Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Humane Society, large silver medal (R.H.S. Do. Smith vitam ob restitvtam dono dat 1805) medal glazed, with a silver frame inscribed, ‘Go and do thou likewise’, with swivel suspension, in red leather case of issue, nearly extremely fine £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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Ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, No. 6.

‘On the morning of the 24th of April last (a day singularly memorable as being the Anniversary Festival of the R.H.S.), the daughter of Mr Griffin, a beautiful child, while playing with her companions, fell into a pond, where she was immersed several minutes, until the cries of the others procured assistance; and she was, with much difficulty, rescued from the watery grave. The child was apparently a corpse; the eyes were dim; the lips had assumed a livid appearance; no sensation of heat or motion about the region of the heart; nor did any symptom appear by which I could be induced to give hopes of success to the little sufferer’s distressed parents. Having used the means recommended by the R.H.S. for about twenty minutes, I had the pleasure to perceive symptoms of returning animation; and in about half an hour, her recovery was so far advanced, as to insure my opinion of the child’s being out of danger; and in a few hours sleep restored the patient to perfect health [Signed] Richard Smith’. (Ref. R.H.S. Annual Report 1805).