Lot 3779

Description

Exemplary Police Service Medal(EIIR), named to George Herd; The Surf Lifesaving Association of Australia Meritorious Award for Bravery in silver, named: 'George Herd North Steyne Manly 1.4.'34'. First medal in case of issue, impressed. Second medal engraved. Very fine.

Together with: photograph of recipient in uniform, two named lifesaving proficiency medals and a press clipping regarding recipient's participation in the 1954 Redex Car Trial. Extract from the Surf Lifesaving Association of Australia 27th Annual Report 1933-34: Meritorious Awards - Meritorious Award in Silver. George Herd, North Steyne Surf LIfe Saving Club. At North Steyne on 1 April 1934, the late Leon Hermes, a junior member of the North Steyne Club, when bathing about sixty yards from the shore was attacked by a shark. His cry for help was immediately answered by another junior club member, George Herd, who was bathing close by. Herd swam to Hermes and commenced to help him towards the shore. When about half way from where the attack occurred, other club members including C Paton in the belt and Frank Wilkinson and a non-club member, John A Horniman, reached the two lads and assisted them over the remaining distance. Valuable assistance was given by D. G. Soutar, Club Captain, and Frank Farrell. But despite every effort, Hermes died soon after admission to hospital. The Meritorious Awards Committee stated that Herd's action was a splendid example of bravery under the most trying and distressing conditions and recommended that he be granted the Association's highest award. Others who participated were congratulated on their efforts.