I hope someone can help Jim with his quest to find out more about the man.
Jim writes...
"I have tried to find information about the above who was in the Hyde Borough Police from at least 1911 when he is shown as a Constable living at Norbury Avenue, Hyde.
He was later promoted to sergeant and in 1920 was presented with a National Canine Defence League Medal - Below is the citation.
Hope you can help !".
National Canine Defence League Medal, silver (Presented to Sergeant
William Clitheroe for Bravery 1919) hallmarks for Birmingham 1916, with
silver brooch bar.
Sgt. William Clitheroe and Constable Hughes of Hyde Police Force, and Joseph Swindells of 11, River Lane, Denton, and Arthur Follitt of Jet Amber Cottage, Denton, who carried out a gallant rescue under the following circumstances:
For three days and nights the piteous whining of a dog was heard by
those crossing the river bridge at Hyde, near Manchester, and the howling caused so much interest that the police investigated its source and found that a dog was precariously perched upon a buttress underneath the bridge. Nothing would entice it to take to the water and swim ashore, and it was slowly starving to death, its cries becoming fainter but more pitiable as it gradually became exhausted.
Two police officers and two civilians, deeply touched by the dog’s appeal for succour, determined to rescue it. A raft was improvised and two 30 feet ladders were lowered, all the operations having to be conducted from the narrow coping of a wall on the bridge, seventeen feet above the river.
For three hours the police and their assistants laboured at their hazardous task, and were often in imminent danger of being precipitated into the stream, which is deep at this point and fringed by treacherous mud banks.
After great exertions and much ingenious contrivance they reached the dog, fastened a life-line around the terrified creature and brought him to safety.
The dog was a “stray” and is said to have been following some workmen over the bridge when he was thrown into the water. His owner being unknown, one of the gallant rescuers has adopted him as a companion, with the approval of the Chief Constable of Hyde, and he is now recuperating in the kindly care of his rescuer.
The presentation of medals was made by the Chief Constable
for Hyde. (extract from the National Canine Defence League Annual
Report 1920).
Two police officers and two civilians, deeply touched by the dog’s appeal for succour, determined to rescue it. A raft was improvised and two 30 feet ladders were lowered, all the operations having to be conducted from the narrow coping of a wall on the bridge, seventeen feet above the river.
For three hours the police and their assistants laboured at their hazardous task, and were often in imminent danger of being precipitated into the stream, which is deep at this point and fringed by treacherous mud banks.
After great exertions and much ingenious contrivance they reached the dog, fastened a life-line around the terrified creature and brought him to safety.
The dog was a “stray” and is said to have been following some workmen over the bridge when he was thrown into the water. His owner being unknown, one of the gallant rescuers has adopted him as a companion, with the approval of the Chief Constable of Hyde, and he is now recuperating in the kindly care of his rescuer.
The presentation of medals was made by the Chief Constable
for Hyde. (extract from the National Canine Defence League Annual
Report 1920).
Map showing Norbury Avenue
who has the medal?
ReplyDeletethats a sweet story.
Is the National Canine Defence League Medal still awarded ?
ReplyDelete