Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. Including a superb collection of medals to the King’s German Legion, Police Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin and a small collection of medals to the Irish Guards

Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful), (Mr Wm. Bencraft, Chief Officer, P.& O. S. Chusan, 13th Octr. 1852), with silver buckle on ribbon, in case of issue, nearly extremely fine and scarce £400-500

The small Royal Humane Society Medal, more suitable for wear than the large, was formally instituted by the Society in 1869. With its introduction, recipients of the earlier large medal could, if they wished, exchange their medal for the new small type. The above differs from the norm in having the reverse centre inscription engraved rather than embossed.

‘On the night of the 13th October 1852, a carpenter named Higson, employed at the Company’s Docks, New Harbour, Singapore, in passing from the jetty, alongside of which the P. & O. Company’s steamer Chusan, was lying, fell into the sea. Immediately a cry was heard on board the steamer of “A man overboard;” and Benfield, a Steward, who had been suffering from illness for some days past, at once jumped into the water to the rescue. The first officer, Mr Bencraft, who was in his cabin, on hearing the cry, immediately came out, and having fastened a rope to his body, threw himself into the sea to assist, and swam towards the spot where he heard the splashing in the water. The tide was running very strong at the time, and having reached to the extent of the rope, he was obliged to unfasten it and trust to himself. He shortly after gained the spot, where the two men were apparently clasping each other; he caught hold of the nearest, and all three went down together. On coming up, he still retained his hold, until he heard a boat pulling towards them, which he hailed, as the night was dark, and it might have passed them. On the boat coming up, Higson and himself where both rescued, but Benfield could not be seen.
This is not the first occasion on which Mr Bencraft has exerted himself in a similar manner.’

In 1852, P.& O. was granted a contract for the mail service between Singapore and Sydney, Australia. The ships Chusan and Formosa were utilised for the route.