1st Hussars

Lt-Col. W.D. Brooks

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Lieutenant-Colonel W.D. Brooks
6th Armoured (1st Hussars) Regiment

Major Brooks displayed outstanding leadership and inspiration to his squadron and is responsible for having placed a large proportion of his special assault tanks on the beach despite all hazards of weather, beach obstacles and enemy action. He immediately attacked the beach defences with great courage and skill which made it possible for the assault infantry to land on the beach and go forward to gain their objectives.

(D.S.O. citation, 31 Aug 1944)

Born on 2 June 1908 in Brantford, Ontario, William Dudley Brooks commanded “A” squadron of the 1st Hussars on D-Day. Launching experimental DD or Duplex Drive tanks proved a serious challenge for the squadron under difficult weather conditions and rough seas. Despite a late landing and several sunk tanks, Brooks directed seven DD tanks in support of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, earning a D.S.O.: “The action and leadership of this officer largely influenced the success of the assault landing and the gaining of the beach head.”

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Lt-Col. F.E. White

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Lieutenant-Colonel Frank White
6th Armoured (1st Hussars) Regiment
White

When he landed on the beach on D-day between Courseulles-sur-Mer and Bernières-sur-Mer no exits had been completed and the beach was under heavy enemy mortar and machine gun fire and traffic was piling up. He got out of his tank and walked calmly up and down the beach endeavouring to find an exit. His example of complete coolness at that critical time was an inspiration to the officers and men of the regiment. His actions since D-day have continued to be outstanding to the highest degree.

(D.S.O. citation, 19 Apr 1945)

Born on 24 May 1909 in St-Faustin, Quebec, Franklyn Everhart White was the son of General John Burton White, head of the Canadian Forestry Corps. In the last war the elder White had commanded the 242nd Battalion and then served as Director of Timber Operations in the Canadian Forestry Corps. Following his father’s military service, Frank White graduated from RMC and joined the Permanent Force, taking a commission with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse in Winnipeg.

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Lt-Col. R.J. Colwell

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Lieutenant-Colonel Ray Colwell
Halifax Rifles
6th Armoured (1st Hussars) Regiment
Colwell

During this action Lt-Col Colwell organized and fought his Regiment with great determination and courage. His own tank was shot from under him, so he continued to direct from on foot … By his courage and determination he set an excellent example to all rank and fostered the fighting spirit of his Regiment.

(D.S.O. citation, 12 Jul 1944)

Born on 11 August 1899 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ray John Colwell was a businessman, retail clothier, and a former rugby and hockey player. He had joined the Halifax Rifles in 1917 and during the final stage of the First World War went to France just after the armistice as a lieutenant in the Canadian Machine Gun Corps. As commanding officer of the Halifax Rifles in September 1939, Colwell organized the mobilization of the regiment, and remained in command almost the next four years.

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Lt-Col. R.H.F. Back

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Lieutenant-Colonel R.H.F. Back
6th Armoured (1st Hussars) Regiment
Back

We’re playing for keeps and we have to be a crack outfit. We know what those German panzers can do and we’ve been training ourselves accordingly. I’ve been to England. I’ve seen the Canadian troops in England and I would say this armored division won’t take second place to any of them.

(Ottawa Citizen, 24 Nov 1941, 24)

Born in London, Ontario on 27 May 1905, Ronald Henry Franklin Back was commissioned in the 1st Hussars in 1927 and promoted to major in 1938. After a six month attachment to the British Armoured Corps for training, he returned to Canada in March 1941. The next month he assumed command of the 6th Armoured Regiment, which had been redesignated from the 1st Hussars. He replaced Lieutenant-Colonel A.C. Spender on his promotion to command the 2nd Army Tank Brigade.

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Brig. A.C. Spencer

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Brigadier A.C. Spencer
1st Canadian Cavalry (1st Hussars) Regiment
2nd Army Tank Brigade
Spencer

This officer has made a noteworthy contribution in the development and administration of this large camp and particularly in training of Armoured Corps personnel. His services in all regards have been outstanding and he is worthy of high recognition.

(C.M.E. citation, 10 Jun 1944)

Born in London, Ontario on 19 November 1887, Alexander Charles Spencer was a mechanical engineer who had been commissioned in the 1st Hussars in 1911. In the Frist World War, he enlisted with the 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles as a lieutenant in March 1915 and served in the field with the Canadian Light Horse as paymaster and quartermaster. After the war he became a lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian Engineers and retired to the reserve list in 1937.

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