Lieutenant-Colonel J.H. Larocque
9th Armoured Regiment (British Columbia Dragoons)

He is conscientious and hard working but seems to lack zest in life and thinks slowly. He does not express himself … His views are usually sound when he has time to think them over and his written work is fair. He is easy to get on with and could fill a grade 2 appointment at Corps or higher level.

(Junior War Staff College report, 29 Nov 1944)

Born on 4 May 1909 in Montreal, John Howard Larocque graduated from RMC in 1931 and immediately joined the Royal Canadian Dragoons as a lieutenant. In 1936, he was one of the first officers attached to the Canadian Tank School and subsequently took courses with the Royal Tank Corps in the United Kingdom. In 1938, now a captain, he became gunnery instructor at the Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicles School. He transferred to National Defence headquarters for special employment and general staff officer duties before returning to the RCD as a major in June 1941.

From gentleman cadet of the Royal Military College, Kingston to officer commanding one of the most famous units in the Canadian Army in ten years, is the proud record of Lt.-Col. J. Howard Larocque.

(Montreal Star, 27 Nov 1941, 40)

He briefly commanded the Dragoons in July 1941. He was then appointed commanding officer of the 9th Armoured Regiment, replacing Lieutenant-Colonel G.C. Oswell. He took over in September 1941 just before the unit departed for England.

After six months overseas, he was suddenly relieved from command and demoted to major. On 4 May 1942, the war diary recorded that the brigadier announced: “owing to circumstances beyond anyone’s control Lt-col. Larocque was leaving the Regiment. The news came as a surprise to all of us and it is with genuine regret that we shall see him go; there is not one of us who does not account it a privilege to have served under him.”

A confidential report, by contrast, had stated: “he lacks conviction in whatever he does and does not inspire confidence in those with whom he is associated. In short, he needs to develop more confidence in himself before commanding an Armed Regt in the field.”

Major W.C. Murphy, a Vancouver lawyer with the PPCLI, arrived the next morning to take command of the British Columbia Dragoons. Larocque was posted to instruction duties before being given a second chance in command of “B” squadron, 28th Armoured Regiment in October 1943. This tenure would be also brief as he was assigned to general staff officer duties with the Canadian Armoured Corps. In January 1945, after reviewing his file, the Officer Survey and Classification Board recommended:

Maj. Larocque, from reports, seems to lack the drive and initiative essential for comd. Seems to lack fire but undoubtedly is conscientious and responsible and is fairly alert … It is felt that this Offr should have the opportunity of proceedings to a theatre of ops in accordance with his wishes and the Board recommend that he be sent to a battle area.

Postwar Larocque served as second-in-command of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse, including a brief tenure as commanding officer in summer 1951. In March 1952, he went to Berlin as part of the Canadian Military Mission. After retiring from the army, he was village councilman in Sidney, British Columbia until 1965

He died on 29 June 1980 in Victoria, British Columbia.