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Categories: 1892 births | 1978 deaths | Canadian World War I Victoria Cross recipients | Historical Members of the Canadian House of Commons | Members of the Order of Canada
Milton Fowler Gregg
Brigadier The Honourable Milton Fowler Gregg, V.C., P.C., O.C., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., D.C.L., (April 10, 1892 - March 13, 1978) was a Canadian Member of Parliament, cabinet minister, academic, soldier, diplomat, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Early life
Born in Mountain Dale, New Brunswick , the son of Elizabeth Celia (Myles) and George Lord Gregg, he graduated with a Master's of Arts from Acadia University in 1916.
Victoria Cross
Details
He was 26 years old, and a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
During the period 27 September to 1 October 1918 near Cambrai, France, Lieutenant Gregg showed most conspicuous bravery and initiative. Although wounded twice, he led his men against enemy trenches in which he personally killed or wounded 11 Germans, took 25 prisoners and captured 12 machine-guns. In spite of his wounds he stayed with his company and a few days later again led his men in attack until severely wounded for the third time.
He later achieved the rank of Brigadier.
The medal
His Victoria Cross was donated to the Royal Canadian Regiment Museum in London, Ontario in 1979. The medal was stolen from the museum in 1980 and has been missing ever since.
Between the wars
From 1934 until 1939 he was the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Commons.
World War II
During World War II, from 1939 until 1944, he was the regimental commander and commandant of the Canadian Army's Officer Training Centres.
Academic career
From 1944 until 1947 he was President of the University of New Brunswick.
Political career
In 1947 he was elected as a Liberal MP in the riding of York--Sunbury, New Brunswick. He was re-elected in 1949 and 1953. He was defeated in 1957. He was the Minister of Fisheries (1947-1948), Minister of Veterans Affairs (1948-1950), and the Minister of Labour (1950-1957).
Diplomatic career
He was the representative of the United Nations in Iraq (1958-1959), of UNICEF in Indonesia (1960-1963), and of Canada in Guyana (1964-1967). He retired in 1968.
He is buried at Snider Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Honours
In 1951 he was awarded an Honourary Doctor of Laws from the University of British Columbia.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada on December 22, 1967 and accepted the award in a ceremony performed on April 26, 1968.
After his death the Milton Fowler Gregg VC Memorial Trust Fund Bursary was created in his name. It is offered annually to students entering the Royal Military College Division of Graduate Studies and Research.
He was inducted into the Queen's Privy Council for Canada on September 2, 1947 by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King.
Reference
- Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Final Days 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 2000)
External links
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
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