Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 20, 2013
• Invested on: December 05, 2013

Francis J. Marshall, M.B.
Joseph F. Sylvester, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On August 21, 2008, Francis Marshall and Joey Sylvester evacuated the residents of an apartment building set on fire by arsonists, in Membertou, Nova Scotia. One of the occupants saw the flames and knocked on the wall between her and Mr. Sylvester's apartments. Mr. Sylvester rushed his family down past the fire to safety before going back to bring his neighbour and her two children downstairs. Undeterred by the danger, Mr. Sylvester then helped pull a disabled woman from her first-floor apartment. Meanwhile, Mr. Marshall braved the heat and smoke in an effort to extinguish the flames, but at that moment a propane tank exploded, causing him to fall back down the stairs. Everyone then stood back until the fire department arrived.