Description Coast Guard Saving Corps Long Service Medal, John K. Haggith, aka Board of Trade Rocket Life Saving Apparatus LSGC. Engraved on reverse: “John K. Haggith” Reverse reading: “THE COAST GUARD LIFE SAVING CORPS” This medal was originally instituted by the Board of Trade during 1911 as the Board of Trade Rocket Apparatus Long Service Medal. It has had a number of names as the Coast Guard has evolved over the last 100 years, first being issued by the Board of Trade, it came under the Ministry of Shipping from 1941-2 followed by the Minister of War Transport from 1942-6 then the Minister of Transport from 1946. The name of the medal changed in 1954 to this variety, reading “Coast Life Saving Corps Long Service Medal” which lasted from 1954-1997. The medal is in excellent condition, sadly John died around the time he earned the medal. He lived in Mundesley a Seaside Village in Norfolk, where he looks to have volunteered with the Coast Life Saving Corps. A 1913 article detailing the local Trimingham Rocket Life Saving Brigade shows a “A. Haggith” as a member who looks to be his father. John Kitchener Haggith, was born during April 1900 in Erpingham or Mundesley Norfolk. He remained in Norfolk for most of his life. His family had been in Norfolk for hundreds of years, being the son of Adonijah Wiliam Haggith, who carried the name of “Adonijah Haggith” for generations. His middle name likely inspired by the Victorian Hero, Earl Kitchener, being prominent at the time of his Birth during the Boer War. John was quite young during World War 1, but did not shy away from service once he became of age. He is one of 3 “Haggiths” on the Mundesley School Roll of Honour: George Haggith of the Kents, was discharged with Rheumatism Sidney Haggith of the R.R., was Killed in France Finally John Haggith, served with the Royal Sussex Regiment. John remained in the Army after the war was over, being still a serving soldier on the 1921 Census. On 29th September 1934, he married Ivy Margaret Green in Erpingham. As of World War 2, in 1939 he was shown as an Auxiliary Postman. He died in his native Mundesley on 26th December 1958.
