Heroes abound in local scouting lore
Editor’s note: This is part of our continuing series of articles highlighting some of the people involved in the Boy Scout movement, which is celebrating its 110th year of existence in our region. A celebration is planned for later in the year.
When a Scout accepts the motto “Be Prepared,” what does that mean?
When the founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell, was a boy, he spent many long hours exploring the fields and forests near his home, learning about wild animals, birds and plants. He learned how to be comfortable in the bush, trapping his food, building a fire and generally providing for himself. This was grand adventure for a boy! He brought many of these lessons and experiences to Scouting.
A Scout learns to observe and assess things that are occurring around him, and to react in a manner relative to his skills. A Scout is not the person at the scene of an accident crying out, “Oh, my God, oh my God!” A Scout responds to the extent of his capabilities, often requiring bravery and personal risk.
Scouting recognizes special achievement in all aspects of life. Acts of bravery and of noteworthy assistance to others are among them. Several Pentictonites have been honoured over the decades, among them
Donald Bisset, Derek Lindsay, Julie Gaal, Bonnie Billups, Lewis Pugh, Matthew Agar, Nicholas Carter and Alan Dawkins.
Bisset, a local Scout, received Scouting’s Gilt Cross for Bravery in 1969, Scouting’s third highest bravery award, involving gallantry and moderate risk. At the time of his actions, he was a 10-year-old Wolf Cub. He was recognized for diving twice into the deep end of a swimming pool to rescue a man lying motionless on the bottom. Scout Lindsay received the Certificate for Meritorious Conduct for assisting in the rescue. The awards were presented in Ottawa by former governor general Roland Michener.
In 1981, adult Scouter Julie Gaal of Penticton received Scouting’s Medal for Meritorious Conduct for her prompt actions at an industrial site, which saved the life of a worker. She received her award in Ottawa from former governor general Ed Schreyer.
Penticton adult Scouter Bonnie Billups, in 1988, recognized that a young man was in distress while floating the Okanagan River channel. She dove in, fully clothed, and with the help of two other people, brought the victim to shore to await an ambulance. The young man recovered fully. Billups received Scouting’s Certificate for Meritorious Conduct.
Scout Lewis Pugh, a ten-year-old Wolf
Cub at the time, was awarded the
Certificate for Meritorious Conduct in 1993 for making the correct decisions when his mother was in medical distress.
Quickly recognizing the severity of the situation, he dialed 911 and marked the house for first responders by turning on outdoor lights and opening the front door.
And in 1995, Penticton Scouter Alan Dawkins was awarded the Certificate for Gallantry, the fourth highest bravery award, for his role in apprehending a bank robber.
There have been others, but records have not yet been rediscovered. We know the earliest recognition in the district was given to a Summerland Scout in 1912 for diving off the wharf and rescuing a drowning swimmer.
And the highest level for heroism was awarded to Scout Robert Lucier of Osoyoos in 1976. He saved his brother from drowning, and was selected for the Silver Cross for Bravery, Scouting’s second highest award in this category, recognizing gallantry with considerable risk.