Latest news with #VictoriaCross
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- General
- Cision Canada
Canadian War Museum unveils new display marking the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - In honour of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, the Canadian War Museum unveils a new display. It marks the century-long history of Commissionaires by highlighting the significant contributions of the organization from its beginnings to the present day. Visitors can find the display in Commissionaires Way, the corridor connecting the Museum's main exhibitions to the LeBreton Gallery. Established to provide meaningful employment to veterans, Commissionaires was founded in Montréal in 1925. Since then, the not-for-profit organization has grown to 22,000 employees, including many veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is the largest private-sector employer of veterans in Canada. "We are pleased to present this display highlighting the longstanding relationship between Commissionaires and Canada's veterans," said James Whitham, Director General of the Canadian War Museum. "The display offers visitors a chance to learn about the organization's evolution and its vital role in supporting veterans over a century." "We are delighted with how Commissionaires Way recognizes some of the many extraordinary people who served and continue to serve the Corps throughout our century of service to Canadians," said Commissionaires Chief of Staff, Captain Harry Harsch, OMM, CD, RCN (Ret'd). Developed by the Canadian War Museum, the display highlights veterans from all decades of Commissionaires. It features the Victoria Cross (VC) medal set that belonged to Major Benjamin Handley Geary of the East Surrey Regiment, who earned the decoration for bravery at Hill 60 during the First World War. Also featured is Lieutenant Colin Fraser Barron of the 48th Highlanders, who received the Victoria Cross for capturing three German machine-gun positions in the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele. Modern-day Commissionaires in the display include Ajit Singh and Rodney McAlpine, whose quick thinking saved lives while on the job, and who were recognized with the Commissionaires Medal of Bravery. Also included is Major (Ret'd) Sandra Perron, Canada's first female infantry officer, veterans' advocate, and bestselling author, who serves on the board of Commissionnaires du Québec. The Museum extends its sincere appreciation to Commissionaires for its generous support in bringing this important initiative to life. If you would like to have your name removed from our distribution list or if this information should be directed to someone else, please email us.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Veteran takes last shot to overturn war crime findings
One of Australia's most decorated soldiers has seized a final chance to clear his name of war crime allegations by taking the fight to the nation's highest court. Ben Roberts-Smith sued Nine newspapers for defamation over reports in 2018 that claimed he was complicit in the murder of four unarmed civilians in Afghanistan. Justice Anthony Besanko in 2023 found the claims were substantially true and his findings were upheld by the Federal Court in May after the soldier launched an unsuccessful appeal. But Roberts-Smith, who maintains his innocence, lodged an application on Monday for special leave to appeal both decisions. The former soldier maintains the war crimes claims did not meet the exceptional degree of cogency required for such serious allegations. "The findings brand the applicant a serial war criminal, a criminal condemnation of the most ruinous kind, yet they were reached in civil proceedings absent the criminal trial safeguards," his lawyers wrote in the application. The findings rest on "inconsistent and memory-impaired recollections" adduced more than a decade after the event that were erroneously preferred over "exculpatory" operational records, they argued. While acknowledging the civil standard of proof is the balance of probabilities rather than the higher criminal standard, Roberts-Smith's lawyers say the gravity of the offences required an equivalent standard of proof. "Allegations of war crimes cannot be upheld in civil proceedings unless proved to the exacting degree of cogency that (the Evidence Act) unequivocally demands," they said. The Victoria Cross recipient has not been charged with criminal wrongdoing. Roberts-Smith claims the Federal Court also made an error in assuming he had accepted some allegations which were not re-contested during the appeal. That acceptance was used to bolster the conclusions he was responsible for the murder of four civilians, his lawyers contend. The former SAS corporal is asking for the Federal Court's decision to be overturned and Nine to be ordered to pay his costs for the trial, appeal and High Court contest. The costs of the 110-day trial and the 10-day appeal are estimated to exceed $30 million. The High Court will consider the special leave application and might not announce a decision for weeks. Roberts-Smith was in 2011 awarded Australia's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, for single-handedly taking out machine-gun posts to protect pinned-down fellow soldiers in Afghanistan. Later named Australian Father of the Year, his reputation was tarnished by Nine's explosive reports in 2018 alleging he was complicit in war crimes. One of the allegations taken to be proven on the balance of probabilities was that Roberts-Smith ordered the execution of an elderly prisoner to "blood the rookie" during a raid on a compound known as Whiskey 108. "The problem for (Roberts-Smith) is that, unlike most homicides, there were three eyewitnesses to this murder," the Federal Court judges said in their appeal decision. "When all is said and done, it is a rare murder that is witnessed by three independent witnesses." Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 One of Australia's most decorated soldiers has seized a final chance to clear his name of war crime allegations by taking the fight to the nation's highest court. Ben Roberts-Smith sued Nine newspapers for defamation over reports in 2018 that claimed he was complicit in the murder of four unarmed civilians in Afghanistan. Justice Anthony Besanko in 2023 found the claims were substantially true and his findings were upheld by the Federal Court in May after the soldier launched an unsuccessful appeal. But Roberts-Smith, who maintains his innocence, lodged an application on Monday for special leave to appeal both decisions. The former soldier maintains the war crimes claims did not meet the exceptional degree of cogency required for such serious allegations. "The findings brand the applicant a serial war criminal, a criminal condemnation of the most ruinous kind, yet they were reached in civil proceedings absent the criminal trial safeguards," his lawyers wrote in the application. The findings rest on "inconsistent and memory-impaired recollections" adduced more than a decade after the event that were erroneously preferred over "exculpatory" operational records, they argued. While acknowledging the civil standard of proof is the balance of probabilities rather than the higher criminal standard, Roberts-Smith's lawyers say the gravity of the offences required an equivalent standard of proof. "Allegations of war crimes cannot be upheld in civil proceedings unless proved to the exacting degree of cogency that (the Evidence Act) unequivocally demands," they said. The Victoria Cross recipient has not been charged with criminal wrongdoing. Roberts-Smith claims the Federal Court also made an error in assuming he had accepted some allegations which were not re-contested during the appeal. That acceptance was used to bolster the conclusions he was responsible for the murder of four civilians, his lawyers contend. The former SAS corporal is asking for the Federal Court's decision to be overturned and Nine to be ordered to pay his costs for the trial, appeal and High Court contest. The costs of the 110-day trial and the 10-day appeal are estimated to exceed $30 million. The High Court will consider the special leave application and might not announce a decision for weeks. Roberts-Smith was in 2011 awarded Australia's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, for single-handedly taking out machine-gun posts to protect pinned-down fellow soldiers in Afghanistan. Later named Australian Father of the Year, his reputation was tarnished by Nine's explosive reports in 2018 alleging he was complicit in war crimes. One of the allegations taken to be proven on the balance of probabilities was that Roberts-Smith ordered the execution of an elderly prisoner to "blood the rookie" during a raid on a compound known as Whiskey 108. "The problem for (Roberts-Smith) is that, unlike most homicides, there were three eyewitnesses to this murder," the Federal Court judges said in their appeal decision. "When all is said and done, it is a rare murder that is witnessed by three independent witnesses." Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 One of Australia's most decorated soldiers has seized a final chance to clear his name of war crime allegations by taking the fight to the nation's highest court. Ben Roberts-Smith sued Nine newspapers for defamation over reports in 2018 that claimed he was complicit in the murder of four unarmed civilians in Afghanistan. Justice Anthony Besanko in 2023 found the claims were substantially true and his findings were upheld by the Federal Court in May after the soldier launched an unsuccessful appeal. But Roberts-Smith, who maintains his innocence, lodged an application on Monday for special leave to appeal both decisions. The former soldier maintains the war crimes claims did not meet the exceptional degree of cogency required for such serious allegations. "The findings brand the applicant a serial war criminal, a criminal condemnation of the most ruinous kind, yet they were reached in civil proceedings absent the criminal trial safeguards," his lawyers wrote in the application. The findings rest on "inconsistent and memory-impaired recollections" adduced more than a decade after the event that were erroneously preferred over "exculpatory" operational records, they argued. While acknowledging the civil standard of proof is the balance of probabilities rather than the higher criminal standard, Roberts-Smith's lawyers say the gravity of the offences required an equivalent standard of proof. "Allegations of war crimes cannot be upheld in civil proceedings unless proved to the exacting degree of cogency that (the Evidence Act) unequivocally demands," they said. The Victoria Cross recipient has not been charged with criminal wrongdoing. Roberts-Smith claims the Federal Court also made an error in assuming he had accepted some allegations which were not re-contested during the appeal. That acceptance was used to bolster the conclusions he was responsible for the murder of four civilians, his lawyers contend. The former SAS corporal is asking for the Federal Court's decision to be overturned and Nine to be ordered to pay his costs for the trial, appeal and High Court contest. The costs of the 110-day trial and the 10-day appeal are estimated to exceed $30 million. The High Court will consider the special leave application and might not announce a decision for weeks. Roberts-Smith was in 2011 awarded Australia's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, for single-handedly taking out machine-gun posts to protect pinned-down fellow soldiers in Afghanistan. Later named Australian Father of the Year, his reputation was tarnished by Nine's explosive reports in 2018 alleging he was complicit in war crimes. One of the allegations taken to be proven on the balance of probabilities was that Roberts-Smith ordered the execution of an elderly prisoner to "blood the rookie" during a raid on a compound known as Whiskey 108. "The problem for (Roberts-Smith) is that, unlike most homicides, there were three eyewitnesses to this murder," the Federal Court judges said in their appeal decision. "When all is said and done, it is a rare murder that is witnessed by three independent witnesses." Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 One of Australia's most decorated soldiers has seized a final chance to clear his name of war crime allegations by taking the fight to the nation's highest court. Ben Roberts-Smith sued Nine newspapers for defamation over reports in 2018 that claimed he was complicit in the murder of four unarmed civilians in Afghanistan. Justice Anthony Besanko in 2023 found the claims were substantially true and his findings were upheld by the Federal Court in May after the soldier launched an unsuccessful appeal. But Roberts-Smith, who maintains his innocence, lodged an application on Monday for special leave to appeal both decisions. The former soldier maintains the war crimes claims did not meet the exceptional degree of cogency required for such serious allegations. "The findings brand the applicant a serial war criminal, a criminal condemnation of the most ruinous kind, yet they were reached in civil proceedings absent the criminal trial safeguards," his lawyers wrote in the application. The findings rest on "inconsistent and memory-impaired recollections" adduced more than a decade after the event that were erroneously preferred over "exculpatory" operational records, they argued. While acknowledging the civil standard of proof is the balance of probabilities rather than the higher criminal standard, Roberts-Smith's lawyers say the gravity of the offences required an equivalent standard of proof. "Allegations of war crimes cannot be upheld in civil proceedings unless proved to the exacting degree of cogency that (the Evidence Act) unequivocally demands," they said. The Victoria Cross recipient has not been charged with criminal wrongdoing. Roberts-Smith claims the Federal Court also made an error in assuming he had accepted some allegations which were not re-contested during the appeal. That acceptance was used to bolster the conclusions he was responsible for the murder of four civilians, his lawyers contend. The former SAS corporal is asking for the Federal Court's decision to be overturned and Nine to be ordered to pay his costs for the trial, appeal and High Court contest. The costs of the 110-day trial and the 10-day appeal are estimated to exceed $30 million. The High Court will consider the special leave application and might not announce a decision for weeks. Roberts-Smith was in 2011 awarded Australia's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, for single-handedly taking out machine-gun posts to protect pinned-down fellow soldiers in Afghanistan. Later named Australian Father of the Year, his reputation was tarnished by Nine's explosive reports in 2018 alleging he was complicit in war crimes. One of the allegations taken to be proven on the balance of probabilities was that Roberts-Smith ordered the execution of an elderly prisoner to "blood the rookie" during a raid on a compound known as Whiskey 108. "The problem for (Roberts-Smith) is that, unlike most homicides, there were three eyewitnesses to this murder," the Federal Court judges said in their appeal decision. "When all is said and done, it is a rare murder that is witnessed by three independent witnesses." Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Veteran takes last shot to overturn war crime findings
One of Australia's most decorated soldiers has seized a final chance to clear his name of war crime allegations by taking the fight to the nation's highest court. Ben Roberts-Smith sued Nine newspapers for defamation over reports in 2018 that claimed he was complicit in the murder of four unarmed civilians in Afghanistan. Justice Anthony Besanko in 2023 found the claims were substantially true and his findings were upheld by the Federal Court in May after the soldier launched an unsuccessful appeal. But Roberts-Smith, who maintains his innocence, lodged an application on Monday for special leave to appeal both decisions. The former soldier maintains the war crimes claims did not meet the exceptional degree of cogency required for such serious allegations. "The findings brand the applicant a serial war criminal, a criminal condemnation of the most ruinous kind, yet they were reached in civil proceedings absent the criminal trial safeguards," his lawyers wrote in the application. The findings rest on "inconsistent and memory-impaired recollections" adduced more than a decade after the event that were erroneously preferred over "exculpatory" operational records, they argued. While acknowledging the civil standard of proof is the balance of probabilities rather than the higher criminal standard, Roberts-Smith's lawyers say the gravity of the offences required an equivalent standard of proof. "Allegations of war crimes cannot be upheld in civil proceedings unless proved to the exacting degree of cogency that (the Evidence Act) unequivocally demands," they said. The Victoria Cross recipient has not been charged with criminal wrongdoing. Roberts-Smith claims the Federal Court also made an error in assuming he had accepted some allegations which were not re-contested during the appeal. That acceptance was used to bolster the conclusions he was responsible for the murder of four civilians, his lawyers contend. The former SAS corporal is asking for the Federal Court's decision to be overturned and Nine to be ordered to pay his costs for the trial, appeal and High Court contest. The costs of the 110-day trial and the 10-day appeal are estimated to exceed $30 million. The High Court will consider the special leave application and might not announce a decision for weeks. Roberts-Smith was in 2011 awarded Australia's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, for single-handedly taking out machine-gun posts to protect pinned-down fellow soldiers in Afghanistan. Later named Australian Father of the Year, his reputation was tarnished by Nine's explosive reports in 2018 alleging he was complicit in war crimes. One of the allegations taken to be proven on the balance of probabilities was that Roberts-Smith ordered the execution of an elderly prisoner to "blood the rookie" during a raid on a compound known as Whiskey 108. "The problem for (Roberts-Smith) is that, unlike most homicides, there were three eyewitnesses to this murder," the Federal Court judges said in their appeal decision. "When all is said and done, it is a rare murder that is witnessed by three independent witnesses." Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046
Otago Daily Times
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Statue to honour local war hero
An Oamaru war hero killed at the Battle of the Somme may finally take pride and place in his hometown. The New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA) plan to honour Victoria Cross recipient, Sergeant Donald Forrester Brown with a life-size bronze statue. Sgt Brown was the first VC recipient for heroism on the Western Front, and the only man from North Otago to be honoured out of 23 New Zealand VC medal winners. New Zealand Remembrance Army member Barry Gamble, who initiated the project, said the plan to build a statute of Sgt Brown was to pay tribute to a local and national hero. "It's all about recognition, honouring this man, who is a true blue Kiwi farmer, who spent most of his short life working the land and then bravely fought for his country." On the opening day of New Zealand's Somme campaign in France, on September 15, 1916, Brown charged and captured key enemy machine-gun positions, helping New Zealand forces to push through German lines. During another attack two weeks later, on the Somme front, Brown told his men to take cover and took two trenches on by himself, chasing the enemy down before he was killed by machine-gun fire at the age of 26, Mr Gamble said. The 1916 Somme offensive was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the First World War (1914-18). The posthumous VC award for gallantry was presented to his father, Robert Brown in Oamaru by the Governor-General, Lord Liverpool in 1917. Mr Gamble said the statue would provide educational, cultural and commemorative value to the Oamaru community and visitors and preserve Sgt Brown's legacy for generations to come. "All the other towns have honoured their Victoria Cross winners with statues and paintings, why not Oamaru ... it's something that we can be really proud of." A former student of Waitaki Boys' High School and a Totara farmer, Sgt Brown was born in 1890 in Dunedin and moved to Oamaru with his family in the mid 1890s, where his father set up a successful drapery business and department store which was eventually named the Polytechnic. Making early sacrifices to enlist with the army, Brown sold his farm on Waiareka Rd in Totara, and gave away his dog, and his horse "and away he went", Mr Gamble said. Your Loving Son, Don, a book of letters he wrote home to his father from the war, was published in 1998 by Sgt Brown's niece Eunice P. Brown. In April, 1916 while stationed in Egypt he wrote about the comfort of his fellow soldiers from the Otago Infantry Regiment in the 10th North Otago Company and their plan to return home. "Its just great the number of Oamaru boys one finds here, and one and all are certain, old Oamaru is quite good enough for us in future." Mr Gamble said despite a photo of Sgt Brown in the Waitaki District Council chambers and his name on the honours board at Waitaki Boys' High School he had "largely been forgotten by Oamaru". "It's quite sad because we've got a proud heritage of buildings, and we've got some of the best memorial statues in the country, like the Hall of Memories." Mr Gamble has driven many projects to honour soldiers, including helping to restore the graves of former military personnel in the Waitaki district. He is also the Oamaru RSA local support adviser. The costing for the monument would be about $160,000, he said. Bob Brown, of Rakaia, the great-nephew of the war hero, was thrilled to be involved and donated $10,000 towards the project, Mr Gamble said. "They were really, really stoked that someone was wanting to do this and they're right behind me." Former New Zealand Army artist Matt Gauldie will be commissioned to create the statue. Gauldie produced a miniature paying close attention to details, at $2000 for the purposes of fundraising. "He's very clever ... a lot of work has gone into this to make sure that he's got all the right war equipment on," Mr Gamble said. NZRA put $1500 towards the concept plan and the Waitaki District Council are in support of the project, he said. Mr Gamble said they estimated the project would take a year and a half to complete and he will be seeking donations from the public and organisations. A final site for the public statue is yet to be determined. The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the British decorations system and is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British and Commonwealth armed services.
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Statue to honour VC war hero
More than a century after his death at the Battle of the Somme, Oamaru war hero Sergeant Donald Forrester Brown VC is set to be honoured in his hometown with a life-size bronze statue. The New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA), led by local advocate Barry Gamble, has announced plans to commemorate Sgt Brown — the first New Zealander awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for bravery on the Western Front and the only VC recipient from North Otago. The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the British honours system, awarded for gallantry "in the presence of the enemy". "It's all about recognition — honouring this man who is a true blue Kiwi farmer, who spent most of his short life working the land and then bravely fought for his country," Mr Gamble said. Born in Dunedin in 1890 and raised in Oamaru, Mr Brown gave up his farm on Waiareka Rd, along with his horse and dog, to enlist in the First World War. A former student of Waitaki Boys' High School, he was serving with the 10th (North Otago) Company of the Otago Infantry Regiment when he was killed in action at the age of 26. On September 15, 1916 — the opening day of New Zealand's Somme campaign — Brown distinguished himself by capturing key enemy machine-gun positions, helping New Zealand troops break through German lines. Two weeks later, during another assault, he ordered his men to take cover while he single-handedly attacked two enemy trenches chasing the enemy down before he was fatally struck by machine-gun fire. In 1917, his Victoria Cross was presented posthumously to his father, Robert Brown, by Governor-General Lord Liverpool in Oamaru. Mr Gamble believed the statue would serve as a lasting educational and cultural tribute, preserving Mr Brown's legacy for future generations. "Other towns have honoured their Victoria Cross winners with statues and paintings — why not Oamaru? This is something we can be really proud of." Despite his name appearing on the honours board at Waitaki Boys' and a portrait in the Waitaki District Council chambers, Mr Gamble said Sgt Brown had largely faded from the town's collective memory. "It's quite sad. We've got a proud heritage of buildings and some of the best memorial statues in the country. "Yet his story is not well known." The estimated cost of the statue is $160,000. Rakaia man Bob Brown, great-nephew of Sgt Brown, has donated $10,000 towards the project. "They were really stoked that someone was wanting to do this, and they're right behind me." Mr Gamble said he will also be seeking donations from the public and organisations. Renowned New Zealand Army artist Matt Gauldie has been commissioned to create the statue. Mr Gauldie had already produced a detailed miniature maquette for $2000 to aid fundraising efforts. The NZRA contributed $1500 toward the initial concept plan, and the Waitaki District Council has expressed support. Mr Gamble, who has previously led efforts to restore the graves of former soldiers in the Waitaki district, expects the statue to take around 18 months to complete. A final location for the monument has yet to be determined. A book of letters Sgt Brown wrote to his father during the war was published in 1998 entitled Your Loving Son, Don , edited by his neice, Eunice P. Brown. In a letter from Egypt in 1916, he wrote of the camaraderie among Oamaru soldiers: "it's just great the number of Oamaru boys one finds here, and one and all are certain, old Oamaru is quite good enough for us in future".
