South Yorkshire Times, June 2nd 1933
Wombwell Hero
Thrilling Rescue From Trent
Woman Saved
Mr. Thomas Henry Bibbing, a Wombwell man now living at Rotherham, was the hero of a rescue drama at Gainsboro’ on Sunday. Fully clothed, except that he had doffed his coat, Mr. Bibbing dived into the Trent and saved a woman from drowning. The circumstances are being reported to the Royal Life Saving Society.
Mr. Bibbing is employed at a branch of the Maypole Dairy Company in High Street, Rotherham, and lives at Cambridge Crescent, East Dene, Rotherham. On Sunday he and a friend cycled to Gainsboro’. They had just reached the river bridge when someone shouted that there was a woman in the water. He dropped his bicycle, ran to the water edge. and, seeing the woman struggling some distance away, dived in at once, having taken off his coat as he was running. The tide was high at the time. but being a good swimmer Bibbing reached the woman without difficulty and eventually got her to the side, where he applied artificial respiration and brought her round. The rescue was witnessed by many people, all of whom warmly congratulated Bibbing on his promptitude and pluck. Interviewed by a “Times” reporter, Bibbing said the woman was quiet in the water and did not give him much trouble. The water was “just lovely.”
Dr. G. W. Johnson described the rescue as a gallant one, and said Mr. Bibbing’s promptitude undoubtedly saved the woman.
The doctor took Mr. Bibbing to his home, let him have a hot bath, and gave him a change of clothing. The rescued woman was Mrs. Ivy May Gray (24), 2, Bridge Hill. Gainsboro’. Her mother has since written to Mr. Bibbing thanking him. Mr. Bibbing is the youngest son of Mr. Henry Bibbing, for fifty years manager of the Brady Webster grocery stores at Wombwell, and now living in retirement at Cleveden. Somerset. Mr. Thomas Henry Bibbing attended King’s Road Schools. Wombwell, and learned to swim at Wombwell Baths. He was formerly employed in the Maypole stores at Wombwell, and has been at Rotherham six years.