Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: January 25, 2007
• Invested on: June 15, 2007

Gerald Alfred Strickland, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On January 23, 2006, Gerald Strickland saved an elderly couple from their burning house in Newman's Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. After entering the flaming house, he called out to the occupants and heard a muffled reply from the man. Through the blinding smoke, Mr. Strickland made his way towards the kitchen where he bumped into the man's wheelchair, stuck in the doorway. Although gasping for air, Mr. Strickland was able to free the chair and bring the man outside. Only once they were outside did he notice that the victim's wife had been holding onto the chair as it was pulled to safety, seconds before the house was completely destroyed by the flames.