Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Geo. Ed. Cluett, 4 December, 1869) nearly extremely fine £120-160

At 3pm on 4 December 1869 at Portsmouth Dockyard, Thomas Bundock, a Joiner, fell into the water as he was knocking off work. He was rendered partially unconscious by hitting his head during the fall and was apparently quickly drowning. George Edward Cluett, an apprentice, aged 16 years, jumped in and held the man's head up until further assistance came. Bundock was taken aboard HMS Monarch for medical attention. (ref. R.H.S. case no. 18444). Cluett was presented with his R.H.S. medal on 17 March 1870 by Admiral A. C. Key. In addition, Cluett was presented with an engraved silver watch for the rescue, the funds for which were subscribed by his fellow workers.

Cluett later emigrated to New Zealand where he married Inez Isabel Maud Peacocke (1881-1973), a teacher, novelist, broadcaster and poet, on 30 June 1920, in the Holy Trinity Parish Church of Devonport, NZ. Cluett died of cancer in 1936.

The medal comes with three original small newspaper cuttings describing the event and the two presentations.