Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards - Royal Hu

Lot 3173    SESSION 11 (2.30PM WEDNESDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER)    Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards - Royal Huma

Estimate $2,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND, type I medal struck in bronze (60x40mm), no maker, swivel pin suspender, ribbon and bar with pin-back, reverse inscribed 'Awarded To/Allan (sic) Leonard/In Recognition Of/An Act/Of Bravery/1913' (O&D.126). Good extremely fine, in original gold lettered case of issue.

Together with Auckland Competitions Society silver medals (44mm) (3) awarded to Alan Leonard for Recitation (2) and Sight Reading; a newspaper cutting regarding the rescue from "The Star" 26 March 1913 and an Otago Hockey Association (Otago v Australia) 1922 fob medal for best all round player, handcrafted in gold (15ct, 10.7g, 38x35mm), inscribed to 'F.R.L.' and dated 13.9.22'.

The following Courtesy Wills - 'Zelandias Brave':

"Case 357
Alan Leonard
Bronze Medal

On 24 March 1913, Myrtle Wood, with several other girls, was bathing close to the channel at Greymouth (sic), when herself and one of the party, Annie Clark, finding themselves out of their depths, clutched hold of each other and both girls sank. Alan Leonard, 13, who was on the bank, grasping the situation, sprang into the water and swam to the girls' assistance. He reached them as they sank for the second time, and after much difficulty, succeeded in getting them ashore. Had it not been for the plucky action of this boy, both girls would have been drowned."

An article in the Auckland Star at the time (26 March 1913) reported as follows. The report is in conflict with the Royal Humane Society citation above (courtesy National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past):

"RESCUED FROM DROWNING.

LAD'S PLUCKY ACT,

A somewhat sensational incident occurred on Easter Monday at Weymouth Beach, which is situated on the Manukau Harbour about three miles from Manurewa. The Papakura Anglican Church was holding a picnic there, and about noon, when a number of the young people were bathing, Miss Woods, daughter of tbe vicar, had the misfortune to slip off a ledge of rock into deep water, and was soon seen to be in difficulties. There were between thirty and forty people on the beach at the time, but to a lad who reached the age of 13 last December is due the honour of having rescued the young lady, who is about 17 years old. Alan Leonard (son of Mr. T.H.Leonard) saw the dangerous plight of Miss Wood, and he at once swam out to her assistance. Getting hold of her hair he began to bring her to the shore. Miss Wood, as most people do when in difficulties in the water, tried to get hold of the lad, but he, having been taught life-saving, had the good sense to keep her head under water, and thus managed to reach the shore safely, where ready assistance was waiting to mitigate any dangers from the sudden immersion. The Rev. Woods wanted to make a presentation to the lad for saving his daughter, but this was courteously declined by Mr. Leonard, who said that his son required no reward for simply doing what was the duty of everyone, namely, to rescue another when in danger."