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Auction: 348 - Orders, Decorations, and Medals e-Auction
Lot: 84

Great Britain. Life Saving Trio to David Irving, Chief Officer of the "British Empire" for actions on May 17, 1902. Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society. Silver Medal. Named on edge: MR. DAVID IRVING CHIEF OFFICER S.S. BRITISH EMPIRE FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY DISPLAYED ONBOARD THAT STEAMER AT ANTWERP ON 17/5/02. Engraved in small sans serif capital letters. In case of issue; Belgian Medal for Civil Merit, First Class. Silver gilt and enamel; and Belgian Royal Rescuers of Antwerp Cross. First type. Gilt and enamels. Accompanied by copies of Irving's Competency Certificates, his service record, news clips regarding his receiving the Gallantry Award and background on the SS British Empire. Extremely Fine.

David Irving (1871-1944) began his sea career at age 15 on the iron-hulled barque West York of Liverpool. He received his Certificate of Competency for Master of a Foreign-Going Ship in 1896, serving on ships for the U.S. trade, Rotterdam and Antwerp. On May 17, 1902, while the British Empire was unloading at the port of Antwerp, six of the crew were overpowered by noxious fumes below hatch Number 3. Irving bound a handkerchief over his mouth and a rope around him and went down the hold. He brought the six men up one at a time. Three of the unconscious men were revived, but the other three had succumbed to the foul gas.

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