Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: July 2, 1979
• Invested on: September 21, 1979

Denis Victor Tesselaar, M.B.
Patrick William Tesselaar, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

Denis and Patrick Tesselaar, aged thirteen and fourteen respectively, saved a friend from drowning in Lake Huron near their town on 30 July 1978. While the boys were swimming, Patrick and the friend had drifted out into open water. Some sixty metres from shore the boy was caught in the undertow, panicked, and called out for help. Patrick swam to him, then shouted to his brother Denis. The latter two held the victim above water on either side and made their way back to shore through heavy waves.