Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Victorian campaign and lifesaving group of three awarded to Acting Chief Petty Officer T. Honour, Royal Navy, who endeavoured to save a shipmate in shark infested waters in the Red Sea

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, no clasp, dated reverse (T. Honour, Cap. F’Top, H.M.S. Thalia); Khedive’s Star, 1882; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (Thomas Honour, Qutr. Mstr., H.M.S. Thalia, 5 Feb. 1883), the first with contact marks, otherwise generally very fine or better (3) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals The Property of a Gentleman.

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Thomas Honour was born in Teignmouth, Devon in June 1851 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in February 1866.

Advanced to Able Seaman in November 1870, and Leading Seaman in July 1876, he was serving as a Petty Officer 1st Class in H.M.S. Thalia by the time of the Egypt operations of 1882, and as Quarter-Master at the time of winning his Royal Humane Society award in February of the following year, the relevant records stating (Case No. 21,928):

‘At great personal risk endeavoured to save Frederick Carr from drowning in the Red Sea. Carr was an Ordinary Seaman in the same ship and fell overboard whilst clearing the lead line foul of anchor. The ship was running before a fresh breeze and going under steam and sail at 9 knots. Honour jumped in and supported him but had to let go before the boat arrived. Honour was in the sea for 20 minutes with a high risk of sharks. Body not recovered.’

Honour was finally pensioned ashore as an Acting Petty Officer in June 1889; sold with copied service records.