Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: February 25, 1974
• Invested on: February 14, 1975

On November 15, 1972, Thomas Patterson rescued a party of duck hunters whose boat capsized in the frigid water of Ostrea Lake, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia. Four hunters were crossing the lake in a twelve-foot boat when it began to ship water and capsized. With the weight of their heavy clothing and high rubber boots, the men could not attempt to swim ashore and all four clung to the overturned craft. Thomas Patterson who was at a camp nearby heard their cries for help and set out in a flat bottomed boat equipped with a 3 1/2 horsepower motor. It took about half-an-hour to reach the victims. By skilful manoeuvring he enabled them to grasp the sides of the boat and one after another they were helped aboard. The return trip in the heavily laden craft required great caution. It is due to Thomas Patterson's courage and cool headedness that the four were rescued.