Cunningham W – 1930
BB Gazette Vol.39 No.4 –The Boys’ Brigade Cross for Heroism has been awarded to Private William Cunningham, aged 13 years, 4th Kirkcaldy Company, for rescuing a small Boy from drowning in the Harbour Basin, Kirkcaldy, on the 17th July, 1930.
William Cunningham was walking along the Harbour when he saw a Boy, who was playing near the edge of the breakwater, overbalance and fall into the Harbour. No one else was at hand, and William at once ran to the spot and, fully clothed, dived into the water. He had learned to swim in the Boys’ Brigade, but had no experience of life-saving drill. The little boy had sunk, but Cunningham succeeded in bringing him to the surface, although hampered by seaweed, and after a struggle he managed to bring the child to safety. By the time they had reached the side, both Boys were very much exhausted, and according to an eye-witness the little Boy would certainly have perished had it not been for William Cunningham’s gallant and prompt action.