Mexborough and Swinton Times September 28, 1928

Wombwell Man’s Bravery

Rescued Child From Drowning

A gallant rescue from drowning was affected at Wombwell on Sunday morning by a miner named Albert Dawes (53) of 6, Hall Street, Wombwell.

At about 11:45 o’clock a man named Henry Moores was walking along the towing path of the canal near Station Road, when he noticed what he thought was a man swimming. Taking a second look, he was startled to find it was a child.

His cries for help attracted Dawes, who chanced, at the time, to be sitting on a wall near the bridge. Dawes took in the situation at a glance, and divesting himself only on his jacket he dived into the water to the rescue. After a struggle he managed to get the child to the side, where he quickly recovered.

The rescued child was Harry Charlesworth, aged seven, son of Leslie Charlesworth, of 91 Roebuck Street, Wombwell.

Doors made light of the incident, but spectators were loud in their praise of his pluck. By a singular coincidence, he rescued a child from drowning at the same spot 22 years ago.