Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Boy Scouts Association Silver Cross group of five awarded to Boy Scout R. W. Alford, later Lance-Bombardier, Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery, for his gallantry in rescuing a 7 year old boy from drowning in Bristol Docks on 10 September 1933 - for his gallantry he was also Commended by the Bristol Humane Society

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 2nd Class, silver (R. W. Alford 15-11-33) with integral top riband bar; together with a Bristol Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum (Richard William Alford); and a silver presentation watch, by Kemp Brother, Bristol, the inside reverse inscribed ‘Presented by Bristol Humane Society to Richard William Alford, Age 14 Years, for Saving Life on 10th. September 1933’, in case of issue, extremely fine (6) £600-£800

Bristol Humane Society: ‘Resolved that a Silver Watch together with this the Honorary Testimonial of the Society inscribed on Parchment be given to Richard William Alford, age 14, of 39 Colston Rod, Easton, Bristol, for having on the 10th Day of September 1933 gone to the rescue of Kenneth William Rundle, age 7, of 22 Wellington Street, Cathay, Bristol, who was in imminent danger of drowning in the Floating Harbour, Bristol, and whose life he gallantly saved.’

Richard William Alford was born in Bristol on 5 March 1919, and at the time of his gallant rescue was a member of 123rd Bristol Scouts Troop. A detailed account of his rescue appeared in the Bristol Evening World:
‘Richard Alford, of Colston Road, Easton, dived fully dressed into 20 feet of water, swam under a barge, and rescued a child of seven who was sinking for the third time. Kenneth William Rundle, aged seven, of Wellington Street, Cathay, was playing with other boys in the Grove, near the City Docks, when he fell in. Young Alford heard the cries of the other boys and ran to the spot where he saw Rundle disappearing.
Without a moment’s hesitation he dived in fully dressed, swimming under a barge to reach the lad. He towed the boy to the bank and both were taken to the river police station. Dry clothes were brought by their parents and they were taken home apparently unharmed after their experience.
Alford’s chief concern was in the fact hat he had ruined his new suit and lost his weekly pocket money consisting of a shilling- the coin apparently slipping out of his pocket as he dived into the water. When his mother arrived with fresh clothing at the riverside police station he apologised for spoiling his suit, adding: ‘I did not have time to think when I saw the chap drowning’. (Bristol Evening World, 11 September 1933 refers).

For his gallantry in rescuing Kenneth Rundle, as well as having previously rescued a 22-year-old man who had got into difficulties whilst bathing at Easton the previous month, Alford was awarded the Boy Scouts Association Silver Cross, and was presented with his medal by the Lord Mayor of Bristol on 20 November 1933.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Alford attested for the Somerset Light Infantry on 19 October 1939, and after three years’ service at home was posted to the Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery, on 21 November 1942. He served for the rest of the War at sea in the Defence of Merchant Shipping, and was promoted Lance Bombardier. He was released to Class ‘A’ Reserve on 2 May 1946, and died in Bristol on 23 July 1988.

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