A MODEST Brigg schoolboy went home quietly, if a little wet, in 1952 and made nothing of having just saved a six-year-old from drowning in the River Ancholme.
But when word of his lifesaving deed emerged, it was not long before the tale was picked up by the press.
Cuff Links TiffanyThe hero was Billy Johnson, 12, of Cherry Tree Avenue, who rescued Barry Dent, of Grammar School Road.
Barry and two playmates had been to Sunday School.
Before setting out, the last words Barry's mother said to him were: "Don't go down the river!" But the youngster and his pals did just that, and midway between Brigg and Castlethorpe began looking into the water.
Billy Johnson then heard a shout "Barry's in the river!" and ran back along the bank to where the boy was drifting out into the middle of the Ancholme.
Billy dived in, grabbed Barry by the hair and pulled him to the bank, where Robert Ellis, of Elm Way, Brigg, assisted the rescued.
Barry's parents bought Billy a brand new fountain pen.
Tiffany Jewellery StoreBut the story did not end there. For the following summer, Brigg councillors decided the young lifesaver should be rewarded.
The Lincolnshire Times reported: "Just when it seemed Billy Johnson was to receive no official recognition, along came the Brigg Urban District Council with a decision to present him with something tangible - probably a silver watch.
"It is now 12 months since Billy risked his life to save the boy, for Billy had taken only a few swimming lessons at school.
"But he jumped into the river without hesitation.
"The council drew the attention of the Royal Humane Society to Billy's action, but were told no notification had been received by them inside the three-month time limit, which the society lays down for the award Tiffanys Heart of medals of this kind."
Brigg Urban District Council appointed a sub-committee to purchase a memento, to be paid for by councillors as individuals.
"Then possibly Billy will receive an invitation to attend a meeting to be presented with his memento at the hands of the chairman of the council," the Lincolnshire Times added. The paper by then had uncovered more interesting information.
"Barry's parents searched the Newlands estate to find the unknown boy who had saved their son," it revealed.
"Eventually, they found Billy Johnson, who was saying nothing about the incident."
If you have any nostalgic photos or memories on any topic, send them to Nigel Fisher, Nostalgia, 4/5 Park Square, Laneham Street, Scunthorpe, DN15 6JH, or e-mail nigel.fisher@gsmg. co.uk
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