Robert Walsh GC grave (22nd August 1905 to 8th February 1953)

Only about four hundred George Cross medals have been awarded. They're awarded to civilians who have demonstrated selfless acts of bravery - a bit like Victoria Cross medals awarded to soldiers in war situations. Here I am in a picturesque churchyard in Coppull in Lancashire over the bones of a GC recipient. Sadly his actions didn’t warrant a headstone.

On the afternoon of Sunday 8th February 1953 Britain was suffering thick snow and bitterly cold winds. At Clay Pits Pond in Coppull a 10-year old boy walked across an iced-over pond to recover a stick. The ice cracked and he fell into the water (which was about 30 feet deep.) His head and arms remained above the water. Local resident Robert Walsh happened to be walking by and ran over to the screaming lad. Quickly he removed his coat, shoes and socks and treaded across the ice to the hole. Getting onto his knees he tried to pull the boy out but more ice broke. Robert slid into the icy water and tried to hold up the boy. Numb and losing strength he couldn’t break the ice to make way back to safety. At some point he lost his hold on the boy who slid under the ice. How long Robert shouted for help is unknown but at some point - numb from cold and panic - he too disappeared under the ice.

He was a caretaker at Duke St School Chorley and left a wife and six children. Money must have been scarce so perhaps the family couldn’t afford a headstone. Oddly there's a plaque dedicated to Robert on the gates of nearby St John's Church but not here at Coppull Parish Churchyard where he's buried. On the way to Southport for the day I ensured we went through Coppull and found the small pretty churchyard. I found the plot using a photograph (thanks to fellow grave hunter Bob the Greenacre Cat) and took a few photographs. So long as my website exists these people won't be forgotten. I did a salute and left.