| Notes: | RMP.
Extract from the Yorkshire Post, 23/12/1952. Fire hero represents out youth.
"A man of initiative, character and courage" was the description given by Mr W J Ballam (Chairman) at Doncaster West Riding Court today in presenting a certificate to a Highfields (Doncaster) Soldier.
The soldier, Lance Corporal Ralph Staton, Ride Road, Highfields, who rescued a widow from a burning room in a Highfield house on July 17, received the framed certificate awarded by the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire. He rescued the woman while on his way home on leave from the Royal Military Police Barracks at Chatham.
"We hear a lot about gunmen and cosh men these days but it is boys like Lance Corporal Staton who really represent the youth of Britain today." said the chairman.
L/Cpl Staton said the Chairman was on his way home when two children told him their grandmother Mrs Emma Scotthorne (66), widow, was asleep in an upstairs room of their house in South street and that the house was on fire.
Full of Smoke
Staton force his way through a window and went upstairs. Mrs Scottthorne was in a dazed condition in a corner of a bedroom which was full of smoke. A couch just inside the room was ablaze and flames were shooting across the door preventing her from getting out.
He picked her up and carried her outside. He then crawled upstairs again and put the fire out with water.
"A delay of a few minutes might have proved fatal to Mrs Scotthorns" the Chairman said. |
