South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 24 October 1942

Wombwell Pit Worker’s Gallantry

Thomas Benjamin Moore (46), colliery packer employed at Houghton Main, of 49. Copeland Road. Wombwell, rescued a three years-old child. James Pilling, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Pilling, 32. Wath Road. Wombwell, from drowning in the canal near the bridge in Broomhill Lane on Tuesday.

Mr. Moore’s attention was attracted by the cries of a child on the canal bank about a hundred yards away. From the child’s manner he concluded that there was another child in the water. He vaulted a high fence and, divesting himself of clothing as he ran, dived into the rescue. The water was deep at the spot and he had to go two-thirds of the way across the canal to get to the drowning child.

Eventually he was able to get him to the bank, where he revived him with artificial respiration. The child had been playing on the embankment with a playmate, Harry Eastwood (4), son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Eastwood, 24. Wath Road, Wombwell.

The rescue was witnessed by Mrs. Edith Weston. 40, Park View, Broomhlll Lane, and Mrs. Elizabeth Greenfield, 34, Park View. Mrs. Weston said that knowing she could swim a little somebody fetched her out of the house. When she saw that Moore had got there first she ran round to the other side to help him out. She said. “The child must have been in the water some moments and would undoubtedly have drowned but for Moore’s prompt action.” Two other men were at the water side but could not swim.

Moore told a “Times” reporter that It was lucky he was present. He did not feel very well and therefore was having a day off work. He said the child’s first remark after coming round was “I’ve lost my Wellingtons.” Moore is a widower with children.