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| Photo courtesy Canadian War Museum |
The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa has unveiled a new display which showcases the medal sets of the Canadians who were awarded the Victoria Cross during the Battle of Hill 70.
The battle took place near Lens in northern France between August 15 – 25, 1917.
“The capture of Hill 70 was one of the hardest-fought victories for Canada during the First World War,” said Mark O’Neill, president of the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History. “We are proud to commemorate that victory by giving these medals a special place at the War Museum. Together, these medals tell a story of extraordinary collective achievement, through six Canadians of different ranks and backgrounds who showed great courage and leadership when it counted most.”
The Victoria Cross is the highest military honour for bravery in battle and was created by Queen Victoria in 1856. During the First World War, 73 Canadians were awarded the medal.
Six Canadians were awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions on Hill 70. They were: Sergeant Frederick Hobson (killed in action), Corporal Filip Konowal (survived the war), Private Harry Brown (killed in action), Private Michael James O’Rourke (survived the war), Acting-Major Okill Massey Learmonth (killed in action) and Sergeant-Major Robert Hill Hanna (survived the war).
The Canadian War Museum holds 39 of the 99 Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians, of which 33 are from the First World War.