MORE ON THE ALBERT MEDAL

Frank Draskovic writes:

Lot 40

AN ALBERT MEDAL GROUP OF THREE, consisting of Albert Medal 2nd Class in bronze, WWI British War Medal and Victory Medal. The Albert Medal (2nd Class in bronze) in original fitted case, engraved to the back "Presented by his Majesty to Arthur Eccleshall for Gallantry in Saving a Life at Bushbury Railway Station on the 2nd October 1908". BWM and Victory named "203972 PTE. A. Eccleshall S. Staffs R.".

Note: Arthur Eccleshall was awarded the Albert Medal for saving the life of a child at Bushbury Railway Station on the 2nd October 1908. Three children were crossing the tracks when Arthur saw a light engine approaching. Shouting to them, two cleared the tracks, the third, however, ran along the tracks in front. In response, Arthur jumped from the platform and managed to lift the child to safety before being struck by the engine, knocking him unconscious in the process. Albert went on to serve in WWI, and spent part of the war as a prisoner of war at Minden. He died in 1958 as a result of a heart attack, which he suffered while watching his beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers play at Molineux, aged 69.

With the group is also a small silver cross, engraved "Merit Medal, presented by Liverpool Weekly Post, to Arthur Eccleshall", together with an extensive array of related ephemera, to include a number of letters from the Home Office regarding the investigation and then eventual awarding of the Albert Medal, telegrams, newspaper clippings and original photographs of Arthur. Also included is a copy of 'Brave Railwaymen' by Allan Stainstreet signed by the author and dedicated to the family of Arthur, dated 25/11/88 (the book gives a full account of the story and award of the Albert Medal)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: RARE ALBERT MEDAL BLOWS PAST AUCTION PRICE ESTIMATE (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n17a21.html)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web