I recently came across this very positive story on Treasure Beach, and more importantly, some members of the community, in The Daily Gleaner of June 5, 1961.

I have reproduced some sections of the story for everyone's benefit and hope that the relatives of those who featured in the story, in particular, will recall this moment in their loved ones' lives with pleasure.

FIRST, THE HEADLINE:
Calabash Bay rescue relived...
Governor: Honoured to present awards to life-savers

THEN, A SECTION OF THE STORY:
A miraculous rescue from the sea was relived in a remote St. Elizabeth village on Saturday, when the Governor General Sir Kenneth Blackbourne visited Calabash Bay to present certificates from the Royal Humane Society to four inhabitants who hauled a 13 year old boy out of the sea on February 8, 1961 and restored him consciousness.
“I am honoured to present these awards today” the Governor said and went on to describe the rescue of Derrick Bent, aged 13.

With some other boys, Derrick was bathing, about two chains offshore at Calabash Bay when he suddenly went down in three fathoms of water.

The alarm was raised by the other bathers and Egbert Gordon, a 32-year-old fisherman who was returning home in the canoe, dived into the sea and, after the third attempt, succeeded in bringing the unconscious boy to the surface.


Meanwhile, other helpers had gathered on the shore, and led by the Rev. Eric Parchment, Mrs. Tilda Moxam and Councillor Claudius Spence, they applied artificial respiration for over an hour before the boy started breathing again.

The Reverend Mr. Parchment , one of the persons honoured on Saturday, gave more details of his part in the rescue: "I learnt the technique of artificial respiration 40 years ago when I was a cadet at the West India Training College in Mandeville. I never had occasion to use it, but never forgot it, and when the unconscious boy was brought to the shore I knew immediately what to do.”

The boy himself had no after-effects of his brush with death. He was present at Saturday's function. "What were the first words you said when you became conscious?" asked the Rev. Parchment. "I'm hungry and I want water", Derrick replied.

The awards for the rescue were made in the Sandy Bank Primary School, in the presence of a large gathering of children and local residents.

Mr. Gordon, the fisherman, was awarded the Royal Humane Society's highest award, the Testimonial on Vellum, which is only made for saving persons from drowning under circumstances of considerable personal risk to the rescuer. His
certificate was signed by the Duke of Gloucester, Chairman of the society.

Resucitation Certificates, awarded for restoring life to those who might otherwise die from drowning, were made to the Rev. Parchment, Councillor Spence and Mrs, Moxam.

Mr. C.D Wright, MHR for the area, said that the rescue had been an endorsement of the words in-the Bible, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

"This is a red-letter day for the area," said he, "when we honour 4 of our
own people who did more than the ordinary…”

Councillor Spence thanked the Governor for the awards. “We did not do it with the expectation of getting any honour and we were most surprised when we heard about it” he said.

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[Of course it was only two years later that the entire community was plunged into mourning when so many fishermen from this very community were lost in the sinking of "The Snowboy" - July, 1963.]

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There was another interesting related story coming out of that same function at Sandy Bank School.

It appeared that the Governor got into a bit of trouble for his less than correct observations about the state of the community's infrastructure.

HERE GOES:

The Governor, Sir Kenneth Blackburne, has congratulated the people of St. Elizabeth on the improvements he noticed in the parish since his last, visit.
He was speaking to residents of Calabash Bay at a ceremony where certificates from the Royal Humane Society were presented to four persons for a rescue
last year.

“I must congratulate you on the wonderful display of hard work in the fields and gardens. The- area has never looked better", he said.

He also commented on the fact that the road from New… to Calabash Bay had greatly improved and now not many miles of really bad road were left.

The local residents seemed to feel differently, however. Every speaker at the function referred to the poor condition of the road leading to the remote bay.

“1 apologize for the state of our roads”, said Mr. S. J. McLean, teacher at Sandy Bank School where the presentations took place. "And we doubly appreciate His Excellency's visit under these conditions. But we are so far away here that we are not often remembered. I hope that through your visit, Sir, attention may be drawn to our plight, so that we will get better roads and better school accommodations.”

The Hon. B.B Coke, Speaker of the House of Representatives, also referred to the state of the roads and expressed the hope that they would improve.

Councillor Claudius Spence, one of people honoured at the ceremony, went even further. “We are a God-fearing people but we hardly ever get any notice, from the Government. I hope that our brave act will be rewarded by more notice from the Government in the future.”


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[I'll leave the comments on that one to others!]

Earl, thank you for those memories. From time to time my thoughts go back to that incident with Derrick. I was old enough to remember. I was at Sandy Bank School that day but only remembered "Ma Til" receiving the award. Now I know. Egbert is still around. God bless his soul and those who are no longer with us.

I remember Derrick Bent I was i was in the sea when this happen, I think he was living with Mrs. Moxam Tilda, I remember we give him a nick name Dead. Wonder what happen to him he was good boy?

Derrick lived with Mrs. Enola James (Miss/Sta Enny)

thanks Earl for that visit down memory lane. I was there as a little boy but I could swim very well and was one of the searchers when Eggy found him and pull him ashore. I was also in school the day
when that tall white man came and was introduced as
the governor. Oops, I just gave my age away.
You all can imagine the excitement at school that day. Derick is still around, living in Southfield.

Wow, For some reason, that one escaped me! I don't recall that particular incident so thank you, Earl, for sharing that with us. The people such as Maas Claudy, Maas Egbert, Ma Til and all the others, were all such upstanding community members. This story reminds us of how much things have changed -- and not necessarily for better, in many cases. It also brought a smile to me that true to the Jamaican spirit of fun, Derrick was promptly nick-named, "Dead!" We were always good at nicknaming people. It's also ironic how Ma Til was able to help save that little boy and yet there was nary a "saver" in sight for her own grandson decades later. So sad.

Thanks again, for your copious research, Earl...always enlightening.

Is Claudius Spence the man that used to live big cassha tree?

Different Claudius, Gaelle.
The one you are referring to was Moxam. Mr. Spence lived just up the road; right beside Matil's shop.

Thanks L.T.

WOW!! great piece Earl.

The name that was given to derrick was not<dead>It was drowndead.I believe some people call him that name until this day.

It would be nice if everyone used his full name on the postings!!

The name given to Derrick was Dead&Wake!!He used to live with Miss "Enny" up the lane and was the wickedest donkey rider!! I would love to see him whenever I come down, which hopefully should be soon