Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1978-12-22
Invested on: 1979-03-09
Basil Burns braved severe temperatures to support a man above water in Chezzetcook harbour on 10 January 1978. The two men were trying to retrieve Mr. Burn's fishing-boat which was drifting away on the tide. The engine was started bus as the tide rose the boat was caught in ice-floes. In an effort to return to shore, the man stepped overboard into the ice, broke through, then tried to scramble back to the boat. At that moment Mr. Burns seized him and in spite of failing strength held him fast for three hours until a helicopter arrived to rescue them.