Jean Victor Allard
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General Jean Victor Allard, CC, CBE, GOQ, DSO, ED, CD (June 12, 1913 - April 23, 1996) was the first French-Canadian to become Chief of the Defence Staff, the highest position in the Canadian Forces from 1966–1969. He was also the first to hold the accompanying rank of (full, four-leaf) general.
Allard served as an officer in the Régiment de Trois-Rivières prior to World War II. He was mobilized in the rank of major. When his regiment converted to an English-speaking unit, he requested a transfer to the Infantry and became the Deputy Commanding Officer of the Régiment de la Chaudière in England. In December 1943, he became the Commanding Officer of the Royal 22e Régiment in Italy. He was in command of a brigade at the end of the war in Germany, in the rank of brigadier (now brigadier-general). He was the Canadian Military Attaché in Moscow after the war and then commanded the Canadian brigade in Korea. As a major-general, he commanded a British Division in NATO, as part of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).
As a lieutenant-general, he commanded Mobile Command, comprising the Canadian land forces in Canada and, at that time, the close air support forces, as well.
From 1966 to 1969, he was Chief of the Defence Staff. It was under his supervision that the Canadian Forces were integrated. He is also remembered for the implementation of a significant expansion of French-language units (FLUs) in the Army (the creation of a French-language brigade at CFB Valcartier with units of all arms and services), in the Air Force (the creation of French-language squadrons) and in the Navy (the creation of French-language ships).
In 1968, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.
In 1985, he published his memoirs, with English translation in 1988 The memoirs of General Jean V. Allard, written in cooperation with Serge Bernier.
[edit] Honours
The Général-Jean-Victor-Allard Building, the home of the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, was named in honour of General Allard.
[edit] References
- Jean V. Allard, C.C., C.B.E., G.O.Q., D.S.O., E.D., C.D.. Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. Retrieved on February 1, 2005.
- Hansard, Wednesday, April 24, 1996. Canadian House of Commons. Retrieved on February 1, 2005.
- Jean V. Allard. "Mémoires du Général Jean V. Allard". Ottawa, Les Éditions de Mortagne, 1985. ISBN 2-89074-190-7
[edit] External links
| Military Offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Position held by the Chief of the General Staff |
Commader, Mobile Command 1965-1966 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
| Preceded by F.R. Miller |
Chief of the Defence Staff 1966-1969 |
Succeeded by F.R. Sharp |
