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MG 1 volume 2124 number 219

HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
Archibald MacMechan, F.R.S.C.
Director

Halifax, N.S.

Norman Roberts, aged eight

PERSONAL NARRATIVE


Story of the Rescue of Mrs. Roberts by her little son, aged 8, confirmed by Miss Colquhoun, Halifax Relief Commission Visitor, who reported to Director June 19th, 1918, as follows:
Had questioned Mrs. Roberts as to truth of the story and was much impressed by her truthfulness. She, Miss C., believes the story herself. At the time of the disaster, Mrs. Roberts and her family were all in the kitchen together. The door was flung upon her, also the table and the chairs. She partially lost consciousness, heard her son say, "Where are you, mother?" but does not remember what happened after this. Neighbors called Stockall, saw the boy at the door pulling at his mother. The house took fire afterwards, and burned "upwards" not along the ground. This was after Mrs. R. and the children were out of the house. The boy evidently has the protective instinct well developed. When the buildings at the Exhibition ground caught fire June 15th (?)
Norman Roberts took care to get his mother and sister downstairs and to a place of safety when there was danger to the tenements. The story of his courage on Dec. 6th so impressed his grandmother in England that she sent him a wrist watch as a present.

Norman Roberts, aged eight [handwritten at top of page]