George Randolph Pearkes
Major, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion. * Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 974 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Major (register: Acting Major) all Majors →
- Unit
- 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion. * Canadian Expeditionary Force (register: 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles) all Canadian Mounted Rifles VCs →
- Date of action
- 30–31 October 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- the 11th January 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- the 26th February, 1888 at Watford, Hertfordshire
- Died
- 13th May 1984 at Victoria, British Columbia
- Memorial / grave
- at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Victoria
Digest of citation
Major Pearkes, although wounded in the left thigh, continued to lead his men with utmost gallantry, in spite of many obstacles. On the 30th/31st October 1917 at Passchendaele, Belgium, when at a particular stage of the attack further advancement was threatened by a strong point, an objective of the Battalion on his left, but they had failed in its capture. Major Pearkes, appreciating the situation, quickly captured and held this strong point. This enabled the advance to continue successfully forward. It was mainly due to his personality and determination that he was able to maintain his objective with the small number of men at his command, repeatedly beating back enemy counter attacks whilst both of his flanks were unprotected. His repeated reports to his commanding officer giving his appreciation of the situation made it possible for them to dispose their troops to advantage and hold the position captured
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
PEARKES, George Randolph. (reg No. 974).
Major. 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion. * Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on the 11th January 1918.
Born on the 26th February, 1888 at Watford, Hertfordshire.
Died on 13th May 1984 at Victoria, British Columbia.
Memorial on grave at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Victoria.
Digest of Citation reads: Major Pearkes, although wounded in the left thigh, continued to lead his men with utmost gallantry, in spite of many obstacles. On the 30th/31st October 1917 at Passchendaele, Belgium, when at a particular stage of the attack further advancement was threatened by a strong point, an objective of the Battalion on his left, but they had failed in its capture. Major Pearkes, appreciating the situation, quickly captured and held this strong point. This enabled the advance to continue successfully forward. It was mainly due to his personality and determination that he was able to maintain his objective with the small number of men at his command, repeatedly beating back enemy counter attacks whilst both of his flanks were unprotected. His repeated reports to his commanding officer giving his appreciation of the situation made it possible for them to dispose their troops to advantage and hold the position captured.
* Quebec Regiment.
Additional information: Major-General Pearkes was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). He also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Military Cross (MC). The United States Legion of Merit He was the General Officer Commanding the 1st Canadian Division in 1940 and in 1942-45 he was the GOC-in-C, Pacific Command, Canada. From 1957-60 he was the Minister of National Defence (Canada), the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia from 1960-68. He was the Overseas Vice-Chairman of the VC and GC Association of 1956-68.
Additional information
Major-General Pearkes was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). He also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Military Cross (MC). The United States Legion of Merit He was the General Officer Commanding the 1st Canadian Division in 1940 and in 1942-45 he was the GOC-in-C, Pacific Command, Canada. From 1957-60 he was the Minister of National Defence (Canada), the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia from 1960-68. He was the Overseas Vice-Chairman of the VC and GC Association of 1956-68.
* Quebec Regiment.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Victoria
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