BB Gazette Vol.25 No.4 – The Executive have awarded The Boys’ Brigade Cross for Heroism to Private John Marjoram, 3rd Ipswich Company, for his part in a rescue from drowning at the Ipswich docks. Marjoram’s action was particularly praiseworthy, as though he is only thirteen years of age, without hesitation he plunged, fully dressed, into the water to the rescue of a grown man who had fallen in. He supported the man single-handed, despite his struggles, for four minutes at the imminent risk of his own life, and even when reinforced by another swimmer (a man who was a powerful swimmer and practised in life-saving), Marjoram still continued his assistance for another six minutes until the rescue was finally effected.

Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs, Friday 01 December 1916 

The highest award that a Brigade Boy can obtain is The Boys’ Brigade Cross for Heroism, which is only awarded in cases where boy has not only performed a gallant action, hut has willingly risked his own life in order to do so. This honour has been awarded to Private John Marjoram, 3rd Ipswich Company for his part in rescue from drowning at the Ipswich docks.

Marjoram’s action was particularly praiseworthy, though he is only thirteen years age, without hesitation plunged fully dressed, into the water to the rescue a grown man who had fallen in. He supported the man, despite his struggles, singlehanded for four minutes at the imminent risk his own life, and even when reinforced another swimmer (a man who was powerful swimmer and practised life-saving), Marjoram still continued his assistance for another six minutes until the rescue was finally effected.