Albert Medal for Gallantry in saving life at sea presented to Acting Mate Alfred Newman (1889-1984). The medal is made entirely of bronze and consists of a badge in the form of a garter, crowned. In the centre of the badge is the monogram ‘V A’ on an anchor on a blue enamel background. Round the edge of the badge on the obverse is inscribed, ‘FOR . GALLANTRY . IN . SAVING . LIFE . AT . SEA’. The reverse of the badge is inscribed, ‘PRESENTED / BY / HIS MAJESTY / TO/MR ALFRED WILLIAM NEWMAN / ACTING MATE RN / FOR GALLANTRY / IN SAVING LIFE / BY THROWING A BURNING / CARTRIDGE OVERBOARD / ON THE / 10TH OCTOBER 1917’. The badge is fitted with a ring for suspension and a blue ribbon with two broad white stripes. In original case of issue bearing royal cipher GVR.

In May 1903 Newman entered the Marine Society Training Ship ‘Warspite’ and was drafted into the Royal Navy in August 1903. He specialised in gunnery and torpedo work. During WWI he served on HMS ‘Laurel’ at the battle of Heligoland. He was promoted to Acting Gunner in 1915 and appointed Mate of HMS ‘Tetrarch’ in June 1917. The burning cartridge was in the middle of a box of cordite in the magazine, which Newman had to empty. Commander Newman was presented with the Albert Medal for this action by King George V at Harwich in 1918. In April 1919 he was Mentioned in Dispatches while serving in HMS ‘Dragon’ and in December that year was promoted to Lieutenant. In 1939, Newman now a Lieutenant Commander was recalled because of his unique knowledge of boom defence work. Promoted to Commander he was in West Africa from 1941-43 in charge of defending harbours in Gambia and from 1943-45 he was in charge of harbour defence based at Aden, covering the area from Suez to Bangkok. After further service in the Mediterranean Commander Newman retired in 1948. He died in 1984.

In accordance with the Government’s decision of October 1971, surviving holders of the Albert Medal could exchange them for the George Cross. On being returned to the Home Office, the original medal could be presented on behalf of the recipient to a museum of his choice.