Régiment de Hull

Lt-Col. L.J. St. Laurent

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Lieutenant-Colonel L.J. St. Laurent
Régiment de Hull

We are endeavouring to “sell Canada,” to instill and awaken patriotism and a sense of duty to our native land … We haven’t even a national flag to wave proudly in front of the men. The cowardly sins of omission are bearing fruit. We have not developed a true and strong sense of nationhood. Physically we are a mighty nation, nationally we are children.

(St. Laurent to Brig. Macklin, May 1944)

Born in Ottawa on 25 July 1903, Lucien Joseph St. Laurent was a graduate of the University of Ottawa and worked as a clerk for the city’s electric company. Commissioned with le Régiment de Hull in 1926, he was promoted to captain in 1933 and served as battalion adjutant. He went overseas as a staff officer with 1st Division headquarters in December 1939. He returned home two years later at the rank of major.

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Lt-Col. M.C. Grison

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Lieutenant-Colonel M.C. Grison
Régiment de Hull

It is important that Canadians should have an appreciation of the physical magnitude of their country, It is more important, too, if we are to overcome tendencies to sectionalism, that Canadians as individuals and groups should get to know and understand one another.

(Victoria Daily Times, 7 Apr 1943)

Born in Ottawa on 11 September 1899, Marcel Charles Grison was a graduate of the University of Ottawa and owner of a moving and storage company. Commissioned with le Régiment de Hull since 1923, he had been appointed commanding officer in July 1939. The battalion mobilized in 1941 but was assigned to home defence duty.

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Lt-Col. D. Ménard

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Lieutenant-Colonel Dollard Ménard
Fusiliers Mont-Royal
Régiment de Hull
13th Infantry Brigade
Menard

We couldn’t walk back, we couldn’t get forward, we couldn’t go in the sides, so were dead, really. We were condemned … In war there are no winners. Wars have produced nothing but misery. I hate war.

(Ménard quoted In Montreal Gazette, 3 Nov 1979, 4)

Born on 7 March 1913 in Quebec, Dollard Ménard graduated from RMC in 1932 and took a commissioned in the Royal 22nd Regiment. On exchange with the British Army during the Waziristan campaign in 1939, he returned to Canada for the formation of the 2nd Division. While attached to 8th Brigade headquarters overseas, he replaced Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Grenier of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal in April 1942. On taking over, Ménard worked to improve unit discipline and training which had suffered under his predecessor. Four months, he led the battalion into action during the Dieppe Raid on 19 August 1942.

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