Lieutenant-Colonel H.W. Rick
21st Armoured Regiment (The Governor General’s Foot Guards)

I know I have a tough job ahead of me, but if I receive the same measure of co-operation and loyal support in my new task as I have received here I shall be happy. History is now in the making. I shall do my best to contribute to it.

(Montreal Star, 2 Jan 1942, 2)

Born on 25 February 1897 in Montreal, Howard Wilfred Rick attended McGill University, where he joined the Canadian Officer Training Corps. He enlisted with the 148th Battalion in January 1916 and granted a commission the next year when he was seconded the Royal Flying Corps. After the First World War, he joined the Canadian Grenadier Guards and became second-in-command following mobilization in 1940. A broken back from a training accident forced him to relinquish this post but after a long recovery returned to duty as staff officer with Military District No. 4.

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