Star of Courage

• Awarded on: August 24, 1972
• Invested on: June 08, 1973

G. Winder Smith, S.C. (deceased)
Star of Courage

G. Winder Smith, a retired headmaster of a boys' school, who was then 67 years of age, plunged into the freezing waters of the Otonabee River near Lakefield, Ontario, in an attempt to rescue a drowning boy. On the afternoon of February 14, 1968, when it was already growing dark, the five-year-old fell from the dock of Davey's Marina into the frigid water. Mr. Smith, who was driving by at the time, saw the boy in distress. Stopping his car, he threw off his coat and waded into the freezing water wearing heavy flight boots, and swam approximately 50 yards into the swiftly flowing river to reach the boy. Seizing the inert body with one hand, he swam to the ice near shore where he was assisted by another man. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain as the child was already dead.