Chatfield’s Royal Humane Society Medal
Among the medals awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kyrle Chatfield is a circular medal with a deep blue ribbon. This isn’t a standard military medal. Embossed on the medal is the image of a nude boy with a short cloak on his back. He holds a torch in his right hand, and is blowing onto the torch. Embossed in the curve of the circular medal are the words ‘LATEAT SCINTILLULA FORSAN’ meaning ‘a small spark may perhaps lie hid.’ This is the motto of the Royal Humane Society. Founded in 1774 as the Society for the Recovery of Persons Apparently Drowned, the Royal Humane Society gives out awards to those who have put their own lives at risk to save another. Charles was awarded one of these medals, for his bravery while serving with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
In 1887, the 1st Battalion of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were due to return home following the end of the Third Burma War. On the journey home, a Lance Corporal fell from the ship into the River Irrawaddy. Lieutenant Colonel Chatfield jumped into the river to try and save him, despite having a wounded hand. Charles was joined by Private Mills and Private Staton who tried to help. Unfortunately they were unable to find him. The following year the three men received Royal Humane Society Medals for attempting to save the soldier’s life. Charles received the Silver Medal, and the two Privates were awarded the Bronze Medal.
Charles lived in Wiltshire. He served in the army from 1855 until his retirement in 1892. During this service he was also awarded the other two medals in this set. The middle medal is the Afghanistan Medal and the right hand medal is the India General Service Medal with Burma 1887-1889 clasp.
The Royal Humane Society still exists today, and recognising acts of bravery remains their purpose. Since it was founded, the Society has given out over 200,000 awards. Charles’ medal set is on display the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum.
All images of objects from the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Collection are shared under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), credit to Heritage Doncaster.