Royal Humane Society Silver Medal 1869

Awarded to Charles Davis Lucas (1834-1914). Obverse: A nude boy with short cloak flying out from his shoulder, blowing on a torch held in his right hand. Legend: 'LATEAT SCINTILLVLA FORSAN'. Exergue: 'SOC . LOND . IN . RESVSCITAT . INTERMORTVORVM INSTIT.MDCCLXXIV'. Reverse: Within an oak wreath tied with ribbon, name of recipient and inscription. Legend: 'HOC PRETIVM CIVE SERVATO TVLIT'. Inscription: 'VIT . OB SERV . D . D . SOC . REG . HVM.' Inscription on edge: 'Lieut. Charles D.Lucas R.N. 21 June 1854 Duplicate'. Suspended by a cusped bar from a dark blue ribbon. Owner had original silver medal gilded. A replacement medal issued to Lucas in 1879. The type introduced in 1869 in a smaller size so it could be worn on uniform. Originally awarded for throwing a live shell overboard from the deck of HMS Hecla, Bomarsund 1854.

Object Details

ID: MED2348
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Life saving award
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Wyon, J.
Events: Crimean War, 1854-1856
Date made: 1879
People: Lucas, Charles Davis; Royal Humane Society
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 38 mm