Tag: military-cross
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LCol William George Barker VC in the Great War
British Empire’s Most Decorated Serviceman The deadliest air fighter who ever lived LCol William George Barker, VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Two Bars, Silver Medal, Croix du Guerre, 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal, the most decorated serviceman in the history of Canada, and the British Commonwealth. LCol William ‘Billy’ George Barker, the less famous of the two ‘Billies’, eclipsed…
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Captain William W Rogers MC in the Great War
Captain William W Rogers MC the first Allied pilot to shoot down one of Germany’s feared Gotha bombers. William Wendell Rogers William Wendell Rogers born 10 November 1896 in Alberton, Prince Edward Island. His grandfather, Benjamin Rogers, a prominent political figure in Charlottetown since he had joined the Provincial Legislative Council in 1872. Benjamin Rogers…
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Nursing Sister Evelyn Verrall McKay in the Great War
NS Evelyn Verrall McKay served with Lt-Col John McCrae in No. 3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill), and like the author of In Flanders Fields, died under similar circumstances later in 1918. Evelyn born on 24 November 1892 in Galt, Ontario. The fifth of six daughters born to Mark Smith McKay and Sarah Marie Verrall. Enlistment…
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RSM James Kay in the Great War
Humble Beginnings RSM James Kay born 19 February 1880 in Torhead Croft, Pluscarden Valley near Elgin, Moray, Scotland. An only child of Helen Smith and Alexander Kay and lived with his grandparents John and Mary Smith of Torhead, Pluscarden, Elgin, Scotland. Boer War In 1900 at the age of 19 he joined the 2nd Battalion…
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Captain Coulson Norman Mitchell VC MC in the Great War
First Victoria Cross Engineer Captain Coulson Norman Mitchell VC MC earned his medals of valour with No.1 Tunneling Company and 4th Battalion, Canadian Engineers in the Great War. Coulson Norman Mitchell the only Canadian Engineer to have earned the highest medal of valour in the British Empire – the Victoria Cross. Early Life of Coulson…
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Winnipeg Grenadiers in the Great War
The 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers) led by Lieutenant-Colonel James Kirkcaldy. Two Victoria Crosses (Honey and Tait), the only surviving quadruple-amputee (Curley Christian) and the HALLU EIGHT, only a few of their incredible stories. 78th Canadian Infantry Battalion The 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers) organized in July 1915 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James Bertram Mitchell,…
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Captain James Ward in the Great War
Three Awards of the Military Cross Captain James Ward of the Canadian Field Artillery the only soldier of the CEF to have died in the Great War uniquely earning the Military Cross and 2 Bars, in addition to the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The Military Cross (MC) the second-level military decoration awarded to officers of Commonwealth countries. The Manor House, Kilsby James…
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Captain William Frederick Tucker in the Great War
Unsung Hero Captain William Frederick Tucker rose in the ranks from a Private in the 29th (Vancouver) Battalion – Tobin’s Tigers. Tucker earned two medals of gallantry, wounded and remained at duty during the Battle of the Somme, and Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig. Company Sergeant Major Tucker earned his Military Medal on…
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Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey VC in the Great War
Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey, VC, MC an Irish-born Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, Canadian soldier and rugby union player. During the Great War, while serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Lieutenant Frederick Harvey awarded the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. Harvey, born in Athboy, County Meath, Ireland,…
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22nd Battalion (French Canadian) in the Great War
Van Doos Royal 22e Régiment The 22nd Battalion (French Canadian) also known as Royal 22e Régiment, or more familiarly, The Van Doos (English translation of vingt-deux). Organized in October 1914 under the command of Colonel Frédéric-Mondelet Gaudet, CMG. Mobilized at St-Jean, Québec. Recruited throughout the province of Québec. Second in command, Lt-Col Charles Tarien Tarieu De Lanaudière.…