Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Carnegie Hero Fund Presentation Pocket Watch, silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1922, with inner cover engraved, ‘Presented by the Trustees of the Carnegie Hero Fund to George Boorman, London, for Heroism in Saving Life, 15th August 1923’, outer case ornately engraved with ‘CHFT’ (Carnegie Hero Fund Trust) cypher, watch interior loose, condition of movement unknown, good condition £200-300

George Boorman, aged 19, a labourer, of Red Lion Street, St. Georges in East London, rescued a boy, aged 12 from drowning in the River Thames at Wapping, London (Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, Case 4078). It was agreed to recommend that the rescuer be awarded a Silver Watch, suitably inscribed.

A Police Report of the incident states, ‘At 2.33 p.m. on 15th August 1923, Henry James Cutler was swimming in the Thames off Union Stairs, Wapping. He went too far out into the tideway, became frightened, called out for help, and disappeared under water for some short time, struggling desperately. George Boorman was working at the loop hole of Standard Wharf, Wapping, adjoining Union Stairs, where a number of boys were bathing, when he heard a cry for help, and then saw a lad in difficulties, struggling and disappearing beneath the surface of the water. He realised the lad was drowning and jumping from the loop hole on to the barge alongside, he dived into the water fully dressed and swam to the rescue of the lad. Seizing him by the hair, under water, he pulled him up, and was himself immediately pinioned by the lad in his convulsive struggles. The rescuer, who was a fairly good swimmer, then trod water, which kept them both afloat until the arrival of a boatman whose attention was drawn to the rescue by seeing Boorman dive into the water. Cutler was unconscious when taken out, but revived after a few minutes artificial respiration had been resorted to by police. The river at this part is 350 yards broad and 31 feet deep in the centre. The rescue took place about 25 yards from the shore in about 10 feet of water. Boorman had to swim 25 yards in order to reach the boy, and, as stated, trod water until the arrival of a boat. The danger to the rescuer lay in the possibility of his being carried by the strong current under barges and ships which were moored near, had not immediate assistance been forthcoming.’ Sold with copied research.