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•̂ ^^ JY Hero Medal Awarded m, Belleville Boy, Age 11 Blowing His No, 11-year-old Robert Thompson isn't blowingfhis^own Horn -- though he's justified in doing so. For rescuing a drowning woman the Belleville boy yesterday became only the fourth Canadian since the 1930s to win the YMCA heroic medal Harry Fast (left) city Y president, and Alderman Dqn Williams, national vice-president, brought news to Robert then listened as lie showed another talent -- clarinet-playing, - BY HARRY MULHALL •a f t At 11 years old Robert Thompson is <a public school student, a strong swimmer and a clatri.net player. And yesterday toe offically 'became a hero. That and more. With the award of the YMCA heroic services gold medal he becomes a member of the most exclusive club of courageous Canadians. Onfly four such medals have award was initiated in Canada in the 1930s. \ Robert, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Thompson, 220 John Street, received the citation calmly -- just as calmlly as the way he earned it. It was his livel 'thinking in a. dangerous situation the af- ter noon of Aug. 20 in the Moira River at Latta that won him the award, That day he went to tine rescue of his parents' friend, Mrs. Heidi Stroemjpl of Tweed, a® she was 'Stricken with cramp while swimming. Robert was too lightweight to /practice on an adult the lifesaving techniques he learned during swimming in. ^struction at the Belleville Y. Instead he pushed itiha drowning woman underwater and as she broke surface clapped an air tube over her head. Then he easily towed her ashore. His nimble thinking in the emergency was credited by po- lice with saving Mrs. Stroempl'i life. The medal was granted as soon as the national YMCA ex- ecutive was informed by local officials, says Belleville Y pre- sident Harry Fast. Mr. Fast went to Robert's house yesterday with Alderman Donald Williams, national Y vice-president, to confirm t h « citation. The only tiling missing was the gold medal. Since the award is a rarity no replicas are kept in stock. Each one must be individually struck for presentation. Robert's award, says Mr. Fast, now is in the making and will likely be publicly presented some time next month. "TVie .