BB Gazette Vol.54 No.2 – The Boys’ Brigade Cross for Heroism has been awarded to Corporal Thomas David Stevens, aged 17, of the 2nd Hastings and St. Leonards Company, for saving a soldier from drowning at Hastings on August 5th, 1945.

The man was swimming far out at sea when he was seized with cramp. Casting off his jacket and shoes, Stevens swam to the rescue, followed by a second soldier who turned back as Stevens reached the helpless man. Himself verging on collapse, Stevens had almost succeeded in his task, when the rescued man parted from him and struggled ashore. By now Stevens was in the last stages of exhaustion, and in danger of his life. With difficulty he was got to the beach, where artificial respiration was necessary before his removal to hospital.

This courageous Boy, who is only a moderate swimmer and untrained in life-saving, undoubtedly put his own life in grave jeopardy for the sake of another.