Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Harold Siddall. P.C. 18th. Jany 1916.) with integral top bronze riband buckle, in Elkington & Co. Ltd. case of issue, minor edge nick, nearly extremely fine £140-£180

R.H.S. Case No. 42257: ‘On the 18th January 1916, a man in an attempt at suicide threw himself into the Thames at Chelsea, the depth being 6 feet and the night dark. Siddall went in, and with the help of a buoy succeeded in saving him.’

Harold Siddall was born in Devonport and witnessed early service policing the Royal Dockyard and patrolling the River Tamar in a launch. Transferred to the Metropolitan Police, his brave action on the north bank of the River Thames soon caught the attention of the Chelsea News and General Advertiser on 21 January 1916:
‘Chelsea Policeman’s Plucky Rescue. - An exciting incident at Chelsea Bridge has resulted in serious injury to a plucky police officer. About eleven o’clock on Tuesday night P. C. Harold Siddall 518B, was informed by a young woman that a man had jumped from the parapet. Running down the steps the officer saw the man about mid-stream, and, without a moment’s hesitation, he dived in to the rescue. In doing so he struck his leg against the railings, fracturing his left thigh. Although he was in great pain he stuck to the task, swam out to the man, and brought him safely ashore. Meanwhile another constable had gone off in search of a boat, believing that his comrade would be unable to get back with his burden. The rescued man, a postal official named Peel, was subsequently found to be insane. We are glad to learn that P.C. Siddall is making good progress, though he will naturally remain on the sick list for a considerable time. He is a very popular officer, and before coming to Walton-street he was stationed at Walham Green, where he came in for his fair share of rough handling.’