Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: September 24, 1984
• Invested on: March 15, 1985

Late on the afternoon of 18 September 1983, Charlie Manning rescued two friends from certain drowning in Higher Fish Lake. The trio had travelled northward to an isolated area to check their fishing nets. Non-swimmers the two friends were in the canoe when it suddenly capsized. Realizing that the men were in great danger of drowning, Mr. Manning, who had witnessed the accident from shore, dove in. Seeing their strength diminishing rapidly in the cold water, he swam the seventy-five metres to the canoe while urging them to hang on. Although himself a poor swimmer, he sustained his efforts and pulled the overturned canoe to shore as the victims clung to its sides. On reaching land, he was nearly exhausted but quickly lit a fire and kept the practically unconscious pair awake and warm until they recovered.