Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Strathclyde Regional Council Bravery Medal, silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1976 (James Morrison) in case of issue, extremely fine £180-£220

‘The quick thinking of two Mainholm Academy pupils saved a three-year-old boy from drowning when he fell into Ayr Harbour on Sunday. The drama happened at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday night when little Graham Hood was walking with his sister and a friend alongside the south harbour wall near the disused metal railway bridge. Graham, who lives at 107 Green Street, overbalanced and fell into the water. Luckily, his sister’s screams for help were heard by Jim Morrison and Jimmy Johnstone who had been fishing nearby since 2:00 p.m. and they rushed to the rescue.
Sixteen-year-old Jim Morrison dived straight into the ice-cold water and hauled the terrified youngster to the safety of the harbour wall while fifteen-year-old Jimmy Johnstone ran for help. The whole incident was over in a matter of minutes and when the boys got out of the water they dried out in the Pancake House at the corner of South Harbour Street and then Graham was taken to Seafield Children’s Hospital for observation.
Jim Morrison, who swims regular at Ayr Baths, said: “We had been fishing at the South Harbour all afternoon and were thinking of packing up when we heard a girl shouting for help. She said her brother had fallen in the water and I just jumped in.”
Jim and Jimmy are both in their fourth year at Mainholm Academy and they are keen members of Ayr Angling Club.’ (newspaper cutting, with a photograph of the recipient, included with lot refers)

James Morrison was presented with his Strathclyde Regional Council Bravery Medal on 16 November 1978.