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The Albert Medal Awarded to Alfred Place

The Albert Medal was awarded to honour people who died while saving the lives of others. Named in memory of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, the medal was first awarded in 1866. 

 

Gold WW1 Albert Medal, with letter 'A' in the centre, hanging from red and white ribbon
Gold WW1 Albert Medal

From 1877 there were two different forms of the Albert Medal, one for those who have saved a life at sea and the other for those who have saved a life on land. The Albert Medal has First and Second classes too, for different levels of bravery. During the First World War 45 First Class and 290 Second Class Albert Medals were awarded.

The Albert Medal was replaced by the George Cross Medal in 1971.


Medal Features

  • The First Class Albert Medal is made of gold, while the Second Class medal is bronze.
  • The medal ribbon is crimson and white striped. The Second Class medal has five stripes, the First Class has nine.  
  • The obverse (front) of the medal has the letters V (for Victoria) and A (for Albert) linked together, surrounded by the word 'For Saving Life on Land'. 
  • The reverse (back) of the medal is engraved with the details of the person the medal was awarded. It reads: 'Awarded by His Majesty in recognition of the gallantry of Petty Officer Alfred Place RN in saving life at the cost of his own life on the 16th June 1916'. 

Case Study: Petty Officer Alfred Place

Alfred and his brother Thomas were born in Leeds. Alfred was already serving in the Royal Navy when the First World War was declared. His brother Thomas joined the West Yorkshire Regiment (Thomas's own story is told on the Meritorious Service Medal page). Before the war Alfred was a champion boxer. He travelled widely during his time in the navy and sent home exotic presents, like a photograph frame from China.

Black and white photograph of a man dressed in naval uniform
Petty Officer Alfred Place

In 1916 Alfred was involved in an accident during his military training, and he died while saving the lives of three other men. This account of what happened was published in the London Gazette on 1 January 1918:

'At Blandford, on the 16th June, 1916, during grenade practice, a live bomb thrown by one of the men under instruction fell back into the trench. Petty Officer Place rushed forward, pulled back two men who were in front of him and attempted to reach the grenade with the intention of throwing it over the parapet. Unfortunately, the bomb exploded before he could reach it and inflicted fatal injuries.

By his coolness and self-sacrifice Petty Officer Place probably saved the lives of the other men.'

As he died while protecting others, Alfred Place received the Albert Medal. His brother Thomas treasured Alfred's medals and photographs for many years, before donating them, along with his own, to Leeds Museum.

  

Detail of inscription on reverse of Petty Officer Alfred Place's Albert Medal
Reverse of Alfred Place's Albert Medal with Inscription

You can also view Alfred's story in graphic form and get a detailed description of the Albert Medal on the WW1 Medals Interactive 'Our First World War Guardians' The interactive includes the five other medal recipients' stories and a 'make your own medal' online activity.

 

Three different gold and silver WW1 medals attached to colourful ribbons
1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Glossary

Awarded - given to honour a good action or piece of work
Donate - to give without expecting payment
Engraved - a surface carved with a design or words
Gallantry - brave or courageous behavious
Gazette - an official newspaper where announcements are made
Parapet - soil or sandbags on top of a trench to protect soldiers from gunfire
Petty Officer -an officer in the Royal Navy equal in rank to a Sergeant in the Army and RAF
Regiment - a group of soldiers