British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, large silver medal, by Pistrucci (Joanni Hunt, Surgeon, vit ob serv. reg. soc. hum. dono dat 1834) fitted with ornate silver suspension, minor contact marks, good very fine £250-300

‘Gentlemen, - Having, on the 17th of this month, rescued Mr Pover, Surgeon, from being drowned, I beg leave to submit the following statement for the favour of your consideration:- The accident occurred about 6 o’clock in the evening, midway between the Red House and Battersea. Mr Pover, when bathing, was walking breast high in the river, at some distance from the shore, the water being very low, when he suddenly disappeared. I was myself bathing at some distance from him, and perceiving that he struggled a good deal, when he rose to the surface, and was evidently in great danger, I instantly swam to his rescue, and seizing his left arm, I with great difficulty succeeded in bringing him close to the shore (the tide running at the time), when he suddenly threw himself on his back, and clasping me round the waist, pulled me under water. Conceiving we should both perish, I succeeded in shaking him off, and having swam a few yards to recover myself, I again plunged in to his relief, perceiving that when he rose to the surface he was almost exhausted, and apparently quite black in the face. In my second effort I succeeded in bringing him to shore. He was senseless, and the body presented a livid appearance. Brandy was procured from the Red House as quick as possible, and administered, which, with friction, after some time recovered him. He was then conveyed home, where I attended him, and rendered every assistance in my power. John Hunt, Surgeon’. (Ref. Acts of Gallantry, by Lambton Young).