William John Nutman AM

b. 1856 Lyme Regis, Dorset.  d. 20/11/1933 Woolacombe, Devon.

DATE OF AM ACTION: 19/01/1896 Mediterranean Sea.

William J Nutman AM

William was born in 1856 in Lyme Regis, Dorset, one of two sons of Henry James Coakes and Mary. His father died when he was young, and his mother married a Mr Nutman, and he gained four half brothers. On 2nd July 1880, he married Elisa Coakes in Portswood, Hampshire, and they had two daughters, Marion and Dorothy. After retiring from the sea as a Master Mariner, he lived in Woolacombe, Devon, where he died on 20th November 1933.

 

AM CITATION:

At 2 A.M., on the 19th January, 1896, while the S.S. ” Staffordshire,” of Liverpool, was on a voyage from Marseilles to Port Said, signals of distress were observed to be proceeding from the S.S. ” Aidar,” also of Liverpool, and the “Staffordshire ” immediately proceeded to her assistance. As the ” Aidar ” was found to be sinking fast, three of the ” Staffordshire’s ” lifeboats were at once launched, and with great difficulty, owing to the darkness and the heavy sea, succeeded in rescuing her passengers and crew, 29 in number. At. 6.10 A.M. the only persons left on the  “Aidar” were Mr. NUTMAN (the Master), and an injured, and helpless fireman, whom he was endeavouring to save, and. whom he absolutely refused to abandon. The steamer was now rapidly settling down, and as it was no longer safe to remain near her, the Officer in charge of the rescuing boat asked Mr. NUTMAN for a final answer. He still persjsted, in remaining with the injured man, choosing rather to face almost certain death than to leave him to his fate. The men in the boat were obliged to pull away and immediately afterwards, at 6.17 A.M. the “Aidar” gave one or two lurches and foundered. After she disappeared, Mr. NUTMAN was seen on the bottom of an upturned boat, still holding the fireman. Half an hour elapsed before the rescuing boat could approach, but eventually. Mr. NUTMAN and the fireman were picked up and taken on board the “Staffordshire,” where, the injured man was with difficulty restored by the Ship’s Surgeon.

 

BURIAL LOCATION: ST MARY’S CHURCHYARD, MORTEHOE, DEVON.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD. SOLD AT DNW IN DEC 2016 FOR £14,000.