Royal Humane Society - Medals and Awards

Medals and Awards

Between 1776 and 1998, approximately 135 gold, 1,336 silver and 11,230 bronze honorary medals were awarded by the Society. These included:

• The Large Medal, which was some two inches in diameter, in gold, silver or bronze, which was initially awarded for gallantry in saving life and for the successfully resuscitation of those apparently dead as a result of drowning or asphyxiation.
• The Small Medal was one and a half inches in diameter version, which replaced the above and was more suited to being worn on the chest.
• The Stanhope Medal, which was introduced in 1873 and named in memory of naval officer Chandos Scudamore Scudamore Stanhope, and awarded annually for the most gallant rescue to have been rewarded by the Society. It is made of 9 carat gold.
• The Fothergillian Medal, which was the result of a £500 bequest by Dr Anthony Fothergill, the interest on which was to be used to provide a medal to be presented annually or biennially to the author of the best essay on the prevention of shipwreck, the preservation of mariners, or other circumstances left to the Society's discretion. It is no longer awarded.