True and Fascinating Canadian History
Special and Unique Wall Plaques at 'Depot' Division
The Victoria Cross
& Reg.#5529, Constable G. R. Pearkes
of the Members of the Force
Awarded
The Victoria Cross
Today, The Victoria Cross (VC) remains the highest Military Decoration awarded to persons for their bravery 'in the face of the enemy'.
The Victoria Cross takes precedence over all other Orders, Decorations and Medals. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and to civilians under military command.
The VC is usually presented to the recipient or to their next of kin by the British monarch at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace, London, England.
Source: Summarized: From Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Cross
Recepients of The Victoria Cross according to Seniority of Reg.#
Recepients of The Victoria Cross according to Seniority of Reg.#
NWMP Sergeant Richardson served in the Force from 1894 to 1907. With the outbreak of the South African War, he volunteered and went overseas with the Lord Strathcona's Horse. It was in this conflict that he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The London Gazette of September 14, 1900 gave this account: "On July 5, 1900 at Wolve Spruit, a party of Lord Strathcona's Corps, only 38 men in number, was engaged at close quarters with a party of the enemy. When the order to retire had been given, Sgt. Richardson rode back under very heavy cross-fire and picked up a trooper whose horse had been shot and who was wounded in two places and rode with him out of fire. At the time when this act of gallantry was performed, Sgt. Richardson was within 300 yards of the enemy and was himself riding on a wounded horse."
In 1914, Constable Michael O’Leary received a 'Free Discharge' from the Force when he was recalled to Cork, Ireland for the mobilization of his Irish Guards Regiment. On January 1, 1915, Constable O'Leary distinguish himself when he crossed ‘no-man’s land’ in Flanders to knock out two German machine gun positions. For his bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross which was presented to him by His Majesty King George V at Buckingham Palace.
In 1915, Reg.#5529, Constable George Randolph Pearkes 'Purchase his Discharge' from the Force to join WWI and the Canadian Mounted Rifle Battalion. He was wounded five times and his courageous actions during the Battle of Passchendalele, Belgium won him the Victoria Cross. He would also receive the Military Cross for his bravery. He rose to the rank of Major General. After the War, he entered Canadian federal politics. Ottawa's National Defence Building is named after Major General G. R. Pearkes.
