Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 8, 1999
• Invested on: December 03, 1999

On June 2, 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario, Mike Bowker rescued a 13-year-old boy whose body had been turned into a human torch. The teenager had been playing in his backyard with friends when flammable liquid accidentally spilled from a jug, soaked his clothes, and was ignited by a nearby fire. Mr. Bowker, with complete disregard for his own safety, jumped over a fence, raced to the boy and beat out the flames with his bare hands, then doused the fire with a garden hose. Tragically, the young victim later died from his injuries.