Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 8, 1981
• Invested on: September 18, 1981

On 7 June 1980, Gerald Henry Covell saved a man and a woman from drowning at the Poonamalie Locks of the Rideau Canal. The couple's pleasure craft burst into flames when its motor was started. Although non-swimmers, the couple jumped into the water to escape the flames. Mr. Covell the lockmaster, alerted by the canalman, immediately drove the short distance to the boat launch. When he arrived the vacationers were in great difficulty. He swam out to the man who was face down in the water about twenty metres from shore. He dragged him to the shore's edge and sat him up, then rushed to the woman and pulled her some fifteen metres to the bank where his colleague assisted. Both victims recovered after a stay at the hospital. Mr. Covell's quick and courageous actions saved their lives.