Royal Naval reserve, D.S.O., Great War medal group awarded to Lieutenant Commander Edwin Ryder...

Royal Naval reserve, D.S.O., Great War medal group awarded to Lieutenant Commander Edwin Ryder Large, Distinguished Service Order, George V, with framed conferment dated 12th May 1917, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E., Military, breast badge with framed conferment, British War Medal 1914-20, Mercantile Marine War Medal, Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, Lloyd's medal for Meritorious service, Lloyd's medal for saving life at sea, Royal Humane Society medal, successful, corresponding miniatures to all medals and most with original maker's cases.

In 1928 Captain Edwin Ryder Large, master of the steamer 'City of Harvard', Kidderpore Docks, Calcutta, was recorded as taking his own life with a gunshot wound to the head.

Confirmation for the O.B.E is listed in the London Gazette 21 June 1919 list the 'Lieutenant-Commander Edwin Ryder Large, D.S.O., R.N.R. For valuable services in connection with enquiries into submarine attacks on British merchant ships'.

An Extract from Lloyd's Medals 1836-1989: Awards for courage and Exceptional Services, Jim Gawler, confirms both Lloyd's medals.

'On August 13th. 1919 the Committee of Lioyd's bestowed upon Lieutenant-Commander Edwin Ryder Large, D.S.S., O.B.E., R.N.R. a silver Meritorious Medal in recognition of his gallant conduct on two occasions in 1917 whilst in command of the s.s. 'Karroo', when that vessel was attacked by submarines. Within five weeks of this date an incident took place which earned Commander Large a Silver Medal for Saving Life at Sea.

On the morning of September 16th. 1919 the 'Karroo' was in the Mediterranean, on passage from Port Said to London, when an Indian, named Rumjan Gozorody, fell overboard whilst he was cleaning the side lights on the navigating bridge. Commander Large immediately ordered the engines to be put astern and two lifebuoys were promptly let go by the Third Officer. A boat was then made ready under the direction of the Chief Officer.

The commander manoeuvred the ship quickly, brining her round to near the spot where the man could be seen, feebly struggling in the water. Being a poor swimmer, he had been unable to reach either of the lifebuoys thrown to him, and appeared to be in the last stage of exhaustion.

A rough sea was running and a life-boat could not be launched whilst there was any way on the 'Karroo'. Commander Large, realising the situation, seized a life-belt and plunged overboard to the rescue without removing either shoes or clothing. Carrying the life-belt in one hand, and swimming with the other, he made his way to the drowning man and slipped the life-belt over his head.

Exhausted by his effort, and unsupported by a life-belt, the Commander made his way back to the ship. A line was thrown to him but in the rough sea he was unable to hold on and, after being knocked violently against the side of the ship, he was obliged to swim clear. At this point, the ship now having come to a stop, a boast was safely launched by the Chief Officer, who went away in charge of her. The Commander was picked up first and then Rumjan Gozorody who, by this time, was some distance astern. Both were safely brought on board; the Commander much bruised and exhausted and the Indian unconscious. Restoratives were  applied to the latter and, though he was unable to speak for something over two hours, he was out of danger in the course of the day.

Commander Large also received the Bronze Medal of the Royal Humane Society for this rescue.'

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