George Pearkes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
The Honourable George Pearkes, VC, PC, CC, CB, DSO, MC, CD
George Pearkes
In office
1960 – 1968
Preceded by Frank Mackenzie Ross
Succeeded by John Robert Nicholson
Born 28 February 1888
Died 30 May 1984

George Randolph Pearkes, VC, PC, CC, CB, DSO, MC, CD (February 28, 1888 - May 30, 1984) was a Canadian politician, soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Born in Watford, England, the oldest child of Louise and George Pearkes, he attended Berkhamsted School. In 1906, he emigrated to Alberta with his brother and they settled near Red Deer. He served with the North-West Mounted Police in Yukon.

He donated a ceremonial sword to Berkhamsted School to be awarded each year to the school's best senior NCO cadet.

[edit] Military career & Victoria Cross

In 1915, he enlisted in with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. During the notorious Battle of Passchendaele his gallantry as detailed in the following citation won him the Victoria Cross.

"For most conspicuous bravery and skilful handling of the troops under his command during the capture and consolidation of considerably more than the objectives allotted to him, in an attack. Just prior to the advance Major Pearkes was wounded in the thigh. Regardless of his wound, he continued to lead his men with the utmost gallantry, despite many obstacles.
At a particular stage of the attack his further advance was threatened by a strong point which was an objective of the battalion on his left, but which they had not succeeded in capturing. Quickly appreciating the situation, he captured and held this point, thus enabling his further advance to be successfully pushed forward.
It was entirely due to his determination and fearless personality that he was able to maintain his objective with the small number of men at his command against repeated enemy counter attacks, both his flanks being unprotected for a considerable depth meanwhile.
His appreciation of the situation throughout and the reports rendered by him were invaluable to his Commanding Officer in making dispositions of troops to hold the position captured.
He showed throughout a supreme contempt of danger and wonderful powers of control and leading."[1]

Following the First World War he became a career officer in the army. Pearkes served as staff officer in Winnipeg, Calgary and at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston. From 1938 to 1940 he was District Officer Commanding 13th Military District. From 1939 to 1940, he was Commanding Officer 2nd Brigade. From 1940 to 1942, he was General Officer Commanding 1st Canadian Division, England. From 1942 to 1945, he was General Officer Commander in Chief Pacific Command. He retired in 1945.

During the Second World War, in 1944, Pearkes was instrumental in suppressing the Terrace Mutiny, a revolt by conscripts stationed in Terrace, British Columbia resulting from the announcement that conscripts would be deployed overseas.

[edit] Political career

In 1945 federal election, he was elected as a Progressive Conservative Party candidate in the riding of Nanaimo, British Columbia. He was re-elected in 1949. In the 1953 election, he was elected in the riding of Esquimalt—Saanich, British Columbia. He was re-elected in the 1957 and 1958 elections.

He was Minister of National Defence from 1957 to 1960.

[edit] Lieutenant Governor

He became Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia on October 13, 1960, and became one of the few Lieutenant Governors to agree to an extended term, serving until July 1968.

In 1967, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

[edit] Family

In August 1925, he married Constance Blytha Copeman. A daughter, Priscilla Edith ("Pep"), was born in 1928 though she died while still a young child. A son, John Andre, born in 1931.

[edit] Legacy

Photo by Terry Macdonald - June 1995
Photo by Terry Macdonald - June 1995

Pearkes' name has been honoured in various ways, including:

[edit] Victoria Cross

[edit] Details

He was 29 years old, and an Acting Major in the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 30 October 1917 near Passchendaele, Belgium, Major Pearkes, although wounded in the right thigh, continued to lead his men with the utmost gallantry, despite many obstacles. It was entirely due to his determination and fearless personality that he was able to maintain his objective with the small number of men at his command against repeated enemy counter-attacks. His appreciation of the situation and the reports rendered by him were invaluable to his commanding officer. He showed throughout a supreme contempt of danger and wonderful powers of command and leadership.

[edit] Further information

He later achieved the rank of Major General. Grave/memorial at Buried at Holy Trinity Cemetery, West Saanich, Sidney, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Section 4 - West. Headstone.

[edit] The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Canadian War Museum (Ottawa, Canada).

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Alan Chambers		 Member of Parliament for Nanaimo
1945-1953		 Succeeded by
Colin Cameron
Preceded by
The electoral district was created in 1952.		 Member of Parliament for Esquimalt—Saanich
1953-1960		 Succeeded by
George Louis Chatterton
Preceded by
Frank Mackenzie Ross		 Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia
1960-1968		 Succeeded by
John Robert Nicholson
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../g/e/o/George_Pearkes_93e9.html"