Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The group of six miniature dress medals attributed to Captain A. G. Cubitt, Royal Naval Reserve

Transport 1899-1902, 2 clasps, China 1900, S. Africa 1899-1902; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals; Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R.; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) lacking integral bronze riband buckle, mounted court-style for display purposes, nearly extremely fine (6) £160-£200

George Albert Cubitt was born in Louvain, Belgium, on 22 September 1854. He joined the training ship Conway in 1868 and commenced his sea going career in 1870. He served three years under sail and the remaining 35 years in steamships of the P. & O. Line.

On 1 May 1885, while serving as Chief Officer of the P. & O. steamer Poona, Cubitt saw the chief officer of the S.S. Scam, Mr. R Peters fall overboard whilst his ship was underway in Bombay Harbour. In the fall Mr. Peters broke his leg. Cubitt immediately jumped into the water taking a life belt with him, reached Mr. Peters, and supported him until a steam launch arrived, thereby saving his life. A strong tide was running at the time and there was a danger from sharks. For this rescue Cubitt was awarded the Royal Humane Society bronze medal.

Cubitt joined the Royal Naval Reserve and by 1899 he had completed a year’s training and held a certificate in either gunnery or torpedo; in 1902 he was promoted to Commander. He was awarded his Royal Naval Reserve Decoration on 25 August 1916 (London Gazette 29 August 1916). His ship, the Formosa, was requisitioned as a war transport for both the South African Boer War 1899-1902 and the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900. As a Commander, R.N.R., he subsequently served during the Great War. He died in Westcliff-on-Sea on 4 February 1934.

Note: The recipient’s full-sized medals were sold in these rooms in March 2011.