BB Gazette Vol.42 No.4 – The Boys’ Brigade Cross for Heroism has also been awarded to Private Maurice Frederick William Mallard, aged 17, of the 17th Northampton Company for attempting to save the life of a youth from drowning in the River Nene, Duston, on the 21st July.

Mallard was bathing with a friend. Philip Wright, aged 19. Wright was not a good swimmer, and Mallard had warned him to remain in the shallow water. Wright, however, swam into a deep part of the river and was soon in difficulties and sank out of sight. Mallard swam over and brought him to the surface, but, as Wright was much the bigger of the two. Mallard could not control him, and was twice dragged under until completely exhausted. Another Boy then went to the rescue, but owing to the struggles of the drowning youth, he, too, was dragged under and forced by utter exhaustion to abandon the attempt, in which both he and Mallard nearly lost their lives.

The Cross was presented to Lance-Corporal Mallard by the Mayor of Northampton Councillor Mrs H Hanafy.