A very fine Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, large, silver and privately awarded Druide Medal group of 3 awarded to John Taylor his bravery in the gallant rescue of the crew of the brigantine ‘Druide’ off Margate on 19th November 1893, when as one of six men he went out to sea in a gale when the regular Coxswain of the R.N.L.I. lifeboat was taken ill and the second Coxswain refused to go to sea. He would later be involved in a second rescue when as a member of the crew of the Motor Boat “Thanet Queen” he successfully rescued two men from a drifting small boat on 16th May 1926 receiving a testimonial and an engraved watch for his efforts.
Group of 3: Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, silver; privately fitted with a clip and ring suspension which can be moved around the disc and housed in its damaged fitted case of issue. (JOHN TAYLOR . WRECK OF THE “DRUIDE” ON THE 19TH NOVEMBER 1893) Attractive Commemorative Coronation Medal 1902 in bronze, unnamed. Druide Medal in non-hallmarked silver, the obverse privately engraved ‘Presented by Revd B Brigg and friends to John Taylor for the gallant rescue off Margate Nov.19th 1893.’
Condition: Sea Gallantry Medal with edge-bruising and some contact wear, thus Very Fine, other medals Good Very Fine
Along with an original photograph of the Thanet Queen in 1926 showing Taylor and the rest of the crew, the card photograph surround damaged but the photograph itself is undamaged.
Testimonial Certificate presented to Mr. J. Taylor in recognition of his gallantry when comprising one of the crew of the Motor-Boat ‘Thanet Queen’ on May 16th 1926, he set out in a very heavy sea and effected an heroic rescue of two lives from a small drifting boat.
John Taylor, a beachman from Margate, was one of six men who was six men who was awarded the Board of Trade’s silver medal for gallantry for rescuing the crew of the brigantine Druide (138 tons) of Cardiff, during a heavy gale on 19th November 1893.
‘On 19th November 1893 the coast of Kent was being battered by a gale from the N.N.E. In the heavy seas, the brigantine Druide of Cardiff, sailing from Cherbourg, became stranded off Margate. The regular coxswain of the R.N.L.I. lifeboat Quiver, John Fox was ill, and the Second Coxswain E. Emptage, refused to go out on the raging seas. The Honorary Secretary of the R.N.L.I. then placed the Quiver in charge of Bowman J. Knight, with lifeboatmen H. Jones as crew. They put out into the bay but were repeatedly beaten back by the frightful seas and returned to the harbour. Another attempt was made but the boat became waterlogged and had to return again to the pierhead. It was then discovered, on inspection of the boat, that the Second Coxswain had allowed her to go to sea without having secured the deck plates. She was pumped dry, the valves shut and plates secured, and a third attempt made to reach the stricken Druide but she was unable to get away and in great difficulty anchored near the Nayland Roack (Subsequently the District Inspector held an inquiry into the case and it was found that but for the gross neglect on the part of the Second Coxswain the Quiver would have been able to reach the Druide. Emptage was immediately suspended and later resigned his position. The Druide dragging on her anchors narrowly missed striking the jetty but grounded on the rocks opposite Fort Point. The Ramsgate lifeboat under tow from a steam tug now came on to the scene but was unable to approach the Druide as she was so close to land and so returned to Ramsgate. At about 10.30, Albert Emptage, master of the Moss Rose, one of Margate’s pleasure yachts, gathered some of the boatman about him and asked for volunteers to man the skiff from the Moss Rose and effect the rescue of the crew of the Druide. Five men quickly volunteered – Edward Whitehead, George Sandwell, John Cox, John Taylor and Arthur Tywman. The yacht’s skiff, a seaworthy 22 foot boat, was launched from the jetty amidst cheers from the hundreds of onlookers. Battling against wind, tide and surf, the boat slowly but surely made its way to the Druide. Receiving a line from the ship; they were able to haul themselves sufficiently close for the crew of five from the Druide, to drop into the skiff. The skiff, bearing both rescuers and rescued then returned safely to shore to the cheers of the crowd.’
All six members of the skiff were awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal for their heroism. On learning of the brave rescue, several letters were received by the editor of the Kebie’s Margate and Ramsgate Gazette transmitting subscriptions for the ‘fearless and heroic men’ of the Moss Rose’s skiff. A local minister the Rev. B. Brigg, coordinated and augmented the donations and from the money each of the six received a silver medal for the rescue.
Later in 1926 John Taylor would participate in another rescue. As a crew member of the M.B. Thanet Queen, he rescued two from a boat drifting in high seas. For his heroism he was awarded an engraved watch and a testimonial, the testimonial reading:
‘This Testimonial together with a solid silver engraved watch publicly subscribed for was presented to Mr. J. Taylor in recognition of his gallantry, when comprising one of the crew of the Motor-Boat ‘Thanet Queen’ on May 16th 1926, he set out in a very heavy sea and effected an heroic rescue of two lives from a small drifting boat.’
