Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 6, 2007
• Invested on: September 19, 2008

Andrew Cartwright, M.B.
Hussam Mohamed Meshmesha, M.B. (posthumous)
Mohamed Rashed Shaban, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On April 8, 2006, 36-year-old Hussam Meshmesha lost his life while saving his son from drowning in the Bow River, in Alberta. The child had wandered onto the thin ice when it suddenly gave way. Mr. Meshmesha and his friend, Mohamed Shaban, ran to the boy, but they too fell through the ice. The father reached for his son and handed him over to Mr. Shaban, who had managed to get himself out of the water. Witness to the scene, Mr. Cartwright ran to assist Mr. Meshmesha, but as he lay outstretched on the thin surface, he too fell through. Although both men were quickly pulled out of the water with the help of onlookers, Mr. Meshmesha could not be revived.