Bradshaw L -1946

BB Gazette Vol.55 No.1 – The cross for heroism has been awarded to Private Leonard Glen Bradshaw, aged 14, of 7th Johannesburg Company, for risking his life in rescuing a man from drowning in the river Vaal at, Vereeniging on April 21st, 1946.

Bradshaw is a weak swimmer, and is forbidden by his doctor to enter the water because of heart trouble. He was acting as cox in a men’s four-oared race when one of the crew, a man of over thirteen stones weight, collapsed and blacked-out through exhaustion, rolling out of the boat and sinking. Without hesitation Bradshaw fully-clad dived to the rescue, and seized the helpless man as he re-appeared on the surface. Despite the disparity in their weight he supported him and even swam with him towards the motor launch which was racing to the scene.

Bradshaw faced a double risk to his own life in the danger of tackling so heavy a man and in his own physical condition.

Boys Brigade cross for heroism

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This account has been complied using records held in The Boys’ Brigade Archive Collection, local and national newspaper archives and other sources. If there are any omissions or errors we sincerely apologise, and request that you come forward with this information, so that this can be corrected.

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