Star of Courage

• Awarded on: January 19, 1981
• Invested on: March 09, 1981

Hugh Charles Cameron, S.C., M.D.
Star of Courage
William Helmut Endress, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

Early on New Year's Day 1980, Dr. Hugh Cameron and Mr. William Endress rescued a man from the freezing waters of Rice Lake, Ontario. The man and his friend had been skating after a party when they broke through thin ice some twenty metres from shore. Only one man managed to stay afloat; the friend was drowned. Dr. Cameron heard their cries from his cottage and called for help from his friend William Endress. The two located the victim and inched their way over the ice. Dr. Cameron broke through but was pulled out by Mr. Endress. The latter then ran to a cottage for a life-jacket while Dr. Cameron broke the ice and swam out to the victim. But when the latter grasped him tightly around the neck he had to go under to break the grip. By this time Mr. Endress had returned and threw out the life-jacket on a rope. The three men finally reached Dr. Cameron's cottage where the victim received first aid.