Young Guardians of Life

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 9 (Supplement)

Young Guardians of Life

During lunch time on January 22 last, two girls and a boy, between the ages of 12 and 13, were sliding an improvised toboggan in a snow-covered field adjoining' Cranage Brook at Lostock Gralam, in England. The toboggan reached a high speed down hill and the children were unable to stop before it reached tjie brook, and all three were thrown into the icy water, which was much swollen by the recent snow and heavy-rain. Scout Wesley Jackson, aged 14, who |was near the scene, fully realised the danger the children were in and lost no time in going to their rescue. He pulled one child out of the water where the toboggan had fallen into the brook, and then went to the rescue of the second child, who had drifted a few yards. He made for an overhanging bush and helped that child out. The third had been carried about 15 yards downstieam and Scout Jackson, with much promptness and discretion, climbed on to a branch of a'tree, which was a good way over the water, and, hanging down, pulled the third child, a girl, out, who had been under the water and succeeded in getting'her to the bank. _ In his third rescue he injured his arm and had to have it in a sling, and when asked by his scoutmaster why his arm was bandaged, he was very secretive about the history of the OCCUrrenCe. 11 x i.U For his outstanding gallantry the Boy Scouts' Association has awarded Scout Edward Wesley Jackson, oi: tho 3rd Northwich Group, the Gilt Cross. The Certificate of Gallantry has been awarded to Scout A. Gunn, age U, ot

Cold Ashby Group, Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, in recognition of his promptitude and presence of mind in rescuing a boy, who had fallen through the ;ce at Grange Pit Pond on January 16 last. It was during the children's lunchtimo from school and several were sliding on the ice. The boy -Jumped heavily on the ice and went through. Scout Anthony Gunn, a one-armed lad, stretched himself flat over the ice, caught hold of the boy's little finger and-was able to drag him out. Another scout to be awarded the Certificate of Gallantry is Wolf Cub Peter Mattison, age 11, of the 13th NorthWest Leeds, for assisting to rescue a small child from drowning in Meanwood Beck, Leeds, on August 20, 1935. Lan Airley, aged about two years, had fallen into the beck, had broken a leg and was rendered unconscious. So far as can be ascertained the child was lying face downwards in the water when the attention of Wolf Cub Mattison and Tony Airley was drawn to it. They immediately jumped into the beck, lifted the child out of the water and carried it home. The fact that the two youngsters kept their heads and dealt immediately and efficiently with the situation saved the child's life.