North Devon Journal 

Thursday 25^th March 1943

A courageous act recognised

Ilfracombe Evacuee Boy receives R.S.P.C.A’s Silver medal

The story of an evacuee boy’s courageous act at night during November gale was related at an interesting ceremony in Ilfracombe Grammar School on Friday. Neville Girton, aged 17, an evacuee from Bedford Park, London and now a pupil at Ilfracombe Grammar School, was on the sea front at Woolacombe last November, when he heard the wail of a dog. He returned to his home and secured a flashlight, his bathing costume and a piece of rope. With the aid of the torch he located a dog which was marooned on a rock at Barricane Beach about 15 yards from the shore, and despite the peril of the undertaking he waded and swam to the rock. He received several flesh wounds by contact with rocks. The animal was inclined to be vicious but the boy managed to attach the rope to it, and jumping into the sea he pulled the dog after him and brought it ashore.

Neville Girton was presented with the R.S.P.C.A’s silver society medal for the courage and humanity he displayed, the certificate recording the presentation and a monetary award.