Lieutenant-Colonel V.W. Hugman
7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th Hussars)

 The Col., an old 17th man, took over control of the unit over two years ago, in this country. He was always regarded as a keen strategist, and highly esteemed by men of the regiment. Security forbids the mention of his new post, but, as he said when he left, “No matter where I am I will always think of the Regiment–I could always count on it in any emergency—a great unit to command.”

(“C” Squadron Freebooter, 25 Mar 1944)

Born in Quebec on 7 January 1907, Victor Wellesley Hugman was a tennis player, horseman, and graduate of McGill University. He had joined the 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars in 1926 and rose to the rank of major. With the promotions of Lieutenant-Colonel C.B. Price and Major C.F. Smith in late 1939, Hugman was named second-in-command. Although the Hussars mobilized in May 1940, Hugman was assigned to staff duties with the 5th Infantry Brigade and later the Canadian Armoured Corps.

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