During the summer of 2009 it was decided to honour John lancaster the owner of the 'Deerhound', a man responsible for
saving many Confederate sailors lives and preventing others from becoming Federal prisoners . John Lancaster picked up survivors
from the CSS Alabama's battle with the USS Kearsage in 1864.
However, we were all much surprised to find that John Lancaster did'nt meet the criteria for any presently available
awards so it was decided that new medal should be struck, one that would and could honour men like John Lancaster.
The idea came about after conversations between SCV members neville wantling of Horwich, Lancashire and Jerry Wells of
Richmond, Virginia. With Jerry heavily involved in the organisation and arrangements for striking and Neville concentrating
on design , a high quality well struck medal came into being.
