ROVER SCOUT JOHN ALFRED ANSELL, 1ST ASHWOOD TROOP, KENT (LATER STOKER 1ST CLASS, ROYAL NAVY). Two: Scout Association Gallantry Cross, 3rd class, gilt bronze, with maker's mark "Collins, London" on reverse (unnamed, as issued) Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Lifesaving Medal, bronze (officially laser engraved naming: ROVER SCOUT J. ANSELL 1ST. ASHFORD TROOP 1925), with its original 'FOR HUMANITY" top suspender brooch. Both medals Extremely Fine, virtually as issued, and in their original cases of issue. Accompanied by an original embroidered Proficiency in Knots scout badge.
Group accompanied by letter from the RSPCA confirming that Ansell's award was for rescuing the proverbial cat. The citation reading "Rover Scout of 1st Ashford Troop, Kent, for climbing a slender pipe and rescuing a cat from a roof." Group also accompanied by an email from the Scout Association confirming that Ansell was awarded the Scout Association's Gallantry Cross for the same incident "rescuing a cat on 18 October 1925", along with biographical details, 1911 census return and 1 page copied Royal Navy service record.
John Alfred Ansell was born 29/9/1907 in Willesborough, Kent, the son of Charles Edward and Rose Ansell. Ansell enlisted into the Royal Navy on 5/12/1925 for 12 years as a Stoker 2nd Class. He is recorded in the 1911 census as a 3 year old child resident in Willesborough with his parents Charles and Rose and his two brothers. After initial service ashore at the Pembroke II naval base Ansell saw service afoat aboard HMS Birmingham from 20/4/1926. He was promoted Stoker 1st Class 28/11/1926, but died as a result of tuberculosis in the Cape Hospital at Simonstown on 29/8/1927, aged 20 years.
