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The Royal Humane Society is a British charity which promotes lifesaving intervention. It was founded in England in 1774 as the Society for the Recovery of Persons Apparently Drowned for the purpose of rendering first aid in cases of near drowning
Further Information"
The First Award
A waterman named Thomas Vincent rescued Thomas, the son of John Joseph, aged about 14 months, living by the Iron Foundry near the Falcon Stairs, fell through a n open trap, into an aqueduct connected to the River Thames.
Medals and awards
Stanhope Medal
Between 1776 and 1998, approximately 135 gold, 1,336 silver and 11,230 bronze honorary medals were awarded by the Society.
The Stanhope Medal was introduced in 1873 and named in memory of naval officer Chandos Scudamore Scudamore Stanhope, and awarded annually for the most gallant rescue to have been rewarded by the Society.
Winners of the Stanhope Gold Medal
Silver Medal: the Society's oldest award introduced introduced in 1775. This medal is awarded to those who have put their own lives at risk to save the life of another; however to a further extent than what would qualify for the bronze medal. This includes, extreme personal danger, a long and arduous rescue, and returning to a dangerous situation.
Bronze Medal: introduced in 1837, awarded to those who have put their own lives at risk to save the life of another.
Police Medal: introduced in 2000, awarded only once per year, to honour the most outstanding act of heroism by a police officer from the United Kingdom.
Although not official awards, the medals are permitted to be worn on the right chest in uniform by members of the British armed forces and civilian services.
Certificates and Testimonials
President's Award: awarded to a young person (less than 18 years old at the time of the incident) who has received an award from the Society, and whose life saving act is considered the most meritorious for the year.
Testimonial on Vellum: awarded when someone has put themselves in considerable danger to save, or attempt to save, the life of another. This award is no longer made from vellum, instead from card.
Testimonial on Parchment: awarded where someone has put themselves in danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else. This award is no longer made from parchment, instead from card.
In Memoriam Testimonials: awarded to the next of kin of a person who has died while attempting to save the life of another.
Certificate of Commendation: awarded to those who have made a contribution toward saving, or attempting to save, the life of another, while not necessarily putting themselves at risk.
Resuscitation Certificate: awarded to people who have effected a successful resuscitation of someone, who was at one stage 'seemingly dead', through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (MMR) and/or heart-and-lung massage (CPR). This award is not given to medically trained medical staff (i.e. doctors, nurses, paramedics) or in cases where resuscitation fail.
Awards no longer instituted
The Large Medal, initially awarded for gallantry in saving life and for the successful resuscitation of those apparently dead as a result of drowning or asphyxiation.
The Small Medal replaced the above and was more suited to being worn on the chest.
The Fothergillian Medal, which was the result of a £500 bequest by Dr Anthony Fothergill, to be used to provide a medal to be presented annually or biennially to the author of the best essay on the prevention of shipwreck, the preservation of mariners, or other circumstances left to the Society's discretion.
Notable recipients
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Edwin Alderson (Bronze Medal)
Colin Albert Murdoch (Bronze Medal)
Alexander I of Russia
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Grace Darling
Edward Haughton (Bronze Medal)
Captain George William Manby (Silver Medal)
Abraham "Bram" Stoker
Matthew Webb (first Stanhope Medal).
Sir Edward Davey
David Hempleman-Adams
Duncan Goodhew
Septimus Ridsdale
Sam Isaacs (Bronze Medal)
The Life Saving Awards Research Society
The Life Saving Awards Research Society was formed in 1987. Its principal objective is to provide information to researchers interested in medals and decorations awarded to civilians and service men and women for bravery and gallantry in life saving.