BOY SCOUT AWARDS

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 21

BOY SCOUT AWARDS

SILVER GROSS FOR COURAGE BOY SAVES BROTHER'S LIFE [Per United Press Association.} WELLINGTON, September 15. The silver cross of the Boy Scouts’ Association has been awarded to Scout Alan Lawson, of Auckland, for his bravery and presence of mind in saving his brother’s life. Dominion headquarters of tho association announces that Viscount Galway, as Dominion Chief Scout, has approved of this award. Scout Lawson, who is stated to have displayed commendable courage and presence of mind in extinguishing his brother’s burning clothing at considerable risk to himself, is a member of the Wesley Boy Scout Troop, Kiugsland, Auckland. His younger brother 3ps playing near a grass fire pa a

railway enbankmeut when his clothes caught fire. He became enveloped in llames. A worker from a nearby factory saw the child’s plight and tried to assist him, but the terrified boy eluded him and ran away screaming. His brother, Alan, regardless of injury to himself, hurriedly seized a blanket and wrapped it tightly round the boy, rolling him on the ground and extinguishing the flames. In doing so, he himself was badly burned. Doctors said afterwards that his prompt and courageous action had almost certainly saved his brother’s life. His knowledge of what to do in an emergency and his presence of mind were ascribed to his Scout training.

A number of other awards'have also been approved by the Dominion Chief Scout. An honorary medal of merit has been awarded to Mr Alexander Service jun., of Auckland, who recently retired from the office of Metropolitan Commissioner at Auckland and from his position as a member of the Dominion Executive. He has been associated with the Scout movement for some 25 years. An honorary medal of merit has been awarded also to Group Scoutmaster Ralph JYraither Moore, of Dun-

edin. He is the present Dunedin metropolitan secretary, and in 1920 was awarded a of merit for his work at the Dunedin Jamboree. He is Group Scoutmaster of the St* Clair Troop. Scoutmaster A. W. Gordon, of Rotorua, has been awarded a certificate of merit. Scoutmaster of St. Michael A group, he has been actively associated with the movement since before the last war. He was a member of the recent New Zealand contingent to the Sydney Jamboree, and _ trained the bovs for their notable display. The Rev. F. C. Truman, a Scouter ■who has been associated with the movement for more than 20 years, has also been awarded the certificate of merit.