Without doubt, had it not been for the commendable actions of two local men,

a 15 year old girl would have drowned said Police Inspector D T P Cowling.

He had related how Mr A J Pickard of Oldiscleave Farm, Bideford, had been sitting on the beach at Instow with his family when he heard Wendy Harknett of Olive Farm, who was in the water, shouting for help.

Mr Pickard swam 25 yards to the drowning girl and brought her ashore. There he was joined by Mr K W Morey, 4 Beechfield Road, Fremington, a member of St John Ambulance Brigade. They were also joined by a Dr Powell.

Royal Humane Society certificates were handed to the two men by the chairman of the magistrates, Mr G Heywood, who warmly commended the rescuers.

The full Gazette article is dated 28 February 1964