LIFE FOR FRIEND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21971, 24 May 1941, Page 10

LIFE FOR FRIEND

GALLANT SCOUT WINS HIGHEST HONOUR A London lad, seventeen-year-old Scout Frank Davis, of the 11th Bremondsey Troop, gave his life in rescuing a friend during an air-raid. The other day, at Bermondsey, his mother and father received their boy’s award—-the Scout’s V.C. for bravery. In handing over the bronze cross, General Sir John Shea, Scout Commissioner for London, remarked: “I hope this will be some consolation for the deep loss you have suffered.” Proud Record * Scout Davis was a voluntary air-raid warden. His father, Mr F. W. Davis, is a full-time warden as well. Bermondsey has a proud Scout record for bravery in the blitz. Four scouts have given their lives while on duty. Making presentations to 30 local scouts for bravery during enemy air attacks, General Shea said: “Scouts are all on active service.” Recipients of Silver Crosses included Scouts Eric Young, aged 16, and Nick Murray, 16, who got people out of Anderson shelters during a heavy bombardment; Patrol Leader Charles Norris, aged 19, who climbed on to a roof with a stirrup -pump to fight a fire, but was ordered down owing to the danger; Cubmaster W. C. Leach, leader of the local Scout Messenger Service; Scoutmaster G. F. Winmill, now in the Navy, who continued rescue work after giving a blood transfusion; and Scoutmaster E. J. Burges, who carried on shelter concert work although he knew that his house had been demolished.