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.