Star of Courage

• Awarded on: May 12, 1980
• Invested on: September 26, 1980

Brian Mervyn Clegg, S.C.
Robert Stephen Grant, S.C.
Star of Courage

Brian Clegg and Robert Grant rescued three occupants of a twin-engine aircraft which made a forced landing on Lake of the Woods on 28 March 1979. As it touched down it had broken through the ice and begun to sink. A distress call reached Brian Clegg and Robert Grant, who set out in a helicopter in bad weather. They found two of the survivors on shore and a third, a nurse, in the icy lake. In the blowing snow Mr. Clegg skilfully and at great risk lowered the helicopter over the nurse. His mate then climbed out on a skid-rail; but when all efforts to lift her failed, Mr. Grant was obliged to straddle the skid. Cold and wet, he grasped her once again and signalled the pilot to move the helicopter to firm ice. By now exhausted, he could lift her only part way into the craft and remained standing on the skid for the journey to hospital. He and Mr. Clegg then returned for the two other survivors, the pilot and a doctor. Because of the rough terrain the helicopter had to land some distance away. Mr. Grant reached them and at times had to carry the doctor back on their way to safety.