Ernest Coetzee Silver Cross
Ernest Coetzee was a Boy Scout from Worcester who won the Silver Cross for Gallantry after rescuing three people from drowning in December 1966.
Two press articles described the incident and the award:
Ernest wins Silver medal
Ernest Coetzee, 13-year-old Scout of the First Worcester Coloured Boy Scout Group, will to-morrow be presented with the Boy Scouts' Silver Medal, the highest award a Scout can receive for bravery. It is believed that he will be the second Coloured Scout in the Republic to receive this award. The award was made for Ernest's meritorious action in saving a Coloured man, Mr. David Smith, and his 12-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son from drowning in the river at the Darling Bridge outspan on Sunday, December 11 last year.
When the two children were in difficulty in the water, their father, fully clothed, jumped in to rescue them. Being unable to swim, he too was soon in difficulty. Without hesitating, Ernest sprang into the water and brought first Mr. Smith (who is his uncle) and then the children one at a time to land.
Gallant Boy Scout is decorated
"Proudest parents in Cape Town this afternoon were Mr. and Mrs. Christian Coetzee. They saw their son, Ernest (14) receive the Silver Cross - the second highest award for gallantry that a Boy Scout can win.
Ernest stood to attention while Mr. Alex J. Philander, Western Cape Divisional Commissioner of the Coloured Boy Scouts of South Africa, pinned the cross with its blue ribbon to his uniform. The ceremony took place at Gilray, the Scouts camping site off Prince George Drive.
Ernest is a member of the First Worcester Scout Troop. His act of gallantry took place last December.
The family was at the Darling bridge when they heard cries for help from an eight-year-old boy. The boy's 12-year-old sister went in after him and she was followed by their father. None could swim and they were all in danger of drowning.
No one else went to help and Ernest dived into the river and pulled them out one by one. Helpers on the bank applied artificial respiration and all three recovered."
According to his son, Loren Coetzee, his father Ernest passed away on 27 July 2024