Lot 6272

Description

Pair: Royal Humane Society of Australasia, medal in silver (39mm), inscribed on rev. 'Awarded to / Edward William / Cheeseman / 10th June 1897'; Lloyd's Medal for Saving Life at Sea, medal in bronze (36mm), edge engraved 'Edward Cheeseman 'Sultan'(S) 10th July 1897'. Suspender loose on first medal, toned, very fine. (2)

Edward William Cheeseman A.B., aged 24 years was a life-boat crew member of P. and O. Coy's R.M.S.'Valetta' who rescued the passengers and crew of the S.S. 'Sultan' from drowning in the Indian Ocean on the 10th June, 1897. The 'Sultan', which was in a sinking condition, was being abandoned; two boats from the 'Sultan' had come alongside the R.M.S. 'Valetta', and had been swamped with much loss of life; a boat was lowered manned by the (Sultan) crew of volunteers and they made two trips to the 'Sultan', bringing off about 70 persons, but on account of the heavy sea the boat could not be hauled on board again.