Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A French Life Saving group of three awarded to Mr. S. Mason-Springgay, for attempting to save the life of a girl from drowning in the English Channel off Boulogne-sur-Mer on 16 June 1928

France, Third Republic, Carnegie Hero Fund Bronze Plaque, 80mm x 52mm, the obverse portraying a bust of Carnegie, the reverse portraying Victory crowning a kneeling hero, and inscribed ‘Aux Héros de la Civilisation Springgay (M) 1928’; French Humane and Shipwreck Society Medal, 42mm, silver-gilt, the obverse portraying Humanity protecting a woman and child, with a shipwreck and lighthouse in the background, the reverse engraved ‘Acte de Dévouement accompli par M.S. Springgay le 16 Juin 1928’ within wreath of oakleaves, with rosette on riband; Boulogne-sur-Mer Humane Society Medal, 50mm, bronze-gilt, the obverse portraying the town’s coat of arms, the reverse portraying Fame, and inscribed ‘A Mr. Sydney Mason Springgay 7 Juin 1931’, generally very fine or better (3) £600-£800

‘At Boulogne-sur-Mer on the morning of 16 June 1928 a Frenchman, described as “war mutilated”, was walking his dog on the beach. The dog went swimming in the sea, which was very rough, and got into difficulty. Its owner went in to save it and was also knocked off his feet by the waves. An English girl, passing by, saw him and went into save him. Although reported as being a good swimmer, she was impeded by her clothing and also got into difficulty herself. Mr. Mason-Springgay then arrived at the scene and went in to help the girl, the man having already disappeared. Despite his repeated efforts to reach her, each time he was thrown back against the rocks, and failed to save the girl. The episode lasted about one hour.’

Sidney Thomas Umfreville Mason-Springgay was born near Calais, France, to British parents, on 22 February 1892 and served as a Purser in the cross-Channel ferries of the South East and Chatham Railway Company, residing in Belgrave Road, Dover. Following the outbreak of the Great War he attested for the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles, and served with them during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 7 October 1915. He was promoted Corporal on 30 September 1916, and Sergeant on 17 October 1917, and was commissioned temporary Second Lieutenant, East Kent Regiment, on 6 January 1918, immediately being ‘attached for duty to a School of Instruction’ in Egypt. He relinquished his commission on 25 April 1919, following the cessation of hostilities.

Following the Great War, Mason-Springgay resumed his career with the ferry company, and was awarded the French Carnegie Hero Fund Bronze Plaque for attempting to save the life of a girl from drowning in the English Channel between Calais and Boulogne on 16 June 1928. He saw further service in the Second World War in the Merchant Navy, first in S.S. Maid of Orleans, operating out of Greenock, Scotland, from September 1941 to October 1943, and then in a succession of other vessels operating out of Southampton and Dover. He retired on 5 March 1957.

Sold with a plaque inscribed ‘Presented to S. Mason-Springay [sic] by the Officers & Stewards Staff of the S.E. & C.Ry. Steamers on the occasion of his marriage. Nov. 1919.’; and a large quantity of copied research.