Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Monday 16 June 1919

Plucky Miner.

Gallant Rescue of Children at Wombwell.

Two children, Lawson Haywood (2) and Mary Elizabeth Haywood (4), were rescued from the Dove and Dearne Canal. Wombwell, yesterday afternoon, under thrilling circumstances.

Frederick Parker, miner, residing at 76, Barnsley Road, Wombwell, hearing that two children had fallen into the canal, rushed a distance of 300 yards, and plunged into the water without divesting himself of any clothing. An ex-soldier, named John Hargreaves, 51, George Square, Wombwell, was already in the water, but, encumbered by his heavy clothing, he, too, was becoming exhausted.

Parker succeeded in getting the children to the bank, where artificial respiration was successfully applied. It is stated that the elder child fell into the water in an attempt save the younger one.

Parker was awarded the Humane Society’s certificate for rescuing two children from the canal at Wombwell in 1915.