Rushden Boy Scout Honoured

Silver Medal Awarded for the Plucky Rescue of a Higham Ferrers Lad

Wm Copson 1911

As reported exclusively at the time in the “Rushden Echo,” Scout W. Copson, of Queen-street, Rushden, recently saved the life of a Higham Ferrers boy, A. Frankham.

Copson, who is 15 years of age, had been bathing at the Wharf, Higham, and while dressing his attention was called to Frankham, who had been seized with cramp while crossing the river. Copson at once dived into the water, and, putting his arm around the lad, who had sunk for the third time, swam with him to the bank. This, as we stated, makes the fourth life Scout Copson has saved. Scout Master F. E. Preston communicated with headquarters of the Boy Scouts, and a reply has been received as follows:-

Scoutmaster F. E. Preston,
1st Rushden Troop Boy Scouts
Rushden, Northamptonshire.

Sir, -- On behalf of Sir Robert Baden-Powell, I have pleasure in forwarding a silver medal in recognition of the plucky action of Scout W. Copson on 7th June, 1911.

I should be glad if you would kindly see that this is handed to Scout Copson, and also if you could let me have his photograph for the Boy Scouts’ Roll of Honour at Headquarters. – Yours faithfully,

J. A. KYLE, Secretary.

The silver medal is in the form of a Victoria Cross, bearing the inscription, “For saving life,” with the Scouts’ motto, “Be prepared.” On the reverse side, Copson’s name is to be inscribed, and the bar will bear the date “1911.”

A beautifully illuminated certificate has also been sent, as follows:-

This to certify that I have awarded to Scout W. Copson, of 1st Rushden Troop, the silver medal of the Boy Scouts.

Reason for award: For saving a boy from drowning in the River Nene on 7th June, 1911.
R. BADEN-POWELL,
Chief Scout.
Dated 7th July, 1911.

Scout-Master F. E. Preston has taken keen interest in procuring the certificate and medal for Copson.

The 1st Rushden Troop will encamp in Lord Ampthill’s park during the August Bank Holiday week, and his Lordship is to be asked to make the presentation of the medal to Copson.

Was this the same lad? He had saved 4 lives by 1911....... see above ....... both lived in Queen-street.

Rushden Echo, 1st Aug 1909, transcribed by Kay Collins A Narrow escape—Whilst playing near the river at Higham wharf on Wednesday afternoon, a lad named Smith, living in Queen-street, Rushden, fell in but was immediately pulled out by a lad named Copson.

Scouting in Rushden