Lot 2683

Description

Group of Six: Albert Medal for Saving Life at Sea, Second Class; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (EVIIR); Royal Humane Society of Australasia Bronze Medal. Cpl/W.O. W. Borland, Submarine Mining Corps/A.E./11 ASC AIF. Albert Medal engraved: 'Presented in the name of Her Majesty to William Borland, sapper of the partially paid Submarine Mining Corps in recognition of his gallantry in saving a comrade from drowning at Middle Head Sydney on the 3rd April 1891'; Trio impressed '2553 W.O. W. Borland 11 ASC AIF.' (rank on 1914-15 Star shown as S/Sgt); CAFLSM engraved '544 Cpl W. Borland, A.E. 9.6.06' RHS Medal engraved 'William Borland 3rd April 1891.' First and last awards in inscribed cases of issue. Good very fine.

AM: L.G.18 November 1892: 'Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal of the Second Class on - William Borland, Sapper of the Partially Paid Submarine Mining Corps, Sydney, N.S.W. The following is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:- On the 3rd April, 1891, a boat, containing twelve men and two officers, was engaged in submarine mining operations, about half a mile from the shore at Middle Head, Sydney, N.S.W. By the accidental explosion of a 100lb. gun-cotton mine, the after part of the boat was blown to pieces, and the two officers and two of the men were instantly killed, while the others were all more or less severely injured. Sapper William Borland, finding the boat sinking, jumped overboard in order to lighten her, and, whilst holding on to the gunwale, supported Sapper Brentnall, who was semi-conscious. Another of the crew, named Adams, in the excitement of the moment, jumped overboard, but when some yards away, called out for help, as he was unable to swim. Borland at once swam to his assistance, and supported him until a boat arrived from the shore some considerable time after. Borland was nearest to the explosion of any of the crew, and received severe wounds on the face, arms, abdomen, and legs, besides injuries to both ears. He was in hospital several weeks, and could not follow his ordinary work for some months.' Together with original photograph of recipient in AIF uniform; copy of page from the London Gazette of November 1892; original and copies of newspaper clippings relating to the incident and the award of the Albert Medal (some with portraits and illustrations); his obituary from the Railway and Tramway Officers' Gazette and other related research. The partially paid Submarine Miners were originally part of the Torpedo and Signalling Corps which was raised in 1873 as a special company of the New South Wales Naval Brigade. They were transferred to the military branch in 1878. The permanent section of the Submarine Miners was established in 1888. In 1893 following reorganisation of the Corps of Engineers, both partially paid and permanent sections were incorporated into the Engineers, with the whole styled as the New South Wales Corps of Engineers. The Miners comprised No.4 Company based at Chowder Bay and George's Heights.