On 17th August 1973, Richard Simpson of the 1st Shepshed Company, together with two friends Lee Spiby and Phillip Taylor, went for a walk by Blackbrook Reservoir, near Loughborough, and began climbing on the rocks at the side of the water. When Lee was about 30 feet up the rocks he slipped and fell knocking himself unconscious on the way down. He went into the reservoir and disappeared beneath the surface of the water.

Richard immediately dived in and located Lee some 15 feet from the bank where the water is about 50 feet deep. He succeeded in getting his friend to the bank and out of the water. No assistance was available, and Richard has only a very limited knowledge of lifesaving. Had it not been for his swift action the result of this accident would doubtless have been very serious.

The award of the B.B. Cross for Heroism to Richard Simpson was the first since 1969 and the first ever to a Junior Section Boy.