R.M.S. TITANIC/MEDALS: "This is a magnificent ship, I feel v...

Hammer

£13,000

R.M.S. TITANIC/MEDALS: "This is a magnificent ship, I feel very disappointed I am not to make her first voyage…I hope eventually to get back to this ship", these words were from David Blair, Titanic's First Second Officer. Unique O.B.E. Group of 9 awarded to Second Officer David Blair, R.N.R., who served with the White Star Line as Second Officer aboard the R.M.S. Titanic during its early development and sea trials. In a last minute re-shuffle amongst the ship's officers at Southampton, he left the ship at the docks, taking the crow's nest telephone locker key with him in his haste (in which the binoculars and telescope were stored). Having unwittingly hampered the ability of the ship's lookouts during its fateful Atlantic crossing, he inadvertently played a part in the ship's sinking on 14 April. A year later he performed a 40-foot dive into the sea from the side of the Majestic to help rescue a member of the crew from the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the Newfoundland Coast, with both being successfully hauled aboard to the cheers of the ship's passengers. For this gallant act he would later receive the Sea Gallantry Medal from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 11 December 1915, comprising: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast badge, in silver-gilt, bearing reverse hallmarks for London dated 1918, with box of issue and award document; Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., silver (Lieutenant David Blair. R.N.R. "Majestic", 6th May 1913.), with original award letter; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. D. Blair, R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals, 1914-1919 (Commr. D. Blair. R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., bearing reverse hallmarks for London dated 1918; France, Legion d'Honneur, Knight's breast badge in silver, gold and enamels; Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Medal, in silver (To Lieut. David Blair. R.N.R. S.S. "Majestic" For Gallant Service 6th May 1913); Royal Humane Society Medal, in bronze (David Blair. 6th May 1913.); The first 7 court-mounted as worn, the final two court mounted on a separate pin, also offered with Mercantile Marine Identity and Service Card, a handwritten 13-page account of his sea rescue, and a full folder of original and copied documents relating to his career, toned, good very fine (9) including a letter written on Majestic 7th May 1913 (illustrated). Sea Gallantry Medal: London Gazette: 9 August 1913 - 'On the morning of 6th May, 1913, whilst the Majestic was in the North Atlantic, a Fireman jumped overboard. Vessel was backed to the place where he was supposed to have gone overboard and after some time he was sighted close to the port bow. Starboard emergency boat was lowered but Mr. Blair, fearing that the boat might not reach him in time, jumped overboard from the port side of the vessel, swam to a lifebuoy which had been thrown overboard, and endeavoured to reach the man with it. He did not succeed, but, although weakened by the coldness of the sea, he managed to point out the whereabouts of the man to those in the boat, who rescued him and then picked up Mr Blair. There was a fog prevailing at the time and the water was very cold.' O.B.E.: London Gazette: 7 January 1918. France, Legion d'Honneur: London Gazette: 28 August 1918 Commander David 'Davy' Blair (1874-1955) was born on 11 November 1874, at Newport, Isle of Wight, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel John Blair and Clementina Blair (née Stewart). He was raised in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland, and joined the Merchant Navy, qualifying as Second Mate on 17 February 1896 and as Second Mate on 29 November 1897 at Dundee (on both occasions). He was promoted to Master on 9 December 1901 at Leith, near Edinburgh.