Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Peter Brown, A.B., H.M.S. “Dido” 19 Augt. 1879) good very fine £100-140

H.M.S. Dido was off Sierra Leone when, on 19 August 1879, Leading Seaman G. S. Creed fell from aloft into the sea, striking the main yard, hammock netting and accommodation ladder on the way down. Ben Roberts, A.B., Peter Brown, A.B. (21), and G. Bridge, O.S. (21), promptly jumped overboard and swam to him as he rose to the surface, and succeeded in bringing him to the gangway. Creed later died as a result of his injuries received in the fall. A report of the incident was sent to the Admiralty by Lieutenant J. Ashworth Ashworth, R.N. As a result, Roberts was awarded a bronze clasp to an existing medal and Brown and Bridge were each awarded the medal in bronze.

Peter Brown was born in St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 22 September 1874, being advanced to Boy 1st Class in October 1875. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class in May 1876 when on the Boscawen and Ordinary Seaman in February 1877 on the Martin. He attained the rating of Able Seaman in May 1879, serving on the Dido, May 1879-February 1881, May 1881-July 1882, and October 1882-March 1883. During July 1883-October 1885 he served aboard the Jumna. He was discharged to shore on 5 June 1886. Sold with copied service paper, Dido log extract and R.H.S. papers.