Maxwell Brown, M.B., Bay Roberts, Newfoundland
Medal of Bravery
Maxwell Brown saved a man and his ten-year-old son from drowning at Bay Roberts on June 1, 1974. When they had returned from an outing in their speedboat, the man and the boy attached the craft to its mooring, situated some 50 yards from the beach, and prepared to row ashore in a punt. Stepping forward to join his son in the small boat, the man lost his footing and caused the craft to capsize. Heavily-laden with winter clothes and hip waders, the youth and his father, who were both poor swimmers, struggled to stay afloat. Their plight was noticed from shore by Maxwell Brown who hastily removed his jacket and boots and dove into the frigid water. With courage and tenacity, the rescuer pulled the boy ashore and then returned to the father whose strength had greatly diminished. Although becoming exhausted, himself, Maxwell Brown persisted and pulled the semi-conscious victim to safety.