Orders, Decorations and Medals

Six: J. Shenton, British Army, formerly a Boy Scout from Rugby

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; R.S.P.C.A. Life Saving Medal, bronze (John Shenton, March 4 1921), complete with ‘For Humanity’ brooch bar, in Spink, London case of issue; Rotary Club, Past President’s Badge, Port Talbot branch (John Shenton 1957-58), silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks for London 1957, in Toye, London plastic wallet; Primrose League Badge, gilt and enamel, pin-backed, extremely fine (8) £180-220

Extract from 1921 R.S.P.C.A. Annual Report: ‘Boy Scout John Shenton, Rugby, for saving the life of a runaway horse’.

With copied extract from the Rugby Advertiser of 8 March 1921 which provides further details:

‘A Plucky Scout - On Friday afternoon a Boy Scout named John Shenton, of Lawford Road, aged 16, a member of the Lower School Troop, proved the value of Scout training, combined with grit, in a highly commendable manner. He was cycling from the town in the direction of Lower Hillmorton Road; and on reaching Whitehall Road noticed a run-away heavy horse, attached to a cart, the body of which was tipped and dragging along the road. The animal was galloping madly along the Lower Road, in the direction of the town. The Scout quickly dismounted his cycle, laid it aside, and, as the horse reached him smartly put into practice the Scout method he had been taught to adopt under such circumstances, caught the horse’s rein, and soon brought the excited animal to a standstill. A small crowd of onlookers immediately gathered, whom the Scout requested to lift the body of the cart. He then put right the disarranged harness, calmed the excited horse, and led it quietly back in the direction from which it had come until he met its driver, whom the horse had knocked down and slightly hurt in breaking away. The horse and cart were the property of Mr J. Durham, of West Street. It is highly probable that through this Boy Scout’s prompt and plucky action, serious damage to either person or property in the town was averted, and his performance on this occasion is highly creditable to both him and the troop to which he belongs’.

Second World War Medals in card box with forwarding slip; with riband bar and copied research.