Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: September 24, 1984
• Invested on: March 15, 1985

In the early morning of 15 June 1983, Capt. Jacques Gratton of the Volunteer Fire Department in Alfred, Ontario, while off duty, saved a man, a woman and their son from certain death when fire gutted the family-owned restaurant in Wendover. Driving home after spending the night at his daughter's bedside, Capt. Gratton saw smoke rising from the restaurant occupying the first-floor of a frame building. In spite of his weariness he stopped, rushed to the back of the building and climbed the stairs to determine if anyone was awake. He forced open the door and urged the woman and her son to get out at once. Told that her convalescent husband was resting under heavy sedation, Capt. Gratton groped his way through thick smoke, unprotected by special equipment or clothing. He found the man in his bedroom and led him to the exit as the rapidly spreading flames pierced through the floor. Moments after they had reached safety, the stairway collapsed.