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"I would have followed him through Hell," said one of the men who was serving with George Pearkes at Passchendaele where he won the Victoria Cross. If his men were devoted to him, he was equally so to them. In the character of this distinguished Canadian soldier and statesman "most conspicuous bravery," "utmost gallantry," and "supreme contempt of danger" were combined with a deep sense of duty and a zeal for service. Set against the background of Canada's twentieth century transformation from a rural and agricultural society into an urban technological nation, General Pearkes's career makes a compelling biographical study. After proving up his homestead in Alberta, Pearkes joined the Royal North West Mounted Police and served in the Yukon until he was able to purchase his discharge and enlist in 1915. In Europe he was soon in the trenches, where, wounded five times, he saw the Canadian Army engage in battle after battle on the Western Front and win a reputation as an elite corps. In the two decades between the World Wars Pearkes served in the small permanent force as district commander, deputy commandant at the Royal Military College, Kingston, and as Director of Military Training in Ottawa. Neglect and apathy in the 1920's and financial stringencies and isolationism in the 1930's made the task of maintaining the militia in a state of preparedness increasingly difficult. When the inevitable war broke out in September 1939, Pearkes was among those who had to forge the weapon. Until late in 1942, when he was recalled to Canada to take charge of the Pacific Command, Pearkes served overseas training the 2nd Brigade and later the 1st Division as the Battle of Britain was waged overhead and plans and techniques for the eventual invasion of Europe were perfected. Back in Canada he became involved in the major political furore caused by the continuing need for reinforcements. Pearkes's role in the conscription crisis and the "Generals' Revolt" sheds new light on these important issues. Shortly before the war ended, Pearkes retired, but he soon accepted the call to stand as a member of Parliament. From 1945 to 1960, when he was appointed lieutenant-governor of British Columbia, he served as a Conservative defence critic and as Minister of Defence in the Diefenbaker cabinet. He was deeply involved in the highly charged and hotly debated decisions of the cold war era, including Bomarc, the Arrow, NATO, NORAD, and provisions for civil defence, and his views on them will be significant to those interested in Canadian political and military history.
The Victoria Cross can only be awarded 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. It has been awarded only 1,354 times since the Crimean War, the majority going to British and Commonwealth troops. Symbol of Courage vividly brings the story of the medal to life, giving a narrative history from the Crimean War to the recent war in Afghanistan. It includes many first-hand accounts of individual acts of bravery and describes what happened to the VC holders, some of whom found it was harder wearing the medal than winning it. It also gives a complete listing of every VC holder with details of the action in which they won the medal. Written by acclaimed military historian Max Arthur, this is a fascinating and comprehensive study that will appeal to everyone who is interested in military history.The Victoria Cross is Britains most famous medalit has a great emotional appeal and this book is full of stories of remarkable courage. Max Arthurs last book, Forgotten Voices of the Great War, sold over 84,000 copies in paperback for Ebury. The first book for many years to give a complete history of the medal. There are many Commonwealth holders so there should be a market outside the UK.
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