Harry Crerar
Crerar, Henry Duncan Graham
Henry Duncan Graham Crerar, army officer (b at Hamilton, Ont 28 Apr 1888; d at Ottawa 1 Apr 1965). A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, he was commissioned into the artillery in 1910 and was counter battery staff officer of the Canadian Corps at the end of WWI. Between the wars he held various staff appointments and attended the British Staff College and the Imperial Defence College. He became chief of the general staff in 1940 and must bear much of the responsibility for the dispatch of Canadian troops to HONG KONG in November 1941.
A month later Crerar was appointed to command of I Canadian Corps in the UK; he took that formation to Italy in November 1943. He was brought back to England to lead the First Canadian Army in the invasion of France. Promoted full general on 21 November 1944, he commanded the field army throughout the northwest Europe campaign. He retired in October 1946. Although Crerar was an excellent staff officer, he was a mediocre commander, and Field Marshal Montgomery, under whose command First Canadian Army served, had little confidence in him.
Henry Duncan Graham Crerar, army officer
Crerar was appointed to command of I Canadian Corps in the UK; he took that formation to Italy in November 1943 (courtesy DND/Library and Archives Canada/PA-166584).
Montgomery and Crerar
Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery and commander of the First Canadian Army General Henry Crerar, Netherlands, 1945 (photo by Bell, courtesy DND/PA-140409).
Author BRERETON GREENHOUS
Links to Other Sites
Historica-Dominion Institute
The website for the Historica-Dominion Institute, parent organization of The Canadian Encyclopedia and the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Check out their extensive online feature about the War of 1812, the "Heritage Minutes" video collection, and many other interactive resources concerning Canadian history, culture, and heritage.
Canadian Military History Gateway
Search this website for authoritative information about Canadian military history. Provides links to websites for Canadian museums, libraries, archives, and other heritage organizations. Also features an online glossary of military terminology, educational resources and much more. From the Department of National Defence.
Canadian Forces: Glossary
A glossary of military terminology used in the Canadian Forces. From the forces.ca website.
The Last Canadian Battle and the Surrender of the German Army
Read an enlightening lecture given by Lieut.-General Charles Foulkes about the final months of Canadian military action in Europe during the Second World War. From the Empire Club website.
The Memory Project: Hong Kong
Listen to an interview with Canadian veteran Bob "Flash" Clayton about Canadian troops who who fought against the Japanese forces that attacked Hong Kong in the Second World War. See also related digitized artefacts and memorabilia. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.
The Memory Project: First Canadian Army
Listen to an interview with a Canadian veteran about his military service during the Second World War. Includes references to General Crerar and the First Canadian Army. Also check out related digitized artefacts and memorabilia. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.
The Dominion government's advertisement asked for volunteers "able to read and write either the English or French language" with "good antecedents" who were good horsemen...
INSIDE TCE
