East Kent Times 13th September 1911 IN HONG KONG BROADSTAIRS MAN'S BRAVE ACT The Hong Kong Telegraph contains the report of the brave act of Sergeant F E PIGGOTT, a native of Broadstairs, who has been stationed with the Royal Garrison Artillery, In China, for two years, after eleven years service in India. Sergeant PIGGOTT is the brother of Mr T W PIGGOTT, Coal Merchant and Mr J H PIGGOTT, Plumber of Broadstairs. "It appears" states our Hong Kong contemporary, describing a storm which swept over the Colony " that about 10 o'clock yesterday, when the fury of the storm was carrying out its work of devastation unchecked, four soldiers stationed at Lymoon Barracks, beyond Shau-ki-wan, swam out into the sea for the purpose of bringing in a number of boats belonging to the troops which were anchored to some buoys. Owing to the tempestuous seas prevailing at the time, they experienced a great deal of difficulty in trying to return to shore. As a matter of fact, only two of the men managed to reach the shore by striking out, while the other two decide to remain with one of the boats. One of the men who swam ashore was picked up in an exhausted condition. The boat containing the other two men , drifted and was tossed about at the mercy of the waves. On shore there were a number of spectators, who perforce had to watch the men's perilous plight without being able to assist them, but to the credit of the Chinese be it said that six fishermen proceeded to the men's rescue., but on going a little distance they discovered that the maddened elements defied their best efforts and that further action would be attended with no little personal risk and they were obliged to give up an unequal fight. "Then it was that Sergeant PIGGOTT asked for assistance at the Police Station, and in the company of P.C 112 (Kille) at once proceeded to his comrades' rescue. After a tough struggle with the furious waves, the two men were picked up in the centre of Lyemun Pass and the boat was left to its fate. After drifting about some time, the party landed at Saiwanho, that district being the first landing place available. BY the time the men landed, they were relived of their clothing and they had to borrow the garb of some onlookers. During their struggle with the foam crested billows, the men used their boots for bailing out the water which was constantly filling the boat and every moment threatened to swallow the vessel. " In view of the plucky act of both P.C 112 and Sergeant PIGGOTT, but for whose timely assistance, there is little doubt that the rescued men would have found a watery grave, we would venture to suggest that they should be commended and their act recognised in a tangible manner. The work of rescue, it must be remembered, was effected at great personal risk",