A Great War Sea Gallantry Medal awarded to Seaman R. Davis, Mercantile Marine, for his...

A Great War Sea Gallantry Medal awarded to Seaman R. Davis, Mercantile Marine, for his gallantry in attempting to save life following a fire in the S.S. Colonia at Avonmouth on 21 October 1917 Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (Rudolph Davis. “Colonia”, 21st. October 1917) on original investiture pin, in embossed case of issue, extremely fine £360-£440 --- ‘On 21 October 1917, while the steamship Colonia, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, was lying at Avonmouth, the second officer was overcome by foul air in the lower pockets of the vessel, due to a fire in the forward cross bunker. Seaman Rudolph Davis and Seaman John Mouat went down to his assistance but they had to be brought up in a state of collapse. Although these men had failed to rescue the officer, Quartermaster Robert Burton immediately descended into the pockets with a wet cloth round his mouth and managed to put a rope round the second officer. He then got up to the manhole door, where he was caught and brought on deck in a precarious condition from which he did not recover for some time. The second officer was at once hauled up and taken to hospital where he recovered. Considerable risk was incurred in rendering the services.’ For their efforts, Burton received the Silver Medal for Gallantry, and Davis and Mouat, the Bronze Medal for Gallantry. Rudolph Davis who was born in St. Vincent, West Indies, in 1886 and was presented with his Sea Gallantry Medal by the Superintendent at Dock Street on 23 April 1923.