Veteran's Week . . .

Milo

On Sept. 9, 1916, on the Somme battlefront, Corporal Lionel Beaumarice (Leo) Clarke singlehandedly defended a captured German trench. Using a revolver and two captured rifles he repulsed a counter-attack led by two German officers and consisting of more than two dozen troops. Clarke's actions secured the vital Canadian flank position, and hastened the end of the Somme offensive. Though later killed in battle, Clarke was awarded the Victoria Cross, this nation's highest award for bravery and valour.

Lest we forget . . .

Milo

Courage is not shown by force of arms . . .

On October 9th, 1916, artillery rained down on the enemy positions as the Canadian Scottish Regiment prepared to go "over the top". when they reached the wire on the other side of No Man's Land they discovered the barrage had not cut the wire as planned. At this point withering enemy fire began to cut down the Canadians. James Richardson, attending to his stricken Sargeant Major, asked if there was anything he could do to help. "Aye, mon, gie them the wind," came the reply. With that, Richardson rose from his protection in the shell hole and began to march back and forth across the length of the wire entanglements, playing the regimental airs on his bagpipes. Ignoring the shellbursts and gunfire, the lone piper played on, inspiring his fellow troops with his courage, so that they soon took the German position. Later, when detailed to escort wounded men back to the aid stations, Richardson realized he had left his pipes behind. Despite warnings of the risks, he went back alone to retrieve them, and was never seen again.

James Richardson was awarded the Victoria Cross for uncommon valour in the face of the enemy, and did so without firing a shot.

SuitedPair

• William Hall was the first Nova Scotian to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
• Not only that; he was also the first African Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
• His parents had been slaves and escaped aboard a British ship bound for Nova Scotia.
• Recorded events differ, but William Hall joined Nova Scotia's merchant marines when he was around 15 years old.
• In 1852, while his trading ship was in England, he joined the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman.
• For his efforts in the Crimean War, William Hall was given the Turkish War Medal and the British War Medal.
• During the Indian Mutiny in 1858, he served on the HMS Shannon under the command of a Lieutenant T.J. Young.
• The ship was ordered to take a gun brigade to help the British troops gain back a lost fort at Lucknow, India.
• Hall volunteered to help move and man the guns that would be trying to break through a thick walled mosque that was used in defense of the fort.
• Hall and Lieutenant Young were the last of the gun crews still left as all had been killed or wounded.
• Under fire from the mosque, Hall continued to load and fire his heavy gun until a hole had opened in the wall allowing the troops to gain entrance and regain the fort.
• The awards given to William Hall include the Victoria Cross, the highest medal given in the British Commonwealth.

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Addendum . . . Hall was the first person from a British Dominion to be awarded the VC. Prior to his award, all recipients had hailed from England. Hall's remains lie honorably in Hantsport Baptist Cemetery, and his medals in the Nova Scotia Museum.

Milo

was a British born Montrealer in the royal Montreal Regiment. An exceptional soldier, his citation reads, in part, "this officers bravery and dash undoubtedly saved many lives for, had not this position been captured, the raidning party would have been exposed to dangerous enfillading fire during the withdrawal. His leadership has at all times been beyond praise."

McKean had been decorated for bravery prior to being awarded the VC, and would be honoured again afterword. In September, 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for leading an attack on the village of Caigmicourt, during which he was wounded. He received both honours from King George V, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Milo

The citation tells the story . . .

On 28th September, near Cambrai, when the advance of the brigade was held up by fire from both flanks and by thick uncut wire, he crawled forward alone, exploring the wire until he found a small gap, through which he subsequently led his men and forced an entry into the enemy trench. The enemy counterattacked in force and, through a lack of bombs (grenades) the situation was soon critical. Although wounded, Lt. Gregg returned alone under terrific fire and collected a further supply. Then, rejoining his party, which by this time was greatly reduced in numbers, and in spite of being wounded a second time, he reorganized and led his men against the enemy with great determination, finally clearing and securing the trench.

He personally killed or wounded 11 of the enemy, captured 25 prisoners. though wounded, he continued to lead his men until 30th September, when he was grievously wounded in battle. the outstanding valour of this officer saved many casualties, and permitted the advance to continue.

Milo

The first VC of WW2 was the last to be gazetted. Osborn was a member of the Winnipeg Grenadiers, sent to bolster the defense of Hong Kong. On the morning of Dec.19 1941 his company was deployed to seize the hills known as Jardine's Lookout and Mt. Butler. IT soon became separated. Oasborn's group took Mt. Butler at bayonet point, but their position soon became untenable, due to the superior numbers of Japanese troops. Forced to withdraw, Oaborn led a group of men who covered the retreat, then Osborn single handedly held off the advancing Japanes, while the remainder of his men withdrew. He himself escaped by dodging heavy rifle and machine gun fire back to his own lines. Later in the afternoon, the company became separated from the batallion, and fell within grenade range of the enemy. As grenade after grenad landed in their position, Osborn continually grabbed them and through them back. Finally, one landed in a position that he could not get to . . . shouting "Duck lads", Osborn threw himself on the grenade, saving his men, but dying instantly when it exploded. Sgt-Major Osborn has no known grave, but his name appears on the Hong Kong Memeorial, and the British Army Victoria Barracks on the island were renamed in his honour.

Greater love hath no man . . .

Macke

I am relation of Tommy Ricketts.

The youngest person to ever be awarded the Victoria Cross in a combatant role

piggypie123

My mothers father (my Grandpa, who I never met.) was in the Princess Patricia infantry, in WW2. When my mother was born, my grandparents gave her the name Patricia, named after the infantry. Now it has been carried down to my daughter who`s name is Emma Patricia Murray.
Just thought I`d share that.

Milo

German air defenses were busy on the night of June 12-13, 1944. 200 Lancaster bomber from 6 Group RCAF. The tail gunner of Andy Mynarski's plane reported "bogies astern", and the flight was soon under attack. In short order, the plane's port engines were knocked out, and the fuel tank caught fire. The signal was given to bail out, and all crew left the plane, save for Mynarski and his friend Pat Brophy. Mynarski, on his way to nail out, found Brophy trapped in his rear turret due to hydraulic failure. Instead of bailing out, Mynarski crawled though burning hydraulic fluid to get to his friend and try to free him. Chopping at the turret with a fire axe was inneffective, and Brophy was pleading with Mynarski to save himself, seeing that Mynarski's uniform was ablaze. Unable to do more, and on fire from the waist down, Mynarski crawled back throuigh the flames to the escape hatch, saluted his comrade, and exited the plane. Mynarski's descent was observed from the ground, his unifrom and parachute was on fire the whole way to the ground, but he survived the escape, only to die later of his burns and other injuries. Miraculously, Brophy survived the crash, or we would never have heard of Mynarski's gallantry in the face of horrible conditions.

Milo

Operation Varsity, 24 March, 1945, over 1300 gliders disgorged paratroopers near Wesel on the east banks of the Rhine in Germany. Immediately upon landing, Topham heard the cries of a wounded soldier. Two other orderlies rushed out to aid the stricken man, but were immediately cut down by enemy machine gun fire. Rushing to assist the stricken man, Topham was shot in the face before he could begin rendering aid. Despite this, he continued to render first aid to the injured man, carrying him across the open field under furious enemy fire, to the safety of some nearby woods. Refusing all offers of aid for himself, Topham spent the next two hours bringing more wounded in from the field until being ordered to rejoin his Company. While on the way to his Company, Topham came across a gun carrier that had received a direct hit. Mortar shells were bursting all round the burning vehicle, it's own ammunition exploding, as well. The three crew were wounded and unable to free themselves. Despite orders to stay clear, Topham ignored flames, detonating ammo, and enemy mortar fire to rescue the three men, and carry them across open ground to safety. Though one would later die of his wounds, Topham's Citation reads, in part . . .

This NCO showed sustained gallantry of the highest order. For six hours, most of it in severe pain, he performed a series of acts of extreme bravery, and his magnificent and selfless bravery inspired all who witnessed it.

Upon returning home, Topham received a parade up Bay Street in Toronto of the kind usually reserved for Championship sports teams.

Milo

Canadian soldiers in service of their country - YouTube

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Highway of Heroes in Canada - YouTube

SuitedPair

From the CBC

Full story here on women in the forces. A very good read,

CBC News In Depth: Canada's Military

Canada is considered a progressive nation with respect to its policy of equal access and full gender integration in its Armed Forces.
Women started serving with the Canadian military as nurses in 1885.
Over 2,800 served with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps during the First World War and it was during that era that the role of Canadian women in the military extended beyond nursing. Women were given paramilitary training in small arms, drill, first aid and vehicle maintenance in case they are needed as home guards.
In 1941, the Canadian government recruited over 45,000 women volunteers for full-time military service other than nursing. Women worked as mechanics, parachute riggers and heavy mobile equipment drivers.



In May 2006, Canada experienced its first loss of an active combat female soldier. Capt. Nichola Goddard died on the front lines during a battle against the Taliban in Afghanistan.


2006: Capt. Nichola Goddard is Canada's first female soldier killed in active combat. She was near the front lines serving as a forward artillery observer during a battle with Taliban forces. She was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck her light-armoured vehicle.

Milo

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day . . . this Veteran's Week I have tried to relate some of the stories of Canadian military heroes . . . ordinary men who have done extraordinary things, in the service of their country. To this day, ordinary men and women (like Captain Goddard), still serve, and still sacrifice for this great nation. You do not always have to agree with our government's use of our Military, but recognize that they are ours . . . and we have pledged to honour their service, and to never forget the sacrifices they have made on our behalf. From the Boer War to Vimy, from Grosbeek to Kapyong, and from Bosnia to sierra Leone and Afghanistan, they have gone where they were asked to go, and performed the tasks we set them to complete. They have kept their end of the bargain, and we should do no less. You do not need to attend a Service tomorrow, but a silent two minutes is not too much to ask for all they have given. And with that . . .

Remebrance Day - The Last Post - YouTube


Celtic Legends - Amazing Grace - YouTube