RESCUED FROM THE RIVER MOLE

George William Dench  first made headlines when he was just four years old. He had been playing with a group of about half-a-dozen other boys on Thorncroft Bridge, at the bottom of Gimcrack Hill, when he fell from the bridge into the River Mole.

He was saved from drowning by postman Harry Dancer who happened to be passing and saw the incident. He threw down his postbag and jumped in to rescue George.

George's sister Evelyn remembers him being brought home to a mother who was none too pleased. However, all was forgiven and some days later he posed with Harry Dancer for this photograph.

Harry Dancer was later decorated with the Royal Humane Society medal in recognition of his prompt action.

Leatherhead Advertiser, Thursday, August 13, 2009
100 YEARS AGO Extracts from the Advertiser 1909

On Saturday afternoon, a five-year-old boy whose parents reside in Highland Road, Leatherhead, had a narrow escape from drowning in the River Mole near Thorncroft Bridge.

At about three o'clock, MH Dancer, a local postman, passed over the bridge on his rounds and noticed some boys playing near the bank of the river. When he had got about 100 yards along the, the road one of the lads came running after him and stated that the boy had fallen into the water. Mr Dancer ran back as fast as he could and on reaching the bridge found the boy struggling in about five feet of water. Throwing off his letter bag and hat, Mr Dancer jumped into the river and succeeded in rescuing the lad just in time.

When he was brought to the bank the lad was exhausted, but by means of artificial respiration he soon recovered sufficiently to be taken home. The lad was naturally very frightened and for one or two days was very unwell, but it is hoped that no serious consequences will ensue.

It was extremely fortunate that Mr Dancer happened to be passing at the time as if his rescue had been delayed a minute longer the lad would undoubtedly have lost his life.