Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1997-12-12
Invested on: 1998-05-15
Fraser Bagwell, M.B.
Warren St. Claire Slauenwhite, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On May 29, 1995, Fraser Bagwell and Warren Slauenwhite rescued a fisherman who had accidentally fallen off their fishing boat some 300 kilometers from St. John's, Newfoundland. The crew of The Digby Challenger was fishing scallops near the Grand Banks when a man fell overboard. Unable to reach the ropes and life jackets thrown to him, the panicked non-swimmer began to submerge. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Mr. Slauenwhite jumped into the water. He grabbed hold of the sinking man and pulled him back to the surface. Meanwhile, Mr. Bagwell had also jumped in and together, they tied a rope around the unconscious man. Despite being hampered by their heavy clothes and the extreme cold, they managed to keep the victim afloat until he was hauled back onboard.