Lawrences Auctioneers of Crewkerne
Lot 671
A ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY MEDAL & GT WAR PAIR. A 1920 award Bronze Royal Humane Society Medal named to Rev H M McL Piercy. British War & Victory Medals named to 116554 Pte H M Piercy R A M C. After service in the Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1, the Reverend Horace Melville McLeod Piercy MA. BA. was serving in Worth Mattravers near Swanage. The disaster of the Treveal on the 9th-10th January off the coast of Dorset, ended in himself and Frank Lander being awarded the RHS Bronze medal. With various copies of the disaster and unnecessary loss of life, after the Captain apparently panicked and ordered the ship evacuated. No lives had been lost until they attempted to row ashore, in the ships boats. All the crew started rowing to Chapmans Pool, when the boats were swamped and without the Reverend Piercy's timely and courageous actions, all would likely have been lost. Many publications over the years have featured the loss of the Cornish owned ship, on its maiden voyage. Many original letters from survivors and families regarding the disaster, are with this lot. A copy of the Reverend Piercy's articles regarding the rescues and losses, is also with this lot. A copper box of the Newlyn type, is also with the lot.
