Rare Tynemouth life-saving medal is going under the hammer

A rare medal presented to an extraordinary life-saver more than 90 years ago is going under the hammer.

Charles Alfred Hill Porter was just 18 when he was awarded the Tynemouth Extension Medal for his bravery when he rescued a girl of around the same age from the sea at Tynemouth in 1922.As well as his life-saving exploits, Charles, from Wolsingham, County Durham, was a keen Himalayan mountain climber and was one of the first Englishmen to climb Mont Blanc, without oxygen or a mountain guide.

His daughter, Helen Holmes, from Rothbury, Northumberland, said: “He was a young man and he didn’t think he’d done anything untoward. As a character, he was very self-effacing."

His medal is being auctioned as part of the Anderson & Garland Fine Art Sale on June 14 and 15. The medal is dated 11th August 1922 and inscribed ‘Palmam Qui Meruit’ around a view of King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth, with a blue ribbon and hanging bar. It is in its original box.

One hundred silver Tynemouth medals were originally made at the request of New York lawyer, EB Convers after he witnessed a rescue in Tynemouth. He was so impressed with the heroism commissioned 100 silver medals to be awarded to people saving lives on Tyneside and Tynesiders saving lives elsewhere.

Once they had all been presented, the ‘Extension’ medals were created.

The medal has an estimated value of £400 although Tynemouth medals have sold for more than £1,000 in the past.