LIFE SAVING AWARDS
326
A fine Sea Gallantry Medal group of six awarded to First Officer Stephen Wilkinson, Merchant Navy, awarded four
medals for his services at the rescue of the officers and crew of the Bradboyne, in the Atlantic, 6 February 1920
SEA GALLANTRY MEDAL, G.V.R., silver (Stephen Wilkinson “Bradboyne” 6th February 1920) in case of issue; BRITISH WAR AND
MERCANTILE MARINE MEDALS (Stephen Wilkinson); LLOYD’S MEDAL FOR SAVING LIFE AT SEA, 2nd small type, silver (Chief Officer
Stephen Wilkinson, S.S. “Oxonian” 6th February 1920) in Wyon, London case of issue; LIVERPOOL SHIPWRECK AND HUMANE
SOCIETY, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (To Stephen Wilkinson, First Officer, S/S. “Oxonian” for gallant Service, 6th Feby.
1920) with silver brooch bar (lacking pin), in Elkington, Liverpool case of issue; SHIPWRECKED FISHERMEN AND MARINERS ROYAL
BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, 6th type, silver (Stephen Wilkinson, Chief Officer, S.S. “Oxonian”. February 6. 1920) with ‘double
dolphin’ slip bar and brooch bar, in Elkington case of issue, extremely fine (6) £1800-2200
The Bradboyne, of Bedeford, a 5,000 tons cargo steamer, left New York on 29 January 1920 for Cherbourg. During the voyage the ship
encountered very wild weather and about 500 miles N.W. of the Azores the ship’s steering gear broke and became useless. The
Bradboyne was helpless in a terrific sea. She took a heavy list over to one side and her cargo shifted. Wireless calls for aid were sent
out and the steamship Oxonian, of Liverpool (Captain John Wilkinson), came to her aid. In spite of the terrific gale and heavy seas the
Oxonian lowered a boat with a volunteer crew which reached the Bradboyne and took on board a number of the crew. Three times the
lifeboat was driven under the stern of the Bradboyne before she reached the Oxonian’s side and the men taken on board. In the
meantime, another lifeboat had been sent out from the Oxonian and the remainder of the crew of the Bradboyne was taken off. Sadly
the lifeboat was driven under the stern of the Bradboyne and was swamped and the occupants hurled into the raging sea. Four of them
who were able to swim were at length picked up by the Oxonian, the remainder, including six volunteers from the Oxonian were lost.
First Officer Stephen Wilkinson was one of several men of the Oxonian who went over the side of the vessel with ropes in an attempt to
rescue the men in the water. When the first lifeboat had discharged its occupants, it was found impossible to secure it to the Oxonian
and it drifted away to the stern of the Bradboyne. Into this the captain of the Bradboyne and 2nd Officer jumped, they being the last to
leave the stricken ship. The two were picked up by the steamer Monmouth which had arrived after the Oxonian. A total of 13 men of
the Bradboyne were lost.
Stephen Wilkinson was one of 17 officers and men of the Oxonian to be awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in silver for this rescue.
Medals were also awarded by Lloyds, the Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society and the Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners Royal
Benevolent Society. The latter body later voted the rescue the most meritorious and deserving case of the year; as a result of which, the
Emile Robin Trust Award was made to Captain John Wilkinson and First Officer Stephen Wilkinson.
With copied Board of Trade letter of notification of the award of the S.G.M., 10 August 1920; copied forwarding slips for the British
War and Mercantile Marine Medals and copied newspaper clippings.
327
ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY, large silver medal, by Pistrucci (Joanni Hunt, Surgeon, vit ob serv. reg. soc. hum. dono dat 1834)
fitted with ornate silver suspension, minor contact marks, good very fine £250-300
‘Gentlemen, - Having, on the 17th of this month, rescued Mr Pover, Surgeon, from being drowned, I beg leave to submit the following
statement for the favour of your consideration:- The accident occurred about 6 o’clock in the evening, midway between the Red House
and Battersea. Mr Pover, when bathing, was walking breast high in the river, at some distance from the shore, the water being very low,
when he suddenly disappeared. I was myself bathing at some distance from him, and perceiving that he struggled a good deal, when he
rose to the surface, and was evidently in great danger, I instantly swam to his rescue, and seizing his left arm, I with great difficulty
succeeded in bringing him close to the shore (the tide running at the time), when he suddenly threw himself on his back, and clasping
me round the waist, pulled me under water. Conceiving we should both perish, I succeeded in shaking him off, and having swam a few
yards to recover myself, I again plunged in to his relief, perceiving that when he rose to the surface he was almost exhausted, and
apparently quite black in the face. In my second effort I succeeded in bringing him to shore. He was senseless, and the body presented
a livid appearance. Brandy was procured from the Red House as quick as possible, and administered, which, with friction, after some
time recovered him. He was then conveyed home, where I attended him, and rendered every assistance in my power. John Hunt,
Surgeon’. (Ref. Acts of Gallantry, by Lambton Young).
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