Born in Watford, England, he immigrated to Canada in 1906 and served as a Major in the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles, Canadian Expeditionary Force. On October 30, 1917, at Passchendaele, Belgium, Major Pearkes's troops were threatened by a German strongpoint. Quickly evaluating the situation, he captured the position, which enabled him to continue to advance toward his objective, and held it with a small number of men, despite himself being wounded. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in January 1918 and later achieved the rank of Major General. He also went on the be the Canadian Minister of Defense, 1957 to 1960 and Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, 1960 to 1968.
Born in Watford, England, he immigrated to Canada in 1906 and served as a Major in the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles, Canadian Expeditionary Force. On October 30, 1917, at Passchendaele, Belgium, Major Pearkes's troops were threatened by a German strongpoint. Quickly evaluating the situation, he captured the position, which enabled him to continue to advance toward his objective, and held it with a small number of men, despite himself being wounded. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in January 1918 and later achieved the rank of Major General. He also went on the be the Canadian Minister of Defense, 1957 to 1960 and Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, 1960 to 1968.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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