Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 21 October 1939

Gallant Rescue

Goldthorpe Youth Rewarded

Two Saved From River Dearne

A remarkable story of gallantry was related at Wednesday’s meeting of Mexborough Urban Council, when the ‘Chairman, Coun. G. S. Morley, handed to a 19 years old Goldthorpe youth, Jack Tingle, of Lincoln Gardens, a Royal Humane Society certificate in recognition of a rescue in the River Dearne at Harlington in April.

A further certificate has been received for George William Haigh, formerly of Grenfell Avenue, Mexborough, in connection with the same incident, but so far he has not been traced.

How Tingle rescued not only a fourteen years old boy, but also a second would-be rescuer, who had become exhausted, was told by Coun. Morley, who said the younger boy, Austin Searle, of Victoria Road, Mexborough, felt himself sinking while in the middle of the river at a spot at which the water was some twelve feet deep. He shouted for help, and Haigh dived in to his assistance. Searle struggled with him, and both went under the surface. Haigh, who was only a moderate swimmer, having difficulty in regaining the surface I through the boy’s struggles. Tingle then came on to the scene, and Searle also struggled with him, dragging him under the water, but Tingle overpowered him and took him to the bank. The youth then went back for Haigh and helped him back to shallow water.

Said Coun. Morley: “It gives me the greatest pleasure to meet such a brave lad. There is no doubt you have been a hero. and I express, on behalf of the Councillors round this table, how much we appreciate your gallantry.” He added that if anyone could help them to get in touch with Haigh they would be pleased to have the information. Asked if he wished to say anything to the members, Tingle said, “Nothing excent that I’m proud to have one of these “