Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, large silver medal (successful) (Henry A. Cowper Vit. ob Serv. D.D. Soc. Reg. Hvm. 8 Novr. 1858) fitted with a swivel ring and straight bar suspension, with slip bar and top bar with pin fitting, nearly extremely fine £250-300

‘On the 8th of November 1858, a seaman belonging to the Royal Mail Company’s ship Tyne, lying in the Southampton Dock, accidentally fell from the forecastle into the water, between the wharf and the ship, and in all probability would have been drowned but for the gallant and humane conduct of Henry A[ugustus] Cowper, Esq., H.M. Consul at Pernambuco, who immediately jumped from the pier (with his clothes on) to his relief, and after struggling for nearly twenty minutes became exhausted, when Thomas Batchelor, carpenter, jumped overboard to their assistance, and together they succeeded in saving the man. (Ref. Acts of Gallantry by Lambton Young). With some copied related research.

For medals to other members of the Cowper family, see lots 914 and 937.