Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (James Baker, 6 July 1885) lacking integral bronze ribbon buckle, nearly extremely fine £60-£100

Case No 22810:

‘James Baker, Labourer, of Newnham, Winchfield, rescued William Hooker, Plate-layer, of Elvetham, Hants, on 6 July 1885 at Fleet Pond, Newnham.

Crawford and Baker (sic - should read Hooker) went to bathe in the lake, the latter swam to an island some distance from the bank - Crawford was unable to swim & got out of his depth - Hooker went from the island to his assistance when he also sank. Baker seeing that Hooker was unable to save his companion, went in and brought him out; he afterwards recovered the body of the other man.’