Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, large bronze medal (successful) (James Fisher Vit. Ob. Serv. D.D. Soc. Reg. Hvm. 16 & 17 June 1856) fitted with ring suspension, good very fine £100-£140

R.H.S. Case no. 15,853: ‘James Tattersall and Jas. Waring. June 16 and 17, the Canal Preston. James Fisher (carpenter), jumped in, on both occasions, and rescued them.’

James Tattersall was 4 years old, and James Waring was 8 years old when they both accidentally fell in to the Preston Canal, Lancashire. The following additional detail is provided by The Preston Guardian of 21 June 1856:

‘We are informed that a worthy and brave fellow named Fisher, a ship’s-carpenter, who lives in Hawkins Street, Preston, succeeded last week in rescuing two children from a watery grave. On the Tuesday, while at work on the Maudlands, he heard a cry of distress from some children on the opposite bank, and observed some bubbles on the surface of the water. With a wonderful presence of mind he darted into the canal, and dragged the unfortunate boy to land. On Wednesday a second case of the same kind occured. We are also informed that last summer Fisher rescued two drowning children from the canal; and some time previous he saved a fellow creature from a watery grave, at the risk of his own life....’

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