On the 4th November, 1890, Charles William ODDY was born to parents WILLIAM John & SUSAN E Green in TUMUT, NSW - He died on the 14th May, 1965, in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

Charles William ODDY married Miss Ada BRIDLE on the 16th June, 1926, in Tumut, NSW. She was born on the 2nd September, 1889, in Tumut, NSW. - (Ref- NSW BDM 35146/1889). Her parents being Mary Emma BRIDLE who was born on the 20th October, 1869, in Tumut. NSW. - (Ref- NSW BDM 35146). Ada died in 22335/1976.

The story of a brave rescue, in difficult circumstances, of a woman and two children is reported from Tumut. On Wednesday night, Charles Oddy was ferrying Mrs. Morris and her two children, aged 5 and 13 years, respectively, across West Blowering Creek, when the boat collided with a submerged object, and overturned. Mrs. Morris seized the younger child, and Oddy swam with the elder, till he found in the darkness the limb of a submerged tree. He put the child on it, and swam away to find Mrs. Morris and the other child.

He cut his hand-badly on "some barbed wire" in the search, but eventually located them, and brought them to the bank. Mrs. Morris dislocated her shoulder when holding on to an overhanging tree with one arm, supporting the child in the other until Oddy came to her rescue. - (Ref- http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/21184041?searchTerm=Oddy Blowering&searchLimits=) - (Ref- The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864-1933) Saturday 15 October 1927).

1927 - TUMUT.- Mr. Charles Oddy, of Blowering, who gallantry rescued three persons from the Tumut River recently was presented on behalf of Blowering Tumut, and Talbingo residents with an inscribed gold wrist watch. Mr. Oddy had rescued Mrs. Morris and two children from the Tumut River. Mrs. Morris displayed great heroism in supporting one child until Mr. Oddy succeeded in landing the other child and returned to their rescue. Mrs. Morris was presented with a hand bag containing a purse of notes. The Tumut Municipal Council has decided to bring the matter under the notice of the Royal Humane Society. - (Ref- The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956)(about) Previous issue Tuesday 27 December 1927).

This report is submitted in good faith. All endeavours have been made to make all entries authentic and correct. For any corrections and additional valuable information, maps and photos you may have please contact John on 0431 481 451.

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AT TOWN HALL. It was not difficult to guess the reason last evening why some thousands of persons crowded into every corner of the Town Hall. It was the fifty-first annual meeting of the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Soiety of New South Wales, and, as usual, a pro-gramme of very excellent musical items was provided. But this did not bring the big audience together. All the world loves to pay homage to men and women, who do deeds of unselfish personal bravery; and last evening 33 persons; out of 60 who have received awards, were conducted to the big platform In the Town Hall, to receive the Royal Humane Society's certificates and medals from the hands of Miss Cullen, daughter of Sir William Cullen, K.C.M.Q., Lieutenant-Governor, and vice-patron of tho society. The award, In every case, had been made in recognition of some brave act of life-saving.

The people were generous In their appreciation as each person came forward into public view, but the loudest cheers were for the smallest heros and heroines, of whom there were a remarkable number. Albert Wilson (10) was the youngest, and Lotty Stewart and Clive Austin McLeay were the next youngest, each being only 11 years old, while there were half a dozen boys and girls in their teens. The youngest recipient of an award this year, Ivy Annlo Bridge, of East Broken Hill, who is but !1 years old, unfortunately could not be present.

The following is a full list of the awards: Certificates of Merit.-Stephen Charles Edwards, John R. Biffin, John Lewis Boyd, James Edwards, Leslie James McGlll, Albert Cyril Kitchen, Claude James Smith, Letty Lrird Stewart, Bede Jolley, Pearl Windsor

Gallantry, Wllllnm George Finch, Albert Ernest Wilson, Harold Lawrence Taylor, Stanley Bruce Greentree, William Leonard Turner, Kenneth Lewis Berliner, Eugene Phyllis Wostley-Wise.

Bronze Medals.-Mary Eileen Mavis Cliff, Howard Coss Felton, Ivy Myrtle Hornery, John Kenneth Cairns, George McArthur, Willam Winfield Baker, Alfred Henry Baker, Ernest Nisbet Preston, Thomas Shouldize Turner, Norman Nelson Hardy, Herbert Hallam. George Richardson, Geoffrey Daviad Halley, Heather Mary Crossland, Clive Austin McLeay, Charles William Oddy, George Frederick Day. Ernest Norbert Maguire, Hubert William Mills. Constance Elizabeth Challen, Arthur John Southwell. E. MrGeary, Albert Croft, William Walter Hunter, William George Morlson, William James Cairns, Thomas Watson.

Silver Medale.-Marshall B. B. Stamp. Ivy Annie Bridge, Alexander Heynatt, Frederick Alexander Corby, Fredorlck Edgar Jones.

Gold Medal.-Lucy Bell Donaldson.

All the recipients were given a stirring reception, but the ovation of the evening was accorded to Frederick Edgar Jones, the Greycliffe deckhand, who saved several persons from drowning in the Groycliffe-Tnhltl disaster. He received a silver medal and certificate.

Captain Green expressed regret at the absence of Miss Lucy Bell Donaldson, of Merewether, who, for saving a young man from a shark, has received the only gold medal ever awnarded by this society to a woman.

In moving the adoption of the annual report (submitted hy Captain S. G. screen), the chairman (Sir William Cullen) spoke with regret of the death of Mr. Alfred G. Milson, who was a stanch friend of the society, who had been always ready to do his share in public service. He was delighted to welcome the Sea Scouts to the gathering, and also the Ancient Mariners. "I have never met a really ancient marinor," added Sir William, humorously. "I think the men of the sea never grow old. The only ancient mariner, I think is Charon, the ferryman of the Styx-and I have a kindly feeling for him, because of what I know of the sea and those who frequent It." Sir William praised "the splendid beneficial work of the society, and the financial help given In those homes where the bread-winner had been lost In disaster at sea. "I am glad to see your enthusiasm in regard to our record of brave deeds done," continued the chairman. "If you did not display enthusiasm on such an occasion, one would lose hope for the community. Brave deeds have been done en rescuing people from drowning, from burning, explosions, street accidents, from attacks by sharks. In the record of these deeds, all humanity moots on a common ground. In every Instance there was someone not picked or selected, but just some member of the general community-some here or heroine-in many cases, quite young children always someone ready to do the brave and the right thing. It is a record that docs one's heart good. It gives us a faith often badly needed those days-in the goodness of our community, and our nation. The world is accused of growing old and losing Its virility, and its courage and it is good to know that that is not so. With such a record before us, we can regard the future with confidence, and good cheer, and look with sympathy and understanding upon tho people among whom our lot is cast." (Cheers).

Mr. C. M. C. Shannon, seconding the motion, stated that the financial position was quite satisfactory. Analysing the awards, Mr. Shannon said that there were 45 cases where drowning had been averted; there were three cases of rescue from fire; two cases of bravery in explosions; one of bravery In stopping a runaway; and two cases of persons having been rescued from sharks where very great bravery was required. Among those whose bravery was being recognised were five constables (Applause.), one tram driver and one conductor, (Cheers.) and 10 seamen. (Renewed cheers.) No less than 10 girls had received awards. Out of the 44 whose ages were stated, 14 were under 21 years of age. (Cheers.) <"That the work of the society deserves the earnest support of the general public," was, moved by Mr. B. P. Fleming, Chief Civic Commissioner, who briefly described the functions of the organisation. Mr. Drummond (Minister for Education), seconded the motion, and declared that the character of the quiet, unostentatious work of the society was the society's best recommendation to the public. Notable contributions to the musical programme were made by De Groen's Concert Band (under Mr. J. A. Arcus), New South Wales Fire Brigade Band (under Mr. J. Pheloung), and Welsh Choral Society (under Mr. E. H. Jones). - (Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Tuesday 25 September 1928 Page 10).