Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: November 5, 1979
• Invested on: October 06, 1982

Maurice Berthiaume, S.C. (Posthumous)
Star of Courage
Jean Jeanneret, M.B.
Daniel Larrivée, M.B.
Denis Paiement, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

Maurice Berthiaume, a volunteer fireman at Richelieu, Quebec, drowned in the attempt to rescue a young man from the turbulent Richelieu River on 26 May 1978. The teenager, aged seventeen, and a companion were in a small rubber raft when it capsized fifty metres from shore. The young man clung to the dinghy while his friend was carried away by the current, to be rescued by others near the shore. When police and firemen heard of the accident Mr. Berthiaume, along with Jean Jeanneret and Daniel Larrivée, went out in a motor-boat which, when it came close to the victim, suddenly spun round and sank. Mr. Jeanneret, having fastened a rope round his waist, was brought to shore along with Mr. Larrivée by colleagues on shore. On their way they rescued Denis Paiement who had entered the river to help and was now himself in difficulties. The youth was also brought in, by others near the shore. Mr. Berthiaume, however, was still struggling to stay afloat. His strength now exhausted, he was carried down stream and drowned.