For Valour

Commemorating the Sixteen Canadian Servicemen awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery during the Second World War 1939-1945

THE CITATIONS

Details of the individual acts of valour that earned sixteen Canadian Servicemen the Victoria Cross during the Second World War

Acknowledgements

This book and the accompanying lithograph were produced to honour the sixteen Canadian servicemen who were awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War. We received valuable assistance from a large number of persons and institutions whom we would like to thank, but especially George Loughton, Curator, Royal Canadian Military Institute; The Canadian Warplane Heritage Inc.; The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry; and The Royal Canadian Legion. The families of the VC recipients helped a great deal, notably those of Major Mahony and Lieutenant Gray. Canada's two surviving VC recipients, Mr. Smith and Mr. Merritt, also contributed time and advice.

Arthur Bishop's book, "Our bravest and Our Best", was the source for much of the historical material herein and Mr. Bishop has kindly assisted us with this project. This publication was produced with the assistance of Veterans Affairs Canada.

Care has been taken to trace ownership of the copyright material contained in this text. However, the publishers welcome any information that enables them to rectify any reference or credit in subsequent editions.

The Citations

Sergeant-Major John Robert OSBORN; Hong Kong, December 19, 1941

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Cecil Ingersoll MERRITT; Dieppe, France, August 19, 1942

Reverend John Weir FOOTE; Dieppe, France, August 19, 1942

Captain Frederick Thornton PETERS; Oran, North Africa, November 8, 1942

Captain Paul TRIQUET; Casa Berardi, Italy, December 14, 1943

Major Charles Ferguson HOEY; Maungdaw, Burma, February 16, 1944

Major John Keefer MAHONY; Melfa River, Italy, May 24, 1944

Pilot Officer Andrew Charles MYNARSKI; Cambrai, France, June 12, 1944

Flight-Lieutenant David Ernest HORNELL; Shetland Islands, United Kingdom, June 24, 1944

Squadron-Leader Ian Willoughby BAZALGETTE; Trossy St. Maximin, France, August 4, 1944

Major David Vivian CURRIE; St. Lambert-sur-Dives, France, August 18, 1944

Private Ernest Alvia SMITH; Savio River, Italy, October 21-22, 1944

Sergeant Aubrey COSENS; Mooshof, Germany, February 25-26, 1945

Major Frederick Albert TILSTON; The Hochwald, Germany, March 1, 1945

Sergeant Frederick George TOPHAM; East of the Rhine, March 24, 1945

Lieutenant Robert Hampton GRAY; Onagawa Wan, Japan, August 9, 1945

Bibliography

BISHOP, Arthur. Our Bravest and Our Best: The Stories of Canada's Victoria Cross Winners, McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1995

MACHUM, George C. Canada's V.C.'s: The Story of Canadians Who Won The Victoria Cross, McClelland & Stewart, 1956

MELVILLE, Douglas A. Canadians and the Victoria Cross, Vanwell, 1987

MUDDOCK, Joyce Emmerson Preston. For Valour and the V.C., published in 1895

PHILLIPS, C.E. Lucas. Victoria Cross Battles of the Second World War, Heineman, 1973

ROE, Frederic Gordon. The Bronze Cross: A Tribute to Those Who Won the Victoria Cross, P.R. Gawthorne, 1945

SWETTENHAM, John. Valiant Men: Canada's V.C. and George Cross Winners, Hakkert, 1973