Star of Courage

• Awarded on: July 16, 1984
• Invested on: November 09, 1984

Kenneth Roy Nicolle, S.C.
Buddy John Osborne, S.C.
Star of Courage

Taking part in a perilous rescue on 22 July 1983, Kenneth Nicolle and John "Bud" Osborne saved five Murray River-area fishermen from certain drowning off Guernsey Cove. Notified by Mr. Nicolle that five men on a fishing boat had failed to return, Mr. Osborne launched his longliner in the worst of weather conditions. Surrounded by fog, amidst winds gusting to 120 km/hour, 10-metre waves and heavy rain, they searched the area - relying on directions from Mr. Osborne's wife who maintained radio contact from her home. Messrs. Nicolle and Osborne finally located the sinking boat as the owner and two of his crew were ready to abandon ship. Mr. Osborne closed in and the two rescuers hauled the three men on board. They then made their way through the raging sea to look for the other two who had jumped overboard in an attempt to swim to shore. They found a young man and a twelve-year-old boy, both near hypothermia, clinging to a buoy, and tossed them two life-rings. The young man managed to hold on to his until he reached safety but the young boy, completely exhausted, slipped out as he was being pulled on board. Mr. Osborne quickly bent over the railing and grabbed the boy but began to slide overboard himself. Seeing his companion losing his hold, Mr. Nicolle lunged at Mr. Osborne and pulled both from danger. Mr. Osborne then brought the five crewmembers to waiting ambulances at Wood Islands wharf.