Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Elementary School Swimming Association Medal, Reading and District Branch, 44mm, silver and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Awarded to D. Davis for Rescuing a Boy from Drowning in the River Kennet on July 18th. 1910.’ with integral top riband buckle, very fine £200-300

‘Daniel G. Davies, aged 12, of 105, Belmont Road, Reading, has proved himself to be a little hero. He is a member of the Reading Junior Y.M.C.A. Boy Scouts, and recently he displayed great gallantry in rescuing William Ashman, aged 9, from drowning.
Davies was gathering wild roses by the Old River, a stream which runs into the Kennet, when his attention was called to a boy named William Ashman, who while fishing had fallen into the water from the bank, which is 4 feet above the river. Davies ran to the spot and plunged into the water, which is about 7 feet deep. In the meantime Ashman had sunk twice and was just going down a third time when Davies seized him and succeeded in bringing him from the middle of the stream to the bank. But the brave Boy Scout did not do this without the greatest difficulty, and before he succeeded both he and Ashman went under the water twice. When the bank was reached Davies clutched some grass, but this gave way and both went under again. By this time Ashman was partly unconscious, Davies was exhausted, and if timely help had not arrived probably both would have been drowned.
It was only the week before that Davies had learned to swim properly, although he had been in the water several times previously.

‘On Saturday 6 August the Junior Y.M.C.A. Boy Scouts, who had just returned from Camp, attended at Garrard House, Reading, in strong force, to do honour to Davies and to show him how proud they were that a fellow Boy Scout should perform such a deed. The Mayor, Mr. W. Frame, was also present. His Worship then gave details of Davies’ brave act, and, addressing the Scouts, said: “Well now boys, you are all proud of Davies; the town is proud of Davies” (Cheers and Applause). The Mayor emphasised the need for every boy and girl to learn to swim, and in the event of others finding themselves in difficulties he hoped that they would follow Davies’ example and, without any hesitation, jump into the water and try and rescue those in danger of drowning. The Mayor then presented Davies with the certificate of the Royal Humane Society for an act of bravery, and Davies was loudly cheered as he stepped forward to receive it.
Addressing the lad the Mayor said: “I hope you will live long, and I am sure you will always feel proud to look upon the certificate which will remind you in years to come of the brave act you performed as a boy. I hope you will grow up a strong and brave man. I am sure you will” (more Cheers and Applause). A vote of thanks was then called for the Mayor, and the vote passed heartily.’ (Reading Mercury, 13 August 1910 refers).