Star of Courage
Awarded on: 1973-09-24
Invested on: 1973-11-30
On July 9, 1971, Thomas William Smart, a young boy, lost his life by drowning in the Rideau River when he went to the aid of another child. Four children were playing together in shallow water when a little girl, trying to retrieve a surfboard which had floated out of reach, got into difficulties and panicked. Thirteen-year-old Thomas Smart swam to her assistance and succeeded in pushing her towards shore where others came to her aid. In the excitement no one noticed for some minutes that the boy had disappeared. An older child located him and brought him to shore but efforts to revive the child were without success.