Star of Courage

• Awarded on: August 24, 1972
• Invested on: June 08, 1973

Ernest Edwards, S.C.
Star of Courage

On July 12, 1969, about a mile off the coast of Vancouver Island near Long Beach, a 17-foot boat with ten persons aboard was struck by a huge wave and capsized. All attempted to cling to the overturned craft but before help arrived three of the occupants including two children drowned and a third child later died from exposure. A distress call was heard by Ernest Edwards whose fishing trawler was anchored in the lea of a nearby island. He located the overturned boat in relatively shallow water but treacherous rocks close to the surface made the situation extremely hazardous. Ernest Edwards, who was 69 years of age, had only his 17-year-old grandson as crew. He elected to risk his vessel and their lives in these dangerous waters. He held the stern of his boat seaward while his grandson hauled the five children to safety. Then, crawling out on an extended trolling pole, the grandson succeeded in hoisting one of the adults aboard. Finally, Ernest Edwards left the controls in order to help in rescuing the last adult.