British Royal Lifesaving Society Named H. Bernhardt 1904 Medal

The British Royal Lifesaving Society Named H. Bernhardt 1904 Medal is an early 20th-century award issued by the Royal Life Saving Society, an organization founded in 1891 to promote water safety and lifesaving skills in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. This particular medal, dated 1904, bears the name “H. Bernhardt,” indicating it was awarded to an individual for achievement or proficiency in lifesaving activities as recognized by the Society. The medal is typically struck in silver or bronze and features the Society’s emblem and motto, often accompanied by an inscription denoting the recipient and date. Such medals were conferred upon individuals who completed training or demonstrated acts of lifesaving, and they serve as historical evidence of early lifesaving instruction and public safety initiatives in Britain. The piece reflects the broader context of Edwardian-era efforts to formalize swimming instruction and public recognition of civilian rescue efforts.