Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: October 31, 1997
• Invested on: May 15, 1998

Kim Murrie Van Well, M.B.
Gerald Reginald Ward, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On September 30, 1996, Kim Van Well and Gerald Ward rescued a woman from a burning camper in Ingersoll, Ontario. Mr. Ward and Ms. Van Well, a colleague, noticed smoke pouring from the woman's camper which was parked in her driveway. Fearing that she might be inside, they banged on the door but there was no response. As his colleague went for help, Mr. Ward forced the camper door open but could see only flames. He found a hose nearby and put the fire out. He then entered the camper but the door slammed shut behind him as the draft re-ignited the fire. He kicked the door open, ran back for the hose and doused the flames again. Meanwhile, Ms. Van Well had arrived and together they entered the camper to search for the victim. Although the intense heat and choking smoke forced them to retreat momentarily, they returned in, located the unconscious woman on the upper bunk and carried her to safety.