The rare Bristol Docks September 1933 Boy Scout’s Association Gallantry Cross in Silver and Second World War Maritime Artillery Gunner’s group awarded to Lance Bombardier formerly Boy Scout R.E. Alford, Somerset Light Infantry, Territorial Army, and 5th Battery, 3rd Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery, formerly a member of the Boy Scouts with the 123rd Bristol Scouts Troop. Alford was aged 14 when on 10th September 1933 he went to the rescue of a seven year old child, Kenneth William Rundle, who had fallen into the water at the Floating Harbour in the city docks at Bristol. The child, who could not swim, was sinking for the third time, when Alford, heard the cries of other boys and arrived at the scene dressed in his new suit. Without a moment’s hesitation he dived in fully dressed, swimming under a barge to reach the lad. He towed the boy to the bank and both were taken to the river police station. Alford’s chief concern was in the fact that he had ruined his new suit and lost his weekly pocket money consisting of a shilling - the coin apparently slipping out of his pocket as he dived into the water. When his mother arrived with fresh clothing at the river police station he apologised for spoiling his suit, adding: ‘I did not have time to think when I saw the chap drowning.’ He had also rescued a 22 year old man who had got into difficulties whilst bathing at Easton the previous month. Alford was awarded the Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross in Silver, the second highest award of the Association, it being presented to him by the Lord Mayor of Bristol on 20th November 1933. In addition he was awarded the Bristol Humane Society Honorary Testimonial of the Society on Parchment on 18th December 1933, together with a Silver Presentation Watch by the same. Both the Testimonial and the Watch are together with his group of awards.
Group of 5: 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star with France and Germany Clasp; Defence Medal; War Medal; Boy Scout’s Association Gallantry Cross in Silver, reverse with hallmark for Birmingham with date letter ‘H’ for 1932, and engraved: ‘R.W. ALFORD 15-11-33’, this last complete with frayed original ribbon, and top brooch pin, the first four count mounted for display. The Boy Scouts Award also retains the velvet padded cushion from the original case in which it was once presented.
Condition: Good Very Fine.
Together with the following:
Bristol Humane Society Honorary Testimonial of the Society on Parchment, as issued at a Meeting held on 18th December 1933 in order to present a ‘Silver Watch together with this the Honorary Testimonial of the Society inscribed on Parchment be given to Richard William Alford age 14 of 39 Colston Road for having on the 10th day of September 1933 gone to the rescue of Kenneth William Rundle age 7 of 22 Wellington Street Cathay Bristol who was in imminent danger of drowning in the Floating Harbour Bristol and whose life he gallantly saved.’ This signed by the Chairman of the Bristol Humane Society, Charles Hardcastle Abbot, and also the Honorary Secretary. Framed and glazed.
Full Hunter Silver Hallmarked Pocket Watch presented by the Bristol Humane Society to Richard William Alford, silver hallmarks for Birmingham with date letter ‘Z’ for 1924 and makers initials ‘A.L.D.’, and similarly hallmarked on the main body, the inside back plate attractively engraved: ‘Presented by Bristol Humane Society To Richard William Alford Age 14 Years For Saving Life On 10th: September 1933.’ The face of the watch ‘Kemp Bros’ of Union Street Bristol, as is the fitted case into which it is inset. It would appear to be in working order. An attractive and unusual example of a presentation watch. The outer leather lined case is now a little scuffed.
Richard William Alford was born on 5th March 1919 in Central, Bristol, Gloucestershire, and at the time of his gallant rescue of 11th September 1933, was a member of the Boy Scouts with the 123rd Bristol Scouts Troop.
A detailed account of his rescue appeared in the Bristol Evening World on 11th September 1933: ‘Richard Alford, of Colston Road, Easton, dived fully dressed into 20 feet of water, swam under a barge, and rescued a child of seven who was sinking for the third time. Kenneth William Rundle, aged seven, of Wellington Street, Cathay, was playing with other boys in the Grove, near the City Docks, when he fell in. Young Alford heard the cries of the other boys and ran to the spot where he saw Rundle disappearing. Without a moment’s hesitation he dived in fully dressed, swimming under a barge to reach the lad. He towed the boy to the bank and both were taken to the river police station. Dry clothes were brought by their parents and they were taken home apparently unharmed from their experience. Alford’s chief concern was in the fact that he had ruined his new suit and lost his weekly pocket money consisting of a shilling - the coin apparently slipping out of his pocket as he dived into the water. When his mother arrived with fresh clothing at the river police station he apologised for spoiling his suit, adding: ‘I did not have time to think when I saw the chap drowning.’
For his gallantry in reaching Kenneth Rundle, as well as having previously rescued a 22 year old man who had got into difficulties whilst bathing at Easton the previous month, Alford was awarded the Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross in Silver, the second highest award of the Association, it being presented to him by the Lord Mayor of Bristol on 20th November 1933.
In addition he was awarded the Bristol Humane Society Honorary Testimonial of the Society on Parchment on 18th December 1933, together with a Silver Presentation Watch by the same.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, Alford who was by then working as a painter (decorator), then attested for service with the Territorial Army on 19th October 1939, joining as a Private (No.563914) with the 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. He transferred to the 8th (Home Defence) Battalion on 16th May 1940.
He then transferred on 21st November 1942 as a Gunner into the 5th Battery, 3rd Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery, and saw service manning the guns aboard Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships. As such he then found himself on operations during the Battle of the Atlantic and in support of the operations in North West Europe. Latterly with the 5th Maritime Regiment from 2nd July 1945, he was released from service on 2nd May 1946 having latterly been a Lance Bombardier. His military conduct having been described as ‘exemplary’ and his testimonial stated that he had ‘served at sea in the Defence of Merchant Shipping since 1942’. Sold together with a number of original and copied newspaper cuttings, there being a copied image of the recipient amongst the research.