Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Mrs Eileen Hutchinson, 10th May 1935) with bronze buckle on ribbon, nearly extremely fine £120-160

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

View
Collection

‘At 10 o’clock on the night of 10 May 1935, a 24 year-old woman attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the River Thames at Maidenhead, at a point where the river was 110 yards wide with a strong current. Her cries were heard by Mrs Hutchinson, who was alone in her house, and she rushed onto the towpath, took off her skirt and dived into the water. Unable to see the victim in the darkness, Mrs Hutchinson swam in the direction of her cries, locating her some eight yards out in water ten feet deep. After a severe struggle, she managed to drag the victim first to an island, and from there later to the shore’ (Ref. R.H.S. Case No. 53,176).

Sold with copied extract from the R.H.S. Casebook and a copied extract from the Maidenhead Advertiser, 15 May 1935, entitled, ‘Thrilling River Rescue, Young Nurse saved by Maidenhead Lady’ - ‘There was a thrilling and brave rescue from the Thames near Boulter’s Lock about 10.30 p.m. on Friday. When Mrs E. Hutchinson, of “Romani”, Maidenhead Court, was sitting in her drawing-room, she heard screams from the river. She dashed to the bank, and, slipping off her dress, dived in to the rescue of Miss Christina Ingledew, a 24 year-old Wimbledon nurse. ... “I saw the young woman’s head just above the water. She was going rapidly downstream shouting, ‘Come, come! I am drowning!’ said Mrs Hutchinson. “Luckily, the girl did not struggle, and when I got her to the bank I took her into my house and rang up the police.” The borough ambulance was called, and the girl was taken to the Public Assistance Institution. ...’