A rare ‘posthumous’ Boy Scouts Association Bronze Cross awarded to Scout C. Humphreys, 33rd Nairobi Group, Kenya, for his gallantry in saving a boy from drowning in a rain filled murram pit at Nairobi on 18 April 1950, during which action he gave up his own life

Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 1st Class, bronze, 2nd issue, (C. Humphries [sic], 18.4.50) with integral top brooch bar, in damaged but original Collins, London, card box of issue, extremely fine, rare £700-£900

Dix Noonan Webb, June 2007.

Christopher Humphreys, a Scout from the 33rd Nairobi Group, was awarded a posthumous Bronze Cross on 20 August 1950. The official citation states: ‘In posthumous recognition of his gallantry in saving a boy from drowning in a rain filled murram pit, Kogeria Estate, Kiambu, Nairobi, 18th April, 1950’.

Christopher Humphreys was the son of Bren and Vera Humphreys. On 18 April 1950, in saving the life of a boy from drowning in a rain-filled clay pit, he gave up his own. For his gallant action he was posthumously awarded the Boy Scout Associations’ highest award, the Bronze Cross. The presentation was made to his parents by the Chief Scout Lord Rowallan, on the occasion of the opening of the new scout training camp in the Ngong Forest, Kenya, in October 1950.

Sold with a glazed and framed bestowal document, named to the recipient and bearing the citation, signed ‘Rowallan’ Chief Scout (1945-59). Together with a copied photograph of Humphreys by a camp fire and tent and one of Lord Rowallan presenting the award to his parents; a copied newspaper cutting concerning the opening of a new scout camp and the presentation of the Bronze Cross; and a cloth ‘Boy Scout’ badge.