Auction Catalogue
Create new listRoyal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (J. V. Parsons, 13th October 1975), mounted as worn, in Spink, London case of issue, extremely fine £100-120
John Valentine Parsons, aged 40 years, a security officer at the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court, saved the life of Miss Maureen Jones, aged 20 years, a printer, at Penge East Railway Station on 13 October 1975. The R. H. S. summary of the incident reads, ‘The saved twenty year old girl was reading a newspaper. She dropped the paper and on bending down suffered an epileptic fit. The platform was crowded and no-one went to her aid except Parsons, who saw what had happened as he came through the ticket barrier. He ran forty yards down the platform, jumped onto the railway line as a train was approaching the station some forty yards away. He reached the girl who was lying face down across the rail. Parsons tried to stop the train by putting up his hand. He then tried to lift the girl onto the platform; but she was too heavy. He then very quickly pushed her backwards so she was in the alcove between the platform wall and railway line. As he did this the girl struggled. Seeing the train was nearly upon them, Parsons attempted to jump onto the platform. He got most of his body on the platform; but his left leg was struck by the train. The saved girl moved and was also struck by the train. Both Salvor and Saved were taken to hospital. Parsons was treated for cuts and bruises. The girl suffered a fractured spine and injuries to the head and arms; but she is expected to make a full recovery’. [Ref. R.H.S. case 75924].
The award of the R.H.S. medal was made on 31 May 1976, a note on the case form states, ‘Lateness due to having been put up for a Sovereign’s award & turned down’. An extract from the notes of a R.H.S. Committee Meeting held on 6 April 1976 states, ‘Parsons, John (Bronze Medal) Sent to Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, New Scotland Yard,... Bronze Medal handed back & Silver Medal awarded’.
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