Lot 1646

Description

National Shipwreck Relief Society of N.S.W. Bronze Medal, reverse inscribed, 'Awarded/To/James Graham/For An Act Of/Bravery/16th Oct. 1877.', in case. Some toning on case lid lining, medal with a few edge bumps and some areas of oxidation, a scratch on reverse, suspender bracket broken and replaced with a loop, otherwise very fine.

A newspaper report of the incident reads as follows.

On Tuesday morning at about 6 o'clock a woman and her child were saved from death by drowning at the foot of King-street by the courageous act of a fireman aboard the Parramatta steamer named James Graham. It appears that the child was playing on the wharf when it accidentally fell into the water. Its mother happened to be near, and, with true maternal solicitude, at once endeavoured to effect a rescue. The little child was struggling helplessly in the water, when the mother reached over from the wharf and tried to catch its clothes; but her reach was six inches short, and in her agony at the danger of the child, she overbalanced herself and fell into the water. The struggle was most painful. The little infant sought safety in vain in its mother's arms, and the mother in turn strove in vain to keep the child above water. They were both drowning, when Graham, the fireman, manfully plunged into the water to their assistance. He was not a moment too soon; the child was partly insensible, and the mother was sinking beneath the surface. She instantly grasped Graham around the neck, while he lifted the child out of the water. The two were soon brought ashore and promptly attended to by the onlookers. It is said that this is the seventh or eighth case in which Graham has been instrumental in saving life. If, however, this was his only one, his conduct is well worthy of public reward.