ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY patron HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN   president HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA the HON LADY OGILVY GCVO   Brettenham House Lancaster Place London WCZE 7EP Tel: 0171-836-8155 (Reg Charity No. 231469)   [back to Oliver]

ORIGINS

The Royal Humane Society was first known as "The Institution for affording immediate relief to persons apparently dead from drowning", and then as "The Society for the recovery of persons apparently drowned". It became "The Humane Society" in 1776 and was granted Royal Patronage and the prefix "Royal" by George III in 1787.

The Society was formed of a meeting held on 18th April 1774 at the Chapter Coffee House, St. Paul's Churchyard in London. Dr. William Howes (1736-1806), then in practice in Thames Street, and Dr. Thomas Cogan (1736-1818) each invited sixteen of their friends, many of whom were said to have been physicians or surgeons practising between Westminster and London Bridges, to assist them in founding an institution. The lord Mayor of London become the . Society's first President.

Records, including the manuscript of the first Minutes, hove been preserved intact for over 200 years. The original aims grew to include the spreading of knowledge of resuscitation and rewording bravery in the saving of human life. The documents also show that similar work was taking place at about the same time in Amsterdam, Milan, Venice and Hamburg and, a little later, in Paris and St. Petersburg.

NOTABLE AWARDS IN THE PAST

In 1838, while "the fury of the tempest seemed to strike the Longstone Lighthouse to its very foundations", the SS Forforshire broke in two on the rocks. Grace Darling and her father, William, against all odds rowed their small open boot out to the wreck. William managed to land to organise the survivors while Grace stood-off "in the seething waters" to protect the boot until they were ready to embark. Both were awarded special Gold Medals.

Captain Matthew Webb was the recipient of the first Stanhope Gold Medal for trying to rescue a sailor, who had fallen from the rigging in mid-Atlantic. (in 1875, he was the first man to swim the Channel; he was drowned trying to swim the Niagara Rapids in 1883).

In 1971, Thomas Nicol rescued a 5 year aid child from a depth of 32 feet; in 1986, Officer Cadet Rupert Novis rescued a youth from the jaws of a crocodile in the Zombesi river; in 1988, Paul Beriff rescued an insured man from the bottom of a 250 foot cliff while being submerged and buffeted by waves; in 1991, Kenneth Hackney lost his life saving his niece from being hit by a van on a pedestrian crossing.

In 1994, Andrew Peckett, a member of a Skydiving Team taking part in an international event, spotted an unconscious parachutist below him. Diving headfirst for 5000 feet, he managed to open both chutes with seconds to spare. This is illustrated on the back of this leaflet.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

ANYONE MAY SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS by writing either to the Society or to the Police in the area where the rescue or resuscitation took place. However, most of the reports are initiated by the Police because they attend most events where life is at risk.

Within the United Kingdom, Police Chief Constables kindly act as the Society's Honorary Representatives; abroad, Police Commissioners or other officials undertake this role.

The awards are: the Society's Silver or Bronze Medals, Testimonials on Vellum or Parchment, Certificates of Commendation, Resuscitation Certificates, and "in Memoriams". The medals are based on the emblem of a Cherub blowing on a torch, to relight the flame. The original ones were two inches in diameter. However, in 1869 Queen Victoria gave permission for the medals to be worn in uniform on the right breast, on condition that they were reduced to the size of a campaign medal.

THE STANHOPE GOLD MEDAL

Since 1873, in memory of Captain Chandos Stanhope RN (of whom his obituary states that ,"on several occasions he showed a readiness to risk his life for others") this Gold Medal has been awarded annually "for the case of the greatest gallantry during the year". Since 1962, nominations have been open to the Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society, and to the Humane Societies of Australasia, Canada, New Zealand and New South Wales.

FUNDING

The Society has always relied solely on voluntary contributions and there are a number of individuals and organisations who kindly support us. However, as costs rise the Society needs more help.

Donations under the Covenant or Gift Aid schemes have the added benefit of our being able to recover tax; but any amounts in any form, including legacies, are always most welcome.

Some 30-40 cases each month are put before the Committee, consisting of about fifteen members from many walks of life. The list of awards is then circulated to Chief Constables, who make arrangements for public presentations.

For over 200 years the Royal Humane Society has been awarding medals and testimonials (illustrated above) for bravery and skill in saving human life. Each year, approximately 500 awards are mode to people of all ages: about 350 for saving or attempting to save human life involving varying degrees of personal risk, and some 1 50 medical Certificates for restoring life when breathing has stopped. (Awards are not given to professionals in their fields.)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP OR TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SOCIETY, PLEASE PHONE OR WRITE TO THE SECRETARY.

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