United Kingdom. A Society For The Protection Of Life From Fire, Silver Grade Medal

In silver, engraved "FREDERICK WARRINGTON, HARROGATE. 20th JUNE 1924." on the edge, obverse illustrating a man rescuing a fainted woman, as her young son and daughter stand by at the right, with a fire raging in the background, reverse inscribed "DUTY AND HONOR" within an open-ended wreath of oak leaves and acorns, surrounded by the inscription "THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIFE FROM FIRE 1843", measuring 41.3 mm in diameter, dark patina, edge nicks and gouges, very light contact on both sides, original ribbon suspended from a rectangular framed hanger with pinback, very fine. Accompanied by two printouts: one of page 12 from the Yorkshire Post, dated Saturday, June 21, 1924, documenting the Majestic Hotel at Harrogate fire, the other with two pictures of the hotel burning.

Footnote: The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire was formed in 1836 for the purposes of preserving life from fire by providing fire escapes and attendants at around seventy London locations. In 1865 the Society, including its equipment and staff, was incorporated into the fire brigade run by the Metropolitan Board of Works, which became the precursor to the modern London Fire Brigade. The Society has continued to exist and now recognizes people who perform acts of bravery in rescuing others from the life-threatening effects of fires in the United Kingdom. The recognition of heroism, rather than just life saving was originally suggested by one of the five "specific objects" of the Society which was, "to bestow rewards, at the discretion of the Society, on such persons as shall at any time distinguish themselves by their endeavours to save human life in case of fire". These awards included certificates, watches, monetary awards and in particularly meritorious cases, a medal. The medal was awarded in silver and bronze grades. The Majestic Hotel is an historic hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. It was built by the Frederick Hotels Limited (which owned the Hotel Great Central and Wharncliffe Restaurant, London, the Hotel Russell, London, the Royal Pavilion Hotel, Folkestone, the Hotel Burlington in Dover Bay, the Sackville Hotel, Bexhill-on-Sea and the Hotel Metropole, Whitby). It opened on July 18, 1900 and was designed by the architect George Dennis Martin. On June 21, 1924 the hotel was badly damaged in a fire. The top two stories of the west wing were destroyed, the rooms on the same level along the south front of the main building were damaged, and the dome was destroyed. A French maid became distressed after being trapped on the roof, and a local waiter went onto the roof to prevent her from jumping. She was eventually lowered down by and rescued by the fire brigade.