Obverse: Bust of Queen Victoria crowned and veiled (left). Legend: 'VICTORIA REGINA'. Reverse Inscription: 'PRESENTED BY THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON FOR GALLANT CONDUCT AT THE BURNING OF H.M.S. GOLIATH 22ND DECR 1875'. Legend: 'THE GIFT OF THE MAHARAJAH OF BURDWAN'. Inscription on edge: 'I. LONGHURST'. Fitted with a ring and a scarlet ribbon.

The 'Goliath' was accidentally set on fire on 22 December 1875 while in use as a training ship for workhouse boys anchored off Grays, Essex. Twenty-three lives were lost including that of a teacher - Richard Wheeler. When the Maharaja of Burdwan read the account in the 'Times' he sent the editor a cheque, with a request to have the medal struck and distributed to those who had distinguished themselves on the occasion. Presented to James Longhurst, one of the boy trainees, mainly drawn from workhouses in Hackney, Poplar, Whitechapel and Forest Gate. Being a good swimmer (the establishment had a 60 foot pool) he responded to the Captain's request for volunteers to swim to the launch moored between the ship and the shore. Longhurst and another boy, Murphy, reached the launch but could not get on board because of her height out of the water. They abandoned the attempt and swam ashore. He began a life at sea, shortly after the fire.