Lot 543

Description

Royal Humane Society of Australasia Bronze Medal, (1874), with ribbon brooch bar, reverse inscribed, 'David Carstairs 1.12.74'. Ribbon damaged, medal toned extremely fine.

RHS Case Nos.4908-4915 - Andrew John Bernard Sutherland, aged 54 years; David Carstairs, aged 51 years; Victor Keith Carstairs, aged 37 years; George Jemmeson, aged 58 years; George James Egan, aged 29 years, all of Lakes Entrance, Fishermen; William Richard Neal, Sale (Vic.), First Constable of Police, aged 35 years; Sidney Foote, Yarragon (Vic.), First Constable of Police, aged 37 years; and Keith William Pyle, Yallourn (Vic.), Constable of Police, aged 24 years, who risked their lives in flood waters during the Gippsland floods on December 1. The fishermen, accompanied by First Constable Neal, had to cross the Morwell River in a boat. The river was in flood, and the occupants of the boat narrowly escaped being overturned, owing to the rush of water and debris. On reaching Moe Constables Foote and Pyle joined the party, and with great hazard rescued a family after rowing through flood waters over trees, stumps and fences which were submerged. In some cases wire fences had to be cut. The flood was six miles wide, and there was a very strong current, which produced great risks, and the boat was in imminent and constant danger of being sunk.

Each man was awarded a Bronze Medal.

With copy of the RHS Case record.