Corporal Charlie Giorgianni
British Empire Medal – RCAF Station Botwood – Award effective 1 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 113/44 dated 21 January 1944. Born in Angus, Ontario, 2 December 1918. Home in Barrie, Ontario; enlisted in Toronto, 19 December 1940. DHist File 181.009 D.3061 (RG.24 Vol.20635) has recommendation and correspondence; events happened on 12 August 1943. In the previous winter he had also given good service clearing roads of snow.

“When a dangerous fire broke out in a town in the vicinity of his
unit and threatened to become a major conflagration owing to a very high
wind, this NCO, in spite of the intense heat, smoke and flying embers,
and with no regard for personal safety, repeatedly drove an RCAF
bulldozer into the flames, levelling the burning buildings and sheds
which made an effective fire break, thereby greatly assisting the fire
fighters in bringing the fire under control. The courageous actions of
this airman undoubtedly contributed in averting a very serious
conflagration resulting in minimizing the damage to property and loss of
life.”