Canadian Recipients of the Victoria Cross Honoured

News Release

“Toll of War” project tells the stories of the valour and sacrifice of Canadians in the World Wars

January 8, 2015 – Fredericton – Department of Canadian Heritage

Funding for a unique visual and educational program that will inform Canadians about the wartime actions and sacrifices of Canadian soldiers during the World Wars was announced today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Member of Parliament (Fredericton), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The “Toll of War” project is managed by the Milton F. Gregg Centre for the Study of War. The project will receive $488,155 to create a national banner campaign and produce educational material about Canada’s Victoria Cross recipients to encourage Canadians to learn more about these individuals and the significance of this transformational period in Canadian history.

Quick Facts

Banners will be installed in key centres across Canada.
National, bilingual, curriculum-based educational materials will be produced with a focus on Canada’s Victoria Cross recipients.
The Victoria Cross was conferred “for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.”
The Victoria Cross was created by Queen Victoria in 1856 and was awarded to Canadians in all conflicts up to the end of the Second World War. The last Victoria Cross to be awarded to a Canadian was in 1945.
There have been 1,351 Victoria Crosses awarded worldwide and 98 to Canadians (Canadian-born, serving in the Canadian Army or having a close link to Canada).
A new Canadian honour, the Canadian Victoria Cross—which retains the same design and the same awarding criteria as the British Victoria Cross—was unveiled by the Governor General on May 16, 2008. It joined a suite of Canadian Military Valour Decorations that include the Star of Military Valour and the Medal of Military Valour.

Quotes

“Without the valour and sacrifice of those who served, Canada would not be the strong, proud and free country it is today. As we move closer to the 150^th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, this project will highlight the stories of these Canadians and the significance of the World Wars in shaping our national identity.”

—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“The banners will be a unique visual representation that will connect Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Through the supporting educational materials, Canadians can develop a deeper understanding of the shared history and values of our country.”

—The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Member of Parliament (Fredericton)

“The Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society at the University of New Brunswick is grateful to the Government of Canada for funding to support its Toll of War project. This funding will allow the Gregg Centre to highlight Canadian Victoria Cross winners, allowing Canadians to learn more about these exceptional individuals and deepening our understanding of Canada’s shared history and values.”

—Dr. Marc Milner, Director, Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society