A WESTRAY WINS BRAVERY AWARD
On the 26th
September 1912 George William Henry Westray won an award for bravery from the Carnegie Hero Fund
Trust in Dunfermline.
The trust was set up in 1908 by
the world famous Scottish born millionaire and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie
to recognize civilian acts of bravery in saving the lives of others, which
resulted in death or serious injury to the recipient. An initial financial
grant is followed by consideration of long-term support. A Certificate and Citation is awarded in each case, and for
outstanding heroism, usually involving sustained or repeated acts of heroism, a
Bronze Medallion, the Trust’s highest honour.
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The Board’s minutes for September 1912 read: GEORGE WESTRAY, fitter, 6 Lewis Place, Rancliffe Street, Nottingham, on 27th May, 1912, rescued a boy, 6 years of age, from drowning in the River Trent at West Bridgford. (Case1137). This case was
reported on 24th July, 1912 by Mr. Richard Bowbanks, 51 Brighton
Street, Nottingham, who forwarded newspaper cuttings containing accounts of
the incident. A police report, along with statements by the rescuer and a
witness of the occurrence, etc.; also particulars regarding the circumstances
of Westray were subsequently obtained. Between 4 and 5 p.m. on 27th May, 1912, a
little boy and girl, aged 6 and 8 years respectively, were walking along the
embankment of the river Trent at West Bridgford, when, owing to a part of the
embankment having been washed away by the floods, the boy fell into the
water, which it is stated would be from ten to twelve feet deep. An alarm was
at once raised. " Two young fellows," the police state, " who
were within reaching distance, never made the slightest attempt to pull the
little boy out, and in a few moments he was carried out some yards from the
side by the very strong current then running." George Westray, who was some distance
away with his two young children, on hearing the alarm that was raised, ran
to the place. Observing the boy about six yards from the side, Westray at
once, without removing any of his clothing, jumped into the river, and
brought him to the bank: The Chief Constable, in concluding his report, adds:
- "There was a strong current, running at the time, and the action of
Westray was very plucky, and the means of saving life." George Westray is a fitter,
but it is stated "his work is very irregular and his circumstances are
rather precarious." He is married, and has two children, aged 4 and 8
years respectively, and is described as a " steady, deserving man." The
case was reported to the Royal Humane Society, and Westray was awarded a
certificate and the sum of 20s. |
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The bronze medallion |
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A later extract reads: George
Westray, 6 Lewis Place, Rancliffe Street, Nottingham, on the 27th May, 1912,
rescued a boy, 6 years of age, from drowning in the river Trent (Case 1137). It
was agreed to recommend that he receive an honorary certificate and the sum
of £5. It
should be noted that £5 was worth a considerable amount in those days. In
addition George Westray’s name was entered in the Roll of Honour of the
Trust, which is kept on permanent display in the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace
Museum in Dunfermline. It contains the names of almost 8,000 men and women
whose heroism has been recognized by the Trust since 1908. |
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