Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Eaton
5th Armoured Regiment (8th Princess Louise’s Hussars)

During the last 8 months I have had the privilege and high honour of commanding this regiment. Never in my 5 years in the army have I enjoyed myself so much. In the battles we have been in, never once was the result in doubt.

(Eaton farewell address, war diary, Aug 1945)

Born in Toronto on 4 September 1912, John Wallace Eaton was a member of the prominent department store family. A graduate of RMC and member of the militia since 1931, he joined the Governor General’s Horse Guards in 1940. His twin sister Colonel Margaret Eaton later served as director general of the Canadian Army Women’s Corps and his younger brother Captain Erskine Robert Eaton was killed in the Dieppe Raid.

After attending staff college in Canada, Eaton went overseas again in fall 1943. He joined the 5th Armoured Brigade in the Italian theatre as brigade major. He earned the Distinguished Service Order in the brigade’s first action against the Hitler Line in May 1944: “Lt-Col Eaton’s ability to bring out the best of his subordinates, his hard work, devotion to duty and cheerfulness have been an inspirating example to his associates and a valuable factor in the operational successes of the Corps.”

When Lieutenant-Colonel G.W. Robinson was promoted to the 2nd Armoured Brigade in December 1944, Eaton replaced him in command of the New Brunswick Hussars. He led the regiment over the next eight months through its final battles in Northwest Europe. In August 1945, he suddenly received a new appointment and needed to leave before saying goodbye. In his final message he wrote: “There has been built up a wonderful spirit of teamwork in the regiment which will live with me for a life time.”

During the 1950s and 60s, Eaton operated his family’s Montreal store, earning a reputation as a salesman and promoter. After forty-three years with T. Eaton Company, he retired as executive vice president in 1977.

Widely known for his business skills and philanthropic work, Eaton died in Toronto on 21 October 1990.