Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1972-10-19
Invested on: 1973-06-22
Niles Gurnsey, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On January 18, 1970, Niles Gurnsey of Kingston, Ontario, a 17-year-old student, rescued a woman from the frigid water off Wolfe Island. The young woman was a passenger in a car which ran off the end of the ferry dock and broke through the ice. The other occupants of the vehicle managed to reach the shore but the young woman, overcome by cold and exhaustion, was in danger of drowning. Realizing her plight, Niles Gurnsey removed his coat and shoes and jumped into the ice-filled water. He swam out to the victim and succeeded in bringing her to the dock where other hands helped them both to safety.