Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: September 26, 1983
• Invested on: December 09, 1983

Barry Dean Peyton, M.B.
William John Peyton, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

In Griquet, Newfoundland, early in the afternoon of 1 March 1982, John and Dean Peyton combined efforts to save the life of a four-year-old girl. Three children had ventured onto the ice of the town's harbour when newly formed ice suddenly gave way and the young girl fell into deep water. Appraised of the situation, John Peyton at once went to her rescue. He inched his way over the fragile ice and found his granddaughter lying face-down. As he attempted to pull her to safety the ice collapsed under him and he too plunged into the water. Struggling to maintain the girl's head up, Mr. Peyton's cries for help were heard by seventeen-year-old Dean, who was chopping wood near his home. He rushed to the hole and lifted out the unconscious child, overcome by hypothermia. Then, at considerable risk to his own safety, he pulled the much heavier Mr. Peyton to stronger ice. Relatives and friends gathered around gave the little girl mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in turn. She recovered.