Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 19, 2003
• Invested on: June 25, 2004

On April 22, 2001, seventy-five-year-old Pearl Shaw lost her life while attempting to save her two great-grandchildren she was babysitting, aged three and four, from their burning house in Hanmer, Ontario. When the fire broke out in the basement, Mrs. Shaw was seen by neighbours momentarily exiting the front door of the blazing dwelling, shouting that the children were trapped inside. As others raced to the scene, she dashed back in to try to save the little boy and his sister but the rapidly spreading flames transformed the dwelling into an inferno, foiling further rescue efforts. Sadly, all three perished in the fire.