Lieutenant-Colonel J.J. Chouinard
Voltigeurs de Québec
Régiment de la Chaudière

A very good little chap who commands his Bn. in his own queer way … Training ability and knowledge—practically nil. Goal teachable. If now given firm guidance, and kept on the nails, will produce a good show. But will have to be supervised carefully.

(Gen. Montgomery, “Notes on Inf. Bdes of Canadian Corps,” 29 Jan 1942)

Born in Quebec City on 19 March 1894, Joseph Julien Chouinard worked in insurance and was a veteran of the Siberian Expeditionary Force. In 1940, he became commanding officer of les Voltigeurs de Québec, which served home defence. In January 1941, General Thomas Tremblay described Chouinard as “an intelligent Officer, full of initiative. He has done very well since assuming command a few months ago. He has the qualities to make a good O.C. but requires a lot of military training before being classed as competent for Active Service.” Despite lack of training and experience, he was nonetheless appointed commanding officer of Régiment de la Chaudière the next month.

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