Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A well documented Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 3rd Class awarded to J. D. Glenny, for saving a man from drowning, South Shields, 7 December 1917

Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 3rd Class (Gilt Cross), 1st issue, 1st type, silver-gilt, reverse inscribed, ‘J. D. Glenny, for saving a drowning man, South Shields Docks, 17.12.17(sic)’, with ribbon; Royal Life Saving Society Medal, bronze, reverse re-inscribed, ‘J. D. Glenny, December 1917’, first with some contact marks, very fine (lot) £700-800

‘On 7th December 1917 Albert V. Dodds was working on the offside of a vessel alongside Messrs. Readhead’s Quay at South Shields, when he overbalanced and fell into the Tyne. In his fall he was hit on the head and apparently rendered unconscious.

John D. Glenny was working on the boat from which Dodds had fallen, and he immediately ran from his fire on deck and dived into the water, a distance of about 8 feet. After swimming a distance of about 15 yards he got hold of Dodds and swam back with him to the ship’s side. One of the workmen climbed down the side of the ship and fastened a rope to Dodds’ belt. Glenny then swam to a launch which had arrived on the scene and was about to be taken on board when the workman shouted that Dodds had sunk again as the belt by which they were pulling him out of the water had broken. Glenny at once left the launch side and again dived and brought Dodds to the surface. Both rescuer and rescued were assisted into the launch.

At the place where the rescue occurred the River Tyne is fully 200 yards wide and about 30 feet deep. There were strong currents running and the water is foul.’

For his brave rescue, John Glenny was awarded the Boy Scouts Association Gilt Cross, The Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal - ref. case 43913 (not with lot) and Carnegie Hero Fund Certificate. It was also reported that because of family circumstances, ‘a sum of £10 was to be sent to Mayor to be applied in the best interests of the rescuer.’
With the following documents:

1. A colourful award document to accompany the Gilt Cross, this named to 2nd Class Scout John D, Glenny, The South Shields Congregational Troop. Awarded the Gilt Cross of the Boy Scouts for ‘Saving a man from drowning in the West Docks, South Shields, on December 7th 1917’, dated 25.1.1918’ [signed] ‘Robert Baden-Powell’ Chief Scout’. Certificate in glazed frame, 53 x 44cm.

2. Carnegie Hero Fund Trust Certificate, ‘Presented by the Trustees in Recognition of Heroic Endeavour to Save Human Life, to John D. Glenny, South Shields, 7th December, 1917’, dated 28 February 1918. Certificate in glazed frame, 49 x 40cm. With Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, annual report, 1918.

3. Royal Life Saving Society certificate, awarded to ‘John G (sic). Glenny, So. Shields Sch. S.A., for knowledge of Rescue, Releasing one’s-self from the Clutch of the Drowning, also ability to render aid in Resuscitating the Apparently Drowned’, dated December 1913’, minor tear marks, in glazed frame, 48 x 42cm. (All dimensions approximate).