Bravery Recognised

Hutt News, Volume XII, Issue 22, 10 November 1948, Page 14

Bravery Recognised

HUMANE SOCIETY AWARDS

GALLANT TKENTHAMSOLDIER

The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand made the awards during the quarter ended September 30:

Archibald . Dundas Robertson: Letter of Commendation.—A. D. Robertson was driving a taxi with five passengers across the Opotoro Bridge, Raglan, at on June 14, 1947, when it plunged into the river. Robertson escaped from the car and brought to safety one passenger jyho had also escaped, and then, bging unable to reach the car py diving down while swimming, he climbed to the bridge; dived 15 feet to t?ie. water and reached the car, but had to pome to the surface owing to the cold and swift current. He then rngde a second diye from the bridge and was able to pull one of tlie occupants from the car and bring her to the bank. Artificial respiration was tried for over half an hour without success. Robertson had tp work ip darkness and ran a considerable risk of striking floating railings and debris on the surface of the water. Douglas Alexander Ennis: In Memoriam Certificate.—Mr. Ennis wgs a member pf a trawling party at the mouth pf the Ashley River, Canterbury, on January 4, 1948. . When another member of the party, aged 16 years, got into difficulties, Mr. Ellis went tp the boy’s assistance, although hampered by. heavy clothing, and held hirp afloat until help arrived. Mr. Ennis’ bravery in going to tlie boy’s assistance in the swift and treacherous tide saved the boy’s life, but when Mr. Ennis struck out for the shore he sank frtSm exhaustion and was drowned.

Collapse ip JHjrping Scrub Private Murray Sellen: Framed Certificate. —Sellen was ' one of a party of spldiers from Trentham Camp engaged in fighting a scrub fire at Maidstone Park on March 3, 1948. Qne of his fellow-soldiers. Signalman Goodhew, was overcome by smoke {ipd heat and collapsed among the burning scrub. Private Selfen went to his rescue, and, working qp g, gteep face with considerable danger pf slipping down into the gully, Which was filled with flame, brp,ught{ him glear of the flames! and applied resuscitation until Goo'dhew regained consciousness, -all the time bping in danger of ..being cut off by the fire, which had burnt right round aboye him. , Rut for the prompt action of Private Sellen Goodhew would have lost his life.

Patrick Bailey and Gwen Champion: Framed Certificate each. — Patrick Bailey and Gwen Champion, two school children at Kina Peninsula, Nelson, on December 27, 1947, went to the rescue of Mrs. O. E, Austin apd her 12-ypar-pld-daughter, who were out of their depth and in difficulties with an extremely strong under-current; swimming across

against the current Patrick Bailey rescued Mrs. Austin and Gwen Plimpton rescued Miss Austin. The bravery qf the two .children undpubtr edly prevented a double fatality. .