Orders, Decorations and Medals

Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 1st Class, bronze, 2nd issue (C. Humphries, 18.4.50), by Collins, London, complete with brooch bar, in damaged but original Collins, London card box of issue, extremely fine £900-1200

Christopher Humphreys (note different spelling), a Scout from the 33rd Nairobi Group, was awarded a posthumous Bronze Cross on 20 August 1950.

His citation for the award reads, ‘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. Also with 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. For other medals to the Humphreys’ family, see lot 739.