The Jack Boddington Collection of Life Saving Medals

A life saving group of eight awarded to Corporal V. O. Fuller, Ceylon Planter’s Rifle Corps, late Natal Light Horse
Natal 1906, clasp, 1906; 1914-15 Star trio, these four are all erased replacements; Colonial Auxiliary Forces L.S., G.V.R. (Rfmn., Ceylon Plr. R.C.); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Ceylon (Cpl., C.A.S.C.); Royal Humane Society, Small, bronze (successful), (Victor Fuller, Feb. 26, 1902); together with a privately awarded gold medal from the Marist Brothers College Uitenhage, 15ct. gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1899, 26mm., with engraved inscription ‘Presented to V. O. Fuller by his College Fellows, M.B.C.O., Memento of a plucky deed 26 Feb. 1902’, this last a little worn, otherwise very fine or better (8) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Boddington Collection of Life Saving Medals.

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Ex D.N.W. 5 March 1996, lot 234.

R.H.S. Bronze Medal, Case 31,999: ‘On the 26th February, 1902, a youth got into difficulty while bathing in the sea at Durban, South Africa. Another lad went to his help, but also got into danger, and both went under. Victor Fuller, aged 14, at great risk, swam out and was successful in rescuing both.’

Victor Oswald Fuller was born in Kaniva, Australia, in 1888 and, at the age of 12 relocated with his family to South Africa. It was whilst a student at the Marist Brothers College Uitenhage that he was awarded the R.H.S. Bronze Medal and a special gold medal from his college friends. He subsequently served with the Natal Field Force in the Natal campaign of 1906, and during the Great War with the Natal Light Horse in German South West Africa 1915; German East Africa 1916; and Portuguese Africa 1918, being discharged in 1919. He left South Africa for Ceylon where he became a tea planter and joined the reserve army. He was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service medal in 1929, and the Efficiency Medal in 1939. Fuller later returned to South Africa, in poor health, and died there in 1958. Sold with several original photographs and comprehensive research including a copy of the Natal Medal Roll.