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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 681

(x) The Royal Humane Society small bronze Medal and Great War Medals awarded to Bosun D. H. Fleming, Royal Navy, who served on H.M.S. Iron Duke for the duration of the First World War and was present at the Battle of Jutland

British War and Victory Medals (Bosn D.H. Fleming R.N.); Royal Humane Society, (successful) small bronze Medal (David H. Fleming. R.N. 26th Aug 1914), with bronze buckle and in its Elkington & Co. case of issue, very fine and better (3)

The official 1914 recommendation from the Royal Humane Society Report states:

'On the 26th August 1914, a boy accidentally fell overboard from HMS Iron Duke while that vessel was being coaled at sea. Fleming at once went after him and kept him afloat till they were picked up'.

David Harry Fleming was born on 22 May 1883 at Gosport, Hampshire and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 22 May 1901. He served on a variety of vessels before the First World War, being later promoted to Acting Boatswain on 15 January 1913 and serving on H.M.S. Iron Duke for the duration of the First World War.

The dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Iron Duke was launched on 12 October 1912 and was the Fleet Flagship at the Battle of Jutland, where she inflicted significant damage on the S.M.S. König, and fired a total of 90 twelve-inch shells and 50 four-inch shells during the battle.

Fleming was promoted to Commissioned Boatswain on 15 January 1923 and placed on the retired list as medically unfit on 6 July 1923. Fleming died in London on 26 April 1951.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£180

Starting price
£80