While the Dunfermline-based Carnegie Hero Trust Fund has recognised over 6000 acts of heroism, for the first time a presentation ceremony has been held in the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum.
The ceremony, to honour Andrew Smith of Atherton, who lost his life while saving his young stepdaughter from drowning in 2008, was the first held in the museum since the trust was founded in 1908.
Mr Smith, who died in the act of saving his stepdaughter Aimee (12) from drowning in a Chorley reservoir, has become the first hero to be recognised at the “home” of the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, which honours and supports civilian heroes and their dependants in the UK and Ireland.
The heroism of Mr Smith was marked by the posthumous award of a certificate and citation to his partner, Tricia Nowell, and their children at a ceremony in the museum which houses the trust’s Roll of Honour.
The ceremony held on what would have been Mr Smith’s birthday heard how a walk round Anglezarke Reservoir turned into tragedy.
While playing at the waterside with seven-year-old stepsister Jodi, Aimee slipped from a rock into the reservoir, and quickly got into difficulties.
Mr Smith plunged into the water, brought Aimee to the surface and made for the shore with his daughter on his back.
When they were about 14 paces from the shore, the family’s German shepherd Scooby swam out towards them. Aimee grabbed the dog and was pulled to safety.
Tricia helped Aimee out of the water and was attending to her when she noticed that he was treading water and not moving.
She went in to help, but was unable to find him and the emergency services recovered his body some hours later.
At the award ceremony, trust chairman Dr David Smith said Mr Smith’s name had been inscribed in the Roll of Honour and that trustees would maintain a continuing interest in his family’s welfare.
Dr Smith told the family, “Heroism is difficult to define and can take many forms.
“He did the right thing and you are all justly proud of him and his actions.”
Tricia said, “For us, this is a day of sadness but also of great pride in the fact that Andrew’s heroism has been recognised and his memory honoured.”