October 30, 1917, marked the renewal of the Canadian assault on Passchendaele. After a one-day pause for the two lead divisions to switch brigades, the 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisions continued their advance uphill. On this day there were countless demonstrations of bravery, but four Canadians would be recognized for their exceptional courage during this most brutal of First World War battles. 

During the carnage at Passchendaele, Major George Pearkes, Lieutenant Hugh McKenzie, Sergeant George Mullin and Private Cecil Kinross all exhibited bravery under fire that would earn them their Victoria Cross.   

Major George Pearkes and the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles he was posted to demonstrated determination in refusing to withdraw when they found themselves in a precarious situation. This refusal to withdraw ensured a Canadian victory. 

Lieutenant Hugh McKenzie and Sergeant George Mullin led an attack on an enemy position. McKenzie was killed, but Mullin and the team completed the attack to capture the pillbox.   

Private Cecil Kinross of the 49th Battalion was caught under heavy enemy fire early in the assault. Surveying the situation, he removed his gear, charged an enemy machine gun, killed the crew of six, and destroyed the gun. By mid-afternoon, the PPCLI was storming the strongpoints of the Meetcheele crossroads

All four men Pearkes, McKenzie (posthumously), Mullin, and Kinross were awarded the Victoria Cross for their outstanding valour on that day.  

For more information on the "Day by Day" activity of the First World War, visit First World War Day by Day on the Friends WebSite.

The fall of 2023 ushers in another year at Canada’s two Canadian Military Colleges (CMCs) — the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario, and Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean) in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, are two complementary military universities that provide their students with a different type of education.  

The CMCs offer, amongst other programmes, the Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) — a fully subsidized education plan leading to an undergraduate degree and a commission as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

As a ROTP officer and naval cadet at a CMC, you will embark on an invigorating journey to become a part of a proud heritage. Officer cadets and naval cadets are enabled to excel by being immersed in an environment that values excellence in academics, military training, physical fitness, second language proficiency and leadership. 

The CMC environment cultivates discipline, motivation and mutual respect. The motto of the two schools — Truth, Duty, Valour — guides staff and officer and naval cadets throughout their time in school and beyond. 

May all the students have a safe and successful year. 

On April 19, 2011, Private Taumy St-Hilaire, while on deployment to Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment, demonstrated exceptional courage in what would be considered a truly selfless act. 

A former football player, Taumy joined the Army in 2010. On April 19, while on patrol in the village of Chalghowr, his unit came under enemy fire and the patrol scattered for cover. 

During the engagement, Taumy spotted an Afghan father and son caught in the crossfire. On his own initiative and despite enemy aggression from three separate positions, he requested covering fire and went in the direction of where the father and son were sheltering. Despite the extreme danger to himself, he retrieved the two Afghans and led them to safety. 

Private St-Hilaire’s action is truly remarkable, considering the extreme circumstances and conditions that Canadian troops were engaged in.   

The Friends salute you, Taumy, for your service.

Awarded on: May 17, 2012
Invested on: November 15, 2012

"This remarkable team remains a symbol of aviation excellence, not just to Canadians, but to the many international audiences who witnessed the Golden Hawks’ sterling performances in five seasons from 1959 to 1963."

With the world’s best fighter aircraft of its era - the Canadian-built F-86 Sabre - the team’s pilots and their supporting ground crew personnel were of the highest calibre. I personally knew all of the Golden Hawk pilots, and can attest to the fact that they were the cream of the RCAF at a time when our air force was generally acknowledged to be the best in NATO."

General (Retired) Paul D. Manson, OC, CMM, CD

The 1959 Golden Hawk pilots (L - R, front to back): F/O Bill Stewart, F/L Ralph Annis, F/L JT Price, S/L Fern Villeneuve (Team Leader), F/L Jim McCombe, F/L Jeb Kerr, F/O Jim Holt and F/L Ed Rozdeba.