Lot 567

Description

Royal Humane Society of Australasia, Bronze Medal with buckle bar suspender, reverse inscribed, 'C.F.B.Gregory/18.12.44'. Toned, otherwise extremely fine.

Together with large RHS of A certificate dated 25/6/1945 - to Clyde F.B.Gregory Yeppon (Qld.), Fisherman, aged 37 years, in rescuing Lilian E.Jensen, aged 14, from drowning in the sea at Yeppon (Qld.) on December 18, 1944.

The following report was published in the Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton on Tuesday 19 December 1944 on page 3.

BOY AND GIRL DROWNED AT ROSS CREEK
About 2 p.m. yesterday Patricia Margaret Jensen, 9, and Godfrey Frederick Jensen, 7, brother and sister, were drowned near the mouth of Ross Creek, Yeppoon. Five children of the Jensen family, the eldest being Lillian Elizabeth Jensen, 14, were swimming in the creek, when Godfrey got into difficulties. Patricia went to his aid, but both were swept out of their depth. Lillian then tried to help them, and she in turn was soon in difficulties. Constable Kelly and a Yeppoon resident, Mr Clive Francis Gregory, were attracted by the cries and they, with others, attempted to save the children. Due to the strong current, all, with the exception of Mr Gregory, were compelled to return to the bank. Mr Gregory, however, went out and succeeded in bringing the 14-year old girl Lillian to shore. The other two children were quickly swept out to sea and soon disappeared from sight. Their bodies have not yet been recovered. Lillian was hurried to the Yeppoon Hospital, which is in the vicinity, and was detained there.

The children resided with their parents at 4 William Street, Yeppoon. The father, Mr H. A. Jensen, is employed on fencing at Fitzroy Vale station. The children were swept out at a spot about 50 yards from a signpost warning bathers of the dangerous current.

Note: The two missing bodies were recovered two days later on the beach at Cooee Bay about half a mile from Ross Creek.