Colonel C. K. Chatfield, Yorkshire Light Infantry, on October 31, 1887, jumped into the Irrawaddy to the help of a corporal who had fallen overboard and was afterwards drowned. Colonel Chatfield's right hand was disabled and bandaged at the time, and he incurred great risk from the force of the current.
Captain G. S. Eyre, Indian Staff Corps, was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society for having on April 15, 1877, jumped into the river at Bhaugulpore with all his clothes on, and rescued a gentleman who had been clasped by a man while attempting to swim across the stream.
Lieutenant-General C. C. Fraser, V.C., C.B., 8th Hussars, was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society for having, on December 31, 1858, plunged into the rapid current of the River Raptee, Nepaul, and saved Major Stisted and four men of the 7th Hussars, who would otherwise have been drowned.
Lieutenant-General G. B. Milman, C.B., was awarded the gold medal of the Royal Humane Society for having, on June 25, 1858, at Mahebourg, Mauritius, swum to shore and, with two other gentlemen, returned in a `pirogue' or small boat and rescued five brother-officers, who had been upset from a boat on a very rough night.
Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Smith, South Staffordshire Regi ment, was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society for having, on November 27, 1884, jumped into the Nile, near Semneh, with all his clothes on, and rescued a bandsman of his regiment, who had fallen from a rock into the river from a height estimated at from sixty to eighty feet.
One Saturday afternoon, at the end of May 1892, two racing fours left Bournemouth Pier for the usual pleasure trip of a pull across to the Dorsetshire village of Studland. Off the Old Harry Rocks,' by Swanage, a squall had been noticed prior to the start, but this having apparently subsided, the disastrous trip began. When off Branksome Chine, and a mile and a half from the shore, the gale overtook them, and both boats made for the shore, only, however, to be swamped by the heavy seas. Then ensued a prolonged struggle for life. In one boat were two members of the Bournemouth Swimming Club, named White and Stroud. They assisted their three companions to gain a hold of the boat, and then swam to shore for assistance. All were eventually rescued, but in an exhausted
condition. In the other boat, which when overturned was farther out to sea, were S. Monks, a well-known amateur swimmer, and S. Whitcher, who could also swim. For over an hour these two brave young fellows stayed by their com panions. They placed oars under their arms and replaced them as the heavy seas washed them from the exhausted lads. One of them succumbed after Monks had repeatedly brought him up and dragged him on to the bottom of the boat, while for another Monks dived three times successfully, but on a fourth occasion lost sight of the poor youth. The remainder managed to keep afloat until rescued with great difficulty by a boat from the yacht Frederick William.' Amongst the many deeds of heroism recorded, that of Sapper William Borland is very remarkable for the manner in which he distinguished himself in rescuing his comrades on the occasion of the Middle Head torpedo explosion, New South Wales, on April 3, 189x. When the explosion occurred, Borland was carried to a great height in the air. On reaching the water he noticed a comrade named Adams struggling near him in a helpless condition. He at once went to his rescue, although very badly burned about the head and face and injured in the arms and legs, and in a most gallant manner supported his comrade until both were picked up. For this courageous act Borland received the Royal Humane Society's bronze medal and certificate on November 18, 1891, and on January 25, Y893, the Earl of Jersey, Governor of New South Wales, presented him with the Albert medal as a further token of appreciation of his bravery.
As an example of the benefits which may arise from teaching the principles of life-saving to children, the following typical case, which occurred a few years back, will be interesting. A Tonbridge schoolboy, named Leonard Miller, who had com peted for the Royal Humane Society's swimming prize, leaped into the Medway in the middle of October and rescued another lad from drowning. Miller swam out with all his clothes on, and after diving, brought up the drowning boy to the surface.