Description
Board of Trade Medal for Saving Life at Sea aka Sea Gallantry Medal, Large Bronze Issue, Boatman Thomas Stinner for saving life in the sinking of the Ceres and Pausilippo during 1895.
Thomas Stinner known as the “Captain” of Cardiff, Wales, was a long serving Royal Navy Sailor, later Coastguardman, he first joined the Royal Navy at 16 during 1879, and earned this medal whilst a Coastguard Boatman serving in his home of Wales.
During the 1882 Egypt War, he took part in the Bombardment of Alexandria, returning to service in 1885, where he formed part of the small “Nile Flotilla” being one of about 289 Officers and Men seconded for service from 19 different HM Ships, him being borrowed from the Monarch to go “Up the Nile” and attempt to save General Gordon at Khartoum, being aided by about 400 Canadian Voyageurs (although only about 89 remained after their contract was finished halfway there) to attempt to navigate the difficult region.
The Flotilla sailed up to try and save Gordon, but arrived just 2 days late, and as the ships finally approached they could see that it was too late and the city had fallen, Gordon was beheaded and the garrison slaughtered.
As well as being awarded this medal he was advanced through the ranks to become as high as Chief Boatman in Charge by his retirement in 1912, before being interrupted by World War 1, he returned to service to become Chief Petty Officer serving through to 1919 finally being allowed to leave the service 40 years after he was begun his service as a teenager.
Officially engraved around rim: Thomas Stinner “Ceres” and “Pausilippo” 12th January 1895.
An impressive large bronze medal, measuring 58mm diameter.
Neatly pierced at 12 o’clock for wearing, we was a Naval veteran with other medals so likely worn on his breast during his life.
Portsmouth Evening News 21st March 1895 reports on the award:
“Brave Coastguardsmen Rewarded
The Board of Trade have awarded their bronze medal for gallantry in saving life at sea and a sum of £1 each to Samuel Tansley Chief Boatman, John Hynes Commissioned Boatman, Henry Pitman, Thomas Stinner & John Carr Boatmen, of the Goodwick Coastguard Station, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, and also to John Owen Fisherman, in recognition of their services to the crews of the Schooners Ceres and Pausilippo, in Fishguard Bay, on 12th January last.”
His death announced in the South Wales Daily Post 29th January 1936:
“CLYDACH NAVAL VETERAN
Thomas Stinner has died at his home in Vardre-road, Clydach, at the age of 71, He was an old Petty Officer in the Navy, and has travelled the world over.
In later years, before his retirement, he was employed at the Mond Nickel Works, Clydach.”
Also the following obituary from the Western Mail, 1st Feb 1936:
“Late Mr T. Stinner Clydach.
Mr Thomas Stinner of 41 Vardre Road, Clydach, was buried in Codegwlym Cemetery.
Affectionately known as ‘Captain’ by his friends, he had sailed all over the world, and had taken part in the bombardment of Alexandria in 1882 and in the attempted relief of General Gordon in 1885.
He held the Egyptian Medal with 2 bars, The Khedive Star and was awarded a Life Saving medal for gallantry at Goodwick in 1892. He was 73 years old.”
Thomas is mentioned other times, including a photograph of him and his patriotic sons during WW1 who all signed up for service, they mention about him in summary:
“An Eventful Career
Chief Petty Officer Thomas Stinner, the proud father of such gallant and patriotic sons, is a pensioner of the Coast Guards, and, being called up during the mobilisation, is still in harness. He has seen such service in the course of his long and somewhat exciting career, taking part in the Bombardment of Alexandria in 1882 and in the attempted relief of General Gordon in 1885.
He hold the Egyptian Medal with 2 bars, Khedive’s Star, and a Life Saving Medal (this medal), the lateer of which he was awarded for gallantry whilst at Goodwick in 1895.”
Thomas Stinner earned for his services, the Egypt Medal, dated 1882, with a further bar The Nile 1884-1885 for his service with the Nile Flotilla, the Khedives Star, 1882, the sole British War Medal for service in England and the Royal Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.
Thomas Stinner, was a Welshman from Cardiff, Glamorganshire, born there on 2nd January 1863.
He first joined the Navy at just 16 years old as a Boy 2nd Class at HMS Implacable, becoming Boy 1st Class on 27th October 1880.
Becoming of age as Ordinary Seaman on 14th July 1889 and then promoted to Able Seaman on the Monarch on 1st July 1884.
He served on board HMS Monarch from 7th March 1882 – 5th September 1884, taking part in the Bombardment of Alexandria in Egypt.
After a brief period on Invicible he returned to Monarch from 1st October 1884 – 11th April 1885, taking part in the Gordon Relief Expedition.
After further service on a number of Navy Ships, he transferred over to the Coast Guard as a Boatman on 1st July 1895.
Initially spending 4 years at Goodwick, he would earn his Life Saving medal at this time for his gallantry in saving the lives of the sailors on board 2 Schooners sunk close by.
He was moved to Holyhead Station on 1st October 1895, and promoted to Commissioned Boatman on 1st october 1895.
Seeing further service he transferred to the Ireland station at Kingstown and Limerick, followed by the rest of his career on the South of Ireland Station from 1903-1909.
During that time he was promoted to Chief Boatman on 3rd June 1905, followed by his final rank of Chief Boatman in Charge on 15th March 1908.
He would becoming Chief Petty Officer of Coast Guard from 1st April 1910 before retiring finally on 14th December 1912.
However with the outbreak of war not long afterwards his not even 2 year long retirement was interrupted on 2nd August 1914, when he was brought back into service as Chief Petty Officer (CG).
He served out the entire was as Chief Petty Officer Coast Guard until his discharged on 10th March 1919 following the close of the war.
Served at Western Stack Fort at Milford Haven from 2nd Oct 1914 – 20th September 1916.
He finished his service at HMS Arrogant from 3rd May 1918 – 10th march 1919.
