Tony Keenan, Bronze Cross
THE LANCASTER GUARDIAN AND OBSERVER, FRIDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER, 1944
SCOUTS' BRONZE MEDAL
Awarded Lancaster 13-years-old Boy
TONY KEENAN, a 13-year-old member of the 5th Lancaster (St. Peter's) Sea Scouts last evening received from the Mayor (Coun. W. T. Grosse) the highest honour which can be awarded in Scouting, the Bronze Medal, in recognition of his bravery on August 7th, when he effected the rescue of a young woman from drowning and also assisted her companion who was also in difficulties to reach reach (sic) shore.
The circumstances which led up to the award of the "Scout V.C." to this young hero, whose parents reside in Sulby Drive, were described to a large and representative audience at the Town Hall. The Mayor presided, and he was accompanied by County Commissioner T. W. Helme, District Commissioner J. Dodds Drummond, and Dr. J. A Tomb. Chairman of the local Boy Scouts' Association.
Rev. Father Conway, who was in camp with Tony and the troop, stated that they were about to get tea when Mr. and Mrs. Keenan, who were sitting on the bank on a tidal part of the river, at a point where the water was 17ft. deep, noticed one of two girls. who were bathing, had got into difficulties. They called for Tony, who responded immediately. He went to the girls' aid and was struggling to get her to the bank when her friend who had also swum out, began to struggle. Although he had been pulled under the water several times, he got both girls to the bank. "I would like to say to him now as I said to him then 'Well done. Tony," concluded Father Conway.
Mr. Helme said "I never felt so thrilled as I do this evening," and Mr. J. Dodds Drummond described the occasion as the most auspicious for Scouts and he hoped for Lancaster.
Pinning on the medal and also handing to Tony his badge and the citation of the incident, the Mayor said his was a very brave act and was a noteworthy example of the value of the life-saving training given to Scouts.
