BOY SCOUT’S GALLANTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 219, 15 September 1928, Page 3

BOY SCOUT’S GALLANTRY

AWARD OF GILT CROSS The attempted rescue of a nurse from the Hautapu Biver, Taihape, by Scout Erie Stevens, of 40, Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, on January .11 last, has been recognised by the Dominion Headquarters of the Boy Scout movement, which has awarded him the Gilt Cross for gallantry without special risk. This is the third highest honour that can be conferred upon a scout for an act of gallantry. The episode occurred when two nurses of the Taihape Public Hospital were bathing in the river and one of them got into difficulties. Following an unsuccessful attempt at rescue by the nurse’s companion, ?«cout Stevens, who at that time was a member of the Taihape Troop, dived in f illy clothed, but also failed to bring the nurse ashore. She was eventually rescued ‘n a state of collapse by a youth, Frank Sexton, who entered the water without waiting to divest himself of his clothing.

Scout Stevens is now a member of the Victory Sea Scouts, Auckland.