True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: October 2013
Reg.#5529, Major General George Randolph Pearkes,
VC, PC, CC, CB, DSO, MC, CD, OD.
World War I and Victoria Cross Medal Recipient
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Most people in Ottawa are familiar with the Department of Defence Building which is located downtown. Most of us have driven by it on numerous occasions and may even remember when it was possible to literally drive underneath it as a shortcut between Colonel By Drive and Nicholas St. However, not very many Canadians would know that the DOD Building is named after a very distinguished person who served our country honourably and admirably as a police officer, military officer and politician, Major-General George Randolph Pearkes.
Many men who began their careers in the RCMP became soldiers in response to Canada’s engagement in war. Many of these men also performed heroic acts of bravery. Yet, Reg.#5529, Constable George R. Pearkes' service record stands out based not only on his courageous acts in WWI, but also due to his impressive military career, his significant contribution to Canadian politics and his rich community service.
George Pearkes was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. Accompanied by his younger brother, the pair immigrated to Canada in 1906 and settled in Red Deer, AB. Pearkes joined the RNWMP on February 13, 1913 and he went on to serve in the Yukon until the outbreak of WWI. Pearkes then 'Purchased his Discharge' from the RNWMP to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and was assigned to the 2nd Regiment of the Canadian Mounted Rifles. At 29 years of age, he found himself at the Battle of Passchendaele as an Acting Major, and it was here that his bravery and courage in the face of the enemy was recognized with the highest military distinction, the Victoria Cross. The citation read,
“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 Maj. Pearkes was wounded in the left 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.” (London Gazette. No.30471, 11 January 1918).
This man of courage and capability was subsequently promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant-Colonel and Major-General.
After WWI, George Pearkes joined the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and was posted to Calgary, AB. He married in 1925 and he and his wife had two children. As time went on, Pearkes served in Winnipeg, MB, Calgary, AB and at the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON.
In 1939, former Constable Pearkes joined WWII as a Brigadier-General and he commanded the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. In 1942, he was appointed as General Officer of the Pacific Command which was responsible for defending the West Coast of Canada.
In 1957, Mr Pearkes entered federal politics and won the Conservative seat for the Nanaimo, BC riding. He was named Minister of Defence under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. Mr. Pearkes resigned from federal politics in 1960 and was then he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia. He held the LG's Office until 1968. He retired in Victoria, BC.
Mr. Pearkes led a highly distinguished military career and rose to the rank of Major-General. Among the Military Awards which he won were: the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. General Pearkes died on May 30, 1984. He was buried beside Holy Trinity Church in West Saanich, BC. He ended his career as a Lieutenant-Governor, but he started his career as a constable with the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. The Major-General George Pearkes Building, National Defence Building, Ottawa, ON is named in his honour. As citizens of Ottawa it is good for us to know something about the people whose names we may see on a sign or etched in the stone of a building. The Mounties are proud to claim Major-General Pearkes as one of our own.
No 30471. The London Gazette (Supplement). January 8th, 1918. p.722
Wikipedia George Pearkes
The photo of his grave at the top of this piece was taken from the website FindAGrave. It was taken by Volunteer Mr. Bill Mullen.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy,
October 23, 2013
