Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 10, 1996
• Invested on: September 13, 1996

Amy Jeannine Matthews, M.B.
Jennifer Anne Wilkes, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On July 14, 1994, fifteen-year-old Amy Matthews and twelve-year-old Jennifer Wilkes prevented Jennifer's six-year-old sister from being swept into the Bay of Fundy at New River Beach, New Brunswick. Realizing her sister's raft was floating away from the shore, Jennifer began swimming in her direction, but soon found herself in difficulty because of the cold water and strong tide. Amy swam out to try to help. The teenagers were unable to reach the youngster, who was drifting towards the poles of a fishing weir, so they screamed for her to jump off the raft and swim towards them, hoping her life jacket would keep her afloat. They grabbed hold of her and began to swim back, when a man in a kayak arrived to help, bringing the little girl safely back to shore.