Description
Rocket Apparatus Volunteer Long Service Medal, GVI, awarded to Harold James.
The reverse of the medal reads, with his name engraved: “Rocket Apparatus Volunteer Medal, Presented to HAROLD JAMES for long service.”
An unusual and scarcely seen medal given for long service with H.M. Coastguard for 20 years of full or part time service.
Originally instituted during 1911 by the Board of Trade, as the Board of Trade Rocket Apparatus Long Service Medal.
Harold James was a Welshman who spent most of his whole life around Glamorganshire. He was a well regarded local in the area of Porthcawl, “One of the most popular playing members of the Porthcawl Bowling Club.”
The James family was “One of the oldest families in the district.”
Born there in Porthcawl on 29th October 1904 he was raised in Newton Nottage, Bridgend, his whole family was from Porthcawl.
As a young man in 1921, he worked as a 16 year old Assistant Miner in the Pentre Colliery.
By 1939 he was living in Porthcawl as a member of the Lifeboat part time as he worked as a Builders Labourer.
He later died in Porthcawl on 23rd December 1976.
Glamorgan Gazette, 2nd May 1947:
“Fire Officer Harold James, New Road, Porthcawl, son of Mr and Mrs A.J. James, has returned home from India, where he has been stationed at Calcutta, Birhare and Assam. Fire Officer James did considerable service in this country in the Blitz with the N.F.S. before going out to India in 1942.
Whilst in Calcutta, Fire Officer James saw a Rugger match in which a well known Porthcawl Rugby Player, Squadron Leader Ken Dunlop OBE, son or Mrs Dunlop, late of Lewis Place, Porthcawl, took part. He also met a frequent visitor to Porthcawl, Mr J Burnett, who is incidentally on leave in Porthcawl at present.”
The award of the medal was recalled in the local Porthcawl Guardian, 22nd July 1949:
“LONG SERVICE MEDAL
A Long Service Medal was presented by Commander H. Smallwood, Royal Navy, H.M. Inspector of Coastguards, on Firday evening last week to Mr Harold Hames, 101 New Road, Porthcawl, who has been a member of the Porthcawl Life Saving Apparatus for 20 years.
The presentation was made after the crew had carried out practice at Locks Common.”
The Porthcawl Guardian would also report on a life saving attempt by him during 1954.
“TRIED TO REVIVE BLACK ROCKS VICTIM
One of the first-aiders who assisted in applying artificial respiration to David Queeley, who was drowned at the Black Rocks, Sandy Bay, Porthcawl, on Saturday August 28th, was Mr Harold James, Warden at the Porthcawl Municipal Caravan Camping Site, Sandy Bay.
He is one of the recognised local experts in artificial respiration, having been trained in the Fire Service and he is now carrying on the good work as a member of the Porthcawl Life Saving Corps (Rocket Apparatus) under the Porthcawl Coastguards.”
Harold was also photographed with Joe Louis the Heavyweight Boxer during 1972 when his holiday to Las Vegas was reported on in the Glamorgan Gazette on 7th July 1972:
“PORTHCAWL MAN MEETS JOE LOUIS
When Mr Harold James, the retired municipal caravan mananger, visited America on holiday he met former World Heaavyweight Champion Boxer Joe Louis.
An enjoyable holiday ended in Las Vegas in a personal chat with Joe Louis, who holds the longest reign of any world Heavyweight Champion.
Mr James of New Road, Porthcawl, was on a tour which took in New York, San Francisco, Los Anegeles, Chicago and Washington.
He said Joe Louis works as a genial greeter at Ceasar’s Palace Hotel and Casino, he chats to clients at the luxurious hotel.
Mr James also met Mr Bill Miller who promoted to the Jerry Quarry – Cassius Clay fight in Las Vegas, and Jack Quarry, Jerry’s Father, who entertained him at the Desert Inn and Country Club.
Mr James said: ‘Last Vegas is great for gambling and entertainment point of view. but as I am not a gambling man, I wouldn’t care to spent more than 3 days there. All one needs is a sackful of dollars.
I though Joe Lewis looked extremely fit. When I told him I was from Wales, the home of Tommy Farr, he was interested.’
Mr James returned to Porthcawl thrilled at having shaken the hand of the man who was heavyweight champion of the world for over 11 years.”
