On July 9, 1953, Air Cadet Hector J. Moore of No. 294 Chatham Squadron was playing with friends on the bank of the River Thames when Jeanne Gauthier, aged ten, fell into the deep water.

Cadet Moore dived in and brought the struggling girl within reach of his friends who lifted her to safety. The young cadet, however, was exhausted from his efforts and drowned through lack of strength to save himself.

His outstanding heroism has been recognized by the Minister of National Defence with the posthumous award of the Cadet Award for Bravery, presented only to those cadets who knowingly risk their lives in order to save the lives or property of others.