Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Thomas Johnson, Aug. 14. 1903) with bronze buckle on ribbon, good very fine £100-140

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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Extract from a newspaper: ‘Burgh - On Thursday presentations were made of rewards for bravery given by the Royal Humane Society. They were in connection with an event which occured at Burgh [Lincolnshire] on August 14th when a young man named Harry Charlton nearly lost his life through being overcome by foul gas in a well recently sunk in the cattle market. An attempt at rescue was made by Jesse Barker, who succumbed in a similar manner to the effects of the gas. It was then that Thomas Johnson made a brave and successful attempt at rescue and brought both men to the surface. Charlton remained unconscious for some hours, but Barker quickly recovered. P.C. Goodson rendered valuable aid in restoring Charlton’s life by means of artificial respiration and under the care of Dr Matthews, he eventually recovered. The facts having been reported to the Royal Humane Society a bronze medal and parchment certificate were forwarded to the Rev. J. J. White, Vicar of Burgh, for presentation ... Thomas Johnson received the bronze medal and a parchment, and certificates were awarded to Jesse Barker, P.C. Goodson, W. Bromfield, and J. T. Sivel, all of whom took part in the attempts to save life. ...’

The awards were made ref. R.H.S. Case No. 32,861. Sold with newspaper cutting and R.H.S. Casebook extract.