BEDRIDDEN BOY HERO

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 170, 16 April 1934, Page 16

BEDRIDDEN BOY HERO

Scouts’ V.C. Presented

Lying in bed in Lewisham Hospital one day last month, John Hunt, an Eltham (England) boy scout, was decorated with the coveted Cornweß Badge, which is regarded as the V.C. of the Seont movement. John has undergone 17 operations in the last two years, and the badge, earned for exceptional courage shown in pain and sufffering, was sent him bv the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell. Mr. C. A. Featherstone, the District Commissioner 'for the Royal Eltham Scouts Association, made the presentation, while the surgeon. Dr. J. Taylor, stood at the foot of the bed, afterwards shaking hands with the young bedridden hero and saying, "Congratulations. John.”

To the District Commissioner. Dr. Taylor said: “We are proud of him. lie is an example to others." John’s father and mother were present at the bedside ceremony. Although in hospital, the hoy has not given up scouting, for every Saturday afternoon lie receives instructions in bed from his old assistant scoutmaster, Mr. W. Lunn.

Two years ago. at his first job after leaving school. John fell from a lorry and injured his knee. Complications set in, but although the fight back to health is a long one he is making progress. The Cornwell badge was instituted in memory of Jack Cornwell. V.C., once a London boy scout, for his bravery 1n the Battle of Jutland, in which he was killed.