George Pearkes

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The Honourable George Pearkes, VC, PC, CC, CB, DSO, MC, CD

20th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
In office 1960 – 1968
Preceded by	Frank Mackenzie Ross
Succeeded by	John Robert Nicholson
Born	28 February 1888
Died	30 May 1984

George Randolph Pearkes, VC, PC, CC, CB, DSO, MC, CD (February 28, 1888 - May 30, 1984) was a Canadian politician, soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Military career 3 Political career 4 Lieutenant Governor 5 Family 6 Legacy 7 Victoria Cross 7.1 Details 7.2 Further information 7.3 The medal 7.4 References 8 External links

[edit] Early life

Born in Watford, England, the oldest child of Louise and George Pearkes, he attended Berkhamsted School. In 1906, he immigrated to Alberta with his brother and they settled near Red Deer. He served with the North-West Mounted Police in Yukon.

He donated a ceremonial sword to Berkhamsted School to be awarded each year to the school's best senior NCO cadet.

[edit] Military career

In 1915, he enlisted in with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. Following the war he became a career officer in the army. Pearkes served as staff officer in Winnipeg, Calgary and at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston. From 1938 to 1940 he was District Officer Commanding 13th Military District. From 1939 to 1940, he was Commanding Officer 2nd Brigade. From 1940 to 1942, he was General Officer Commanding 1st Canadian Division, England. From 1942 to 1945, he was General Officer Commander in Chief Pacific Command. He retired in 1945.

[edit] Political career

In 1945 federal election, he was elected as a Progressive Conservative Party candidate in the riding of Nanaimo, British Columbia. He was re-elected in 1949. In the 1953 election, he was elected in the riding of Esquimalt—Saanich, British Columbia. He was re-elected in the 1957 and 1958 elections.

He was Minister of National Defence from 1957 to 1960.

[edit] Lieutenant Governor

He became Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia on October 13, 1960, and became one of the few Lieutenant Governors to agree to an extended term, serving until July 1968.

In 1967, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

[edit] Family

In August 1925, he married Constance Blytha Copeman. A daughter, Priscilla Edith ("Pep"), was born in 1928, she later died while still a young child, followed by a son, John Andre, born in 1931.

[edit] Legacy

Pearkes' name has been honoured in various ways, including:

• George R. Pearkes Arena in Saanich, British Columbia.
• Mount Pearkes, along the mainland British Columbia south coast.
• The G.R. Pearkes Centre for Children, a treatment facility for children with cerebral palsy, now part of the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Health in Victoria, British Columbia.
• General George R. Pearkes Elementary School in Hudson's Hope, British Columbia.
• The George R. Pearkes Building which houses the Canadian Department of National Defence Headquarters, in Ottawa.
• The George R. Pearkes, VC Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.
• CCGS George R. Pearkes a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker.
• There are numerous thoroughfares named for him.

[edit] Victoria Cross

[edit] Details

He was 29 years old, and an Acting Major in the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 30 October 1917 near Passchendaele, Belgium, Major Pearkes, although wounded in the right thigh, continued to lead his men with the utmost gallantry, despite many obstacles. 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. His appreciation of the situation and the reports rendered by him were invaluable to his commanding officer. He showed throughout a supreme contempt of danger and wonderful powers of command and leadership.

[edit] Further information

He later achieved the rank of Major General. Grave/memorial at Buried at Holy Trinity Cemetery, West Saanich, Sidney, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Section 4 - West. Headstone.

[edit] The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Canadian War Museum (Ottawa, Canada).

[edit] References

• Monuments to Courage David Harvey, 1999
• "The Register of the Victoria Cross", This England magazine, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - Passchendaele 1917, Stephen Snelling, 1998

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.

[edit] External links

• Order of Canada Citation
• Biography from the website of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
• Political Biography from the Library of Parliament
• Legion Magazine Article about George Pearkes and the Victoria Cross

Preceded by: Alan Chambers	Member of Parliament for Nanaimo 1945-1953	Succeeded by: Colin Cameron
Preceded by: The electoral district was created in 1952.	Member of Parliament for Esquimalt—Saanich 1953-1960	Succeeded by: George Louis Chatterton
Preceded by: Frank Mackenzie Ross	Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia 1960-1968	Succeeded by: John Robert Nicholson