Scout Association Gallantry Medal, silver, reverse engraved ...

Estimate

£800 - £1,200

Scout Association Gallantry Medal, silver, reverse engraved P. Fleming 28-9-32, marked COLLINS LONDON, hallmarked B G Collins Ltd, Birmingham 1930 and scroll, signed by the Chief Scout Lieutenant General Baden-Powell 1st Baron, inscribed Patrol Leader Percy Fleming of the Whilton Group of evidence that I have awarded him the Silver Cross in recognition of his gallantry in rescuing a boy from drowning in the canal at Whilton Locks, Daventry, on August 13th 1932, dated 28th September 1932, tape repairs, postal tube addressed Revd H Waterworth Rington Rectory nr Northampton  

Provenance: The recipient, Percy Fleming, thence by descent to the present vendor.  

The Northampton Mercury & Herald reported on 28th October 1932 "Brave Scout Honoured Silver Cross for Patrol Leader Whilton Rescue Presentation by District Commissioner... Patrol Leader Percy Fleming of the 1st Whilton Troop was presented at Whilton with the Boy Scouts' Association Silver Cross in recognition of his bravery in saving a boy from drowning in Whilton Locks on Saturday August 13. 
The boy was Eric Collier (11) of Kennington Oval and he had been on a visit to friends at Welton. He went to Welton Locks for the day, and had started to cross one of the lock gates when he stepped back, slipped, and fell into the lock. 
His mother and grandmother... saw Fleming plunge into the lock and with the greatest difficulty bring the boy to safety. His effort was particularly dangerous because the walls of the lock had no hold either to hands or feet, and the boy had already sunk twice. 
The Revd Hilary Waterworth District Commissioner for Daventry made the presentation... at Welton Rectory, before the Welton scouts and relatives of both the boy and Fleming. 
The Revd W H Logan congratulated Patrol Leader Fleming upon his courageous act and spoke of the honours that has come to Welton recalling that Captain Harry Reynolds of Welton Locks was the first man to receive the Victory Cross for capturing "pill boxes" during the Great War. 
The District Commissioner... then pinned the medal on the Scout to the ringing cheers of the other boys and also presented him with a certificate signed by the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell. Later the company were entertained to tea by the Revd W H Logan and Mrs Logan and Miss Logan, who is S.M. of the Troop. The parents of the rescued boy have given Patrol Leader Fleming a gold wristlet watch as "a slight token of their gratitude"