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Burnley Express and Burnley News, July 3rd 1943
PLUCKY RESCUE FROM SEA.
BURNLEY GIRL RECEIVES MEDAL.
How a 22 year old Burnley weaver rescued a little boy from drowning in the Mersey estuary on April 25th last, was told at the Burnley Borough Court on Wednesday when the Mayor (Coun. Miss A. Fearnehough). Presented the rescuer, Miss Mona Preston, of 15, Todmorden-road, with the silver medal and certificate of thanks of the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society.
Asking the Mayor to make the presentation, the Chief Constable (Mr. W. Green) said that at about 3 p.m. Miss Preston was on the Egremont promenade at Wallasey, along with her cousin’s two children, William Willett (6) and Geoffrey Willett (3). It was nearly high water and strong wind was causing the sea to be very rough. The boy, William, ran down the slipway and was washed away by the sea.
Miss Preston immediately jumped into the water after him and partly wading and partly swimming, managed to reach him. Owing to the roughness of the sea, Miss Preston was unable to get back to the slipway, but she managed to support the child, even though she was being washed backwards and forwards by the sea.
Fortunately help was at hand and assistance was given by a police constable and a member of the Royal Air Force. On being helped from the water, Miss Preston was conveyed to a hospital and there treated for shock.
The report of the rescue stated that Miss Preston incurred serious personal risk, and the fact that she was not a good swimmer makes her action even more commendable. On receiving a report of the occurrence, the Chief Constable of Wallasey supplied full particulars to the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, who considered the rescue as worthy of high commendation, and deserving of their silver medal and certificate of thanks.
The Mayor, on behalf of the people of Burnley, expressed their admiration of Miss Preston for a very commendable act.
Miss Preston is employed at Emmott’s Stanley Mill.
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