This Day in History: 1890-04-03

On 3 April 1890, a steamer with flats in tow was bringing the 2nd Battalion back from Looshai (now in eastern India between Bangladesh and Myanmar) down the Kornafuli River. Bugler Aitia Damaie slipped off a gangplank into the river and was swept under one of the flats by the strong ebb tide.  He reappeared struggling with his haversack and waterbottle which were tangled round his neck. Lieutenant Shakespear dived in and rescued him, for which he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal.