YOUNG HERO'S FAITH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24141, 6 December 1941, Page 16

YOUNG HERO'S FAITH

AT 13 years of age it requires considerable courage to stick to tho task of "helping the fire-watchers" when the fires are actually burning and bombs are falling all round. And to do it, not once, but many times, in the manner that Scout John Cox lias done, shows him to be well worthy of the Silver Cross which has been awarded to him by The Boy Scouts' Association of Britain. During heavy London air raids Cox was on duty as a helper to the firewatchers at his church in Stepney. On one occasion fires were already blazing when a further load of incendiaries fell on the roof of the church. Cox was still at his post, running to and fro and doing all he could to help. Just

as he left the porch beneath the belfry, the bells crashed through the roof on to the spot where he iiad been standing. But he mastered his natural fear and hurried to help in the evacuation of the people in the shelter beneath the church, carrying their belongings and escorting them to safety. On another occasion his courage in carrying, from a blazing sweet factory, tins of glycerine liable to explode at any moment, caused the police to inquire if he was a Scout —as lie was not wearing his uniform at that time. Often the warden in charge has to remonstrate with Cox because of his utter disregard for his own safety when helping others, particularly as the boy ha,s his mother and little sister to look after. But Cox replies with a quiet smile, saying simply, "God will take !care of me."