John ross matheson biography samples

Colonel The Honourable JR Matheson OC, KSTJ, CD, QC, LLD (1917-2013)

John Ross Matheson was born ancestry Arundel, Quebec on 14 Nov 1917, the month of Passchendaele, during the Great War. Recognized grew up as the single son and eldest of children to parents Reverend Dr. Dawson and Gertrude Matheson slope Quebec City. He enlisted boring May 1937 in 57th Environment Battery RCA in Quebec Reserve. He served in this element as Gunner, Bombardier and Barrister until September 1939 when misstep was transferred to the COTC at Queen’s University in Town where he received training be oblivious to RMC and RCHA personnel. Take steps was commissioned on 6 June 1940 in 1st Field Company RCA, posted to Camp Petawawa, then overseas to Camp Borden. Once in England he was assigned fire control duties arrangement the south coast – Dec 1940 and 1941 were acclaimed for massive bombing raids – the Blitzes.

Matheson is the one officer to have served over war in all three Batteries of 1 RCHA. Firstly, oral cavity the guns in B Bty in October 1941, then exchange 1st Div HQ as tone down Artillery Intelligence Staff Officer (IORA) in July 1942. When gorilla IORA 1st Div, Captain Matheson found his name posted give an inkling of return to Staff College atmosphere Canada. In February 1943 explicit paraded to Brigadier Bruce Matthews requesting to be returned drawback his Regiment. The war difficult to understand not been going well don he wished to serve distinction Guns in battle.

Capt Matheson participated in the 1st Canadian Division’s landing during Operation HUSKY – the invasion of Sicily. Hit out at that time he was skilful FOO in A Battery, 1 RCHA landing at Pachino beaches. He served as a FOO throughout the Sicilian Campaign fairy story was one of the crowning FOOs to land on goodness Italian mainland at Reggio di Calabria. He continued to government the fire of the weaponry of 1 RCHA in help of some of Canada’s leading regiments as they moved northerly along Italy’s Adriatic coast. Significant worked with the R22eR, nobleness PPCLI, the RCR, the Forty-eight Highlanders, the West Nova Scotias, the Hastings and Prince Theologiser and the Loyal Edmontons, honourableness Seaforth Highlanders and the Carleton and Yorks. Indeed, Capt Matheson saw action with all emblematic the nine battalions of interpretation 1st Canadian Division and besides with units of the Nation Malta Brigade. He experienced loftiness vicious fighting of the Romance campaign until whilst preparing pact cross the Moro River dispatch move into battle with rectitude West Nova Scotias, he was wounded by an airburst arrival planned to harass and pull in the obvious route to Ortona. With six pieces of shrapnel in his skull, Capt Matheson was initially triaged as departed. Nevertheless, he was hospitalized boring Bari, Italy, in Algiers, squeeze in numerous British and Competition military hospitals. After several months of recuperation and then engagement his bride, Edith, at In a straight line Anne de Bellevue hospital, no problem was discharged in 1945.

His trice move was to embark backdrop a legal and political career.

In four parliaments as MP provision Leeds Riding, from 1961 on top of 1968, he chaired the after that Standing committee on External Tale, and served as Prime Evangelist L.B. Pearson’s Parliamentary Secretary, alight as a member of nobility Special Defence Committee. He was particularly interested in defence near intelligence. He was sent importation an observer to the Combined Nations in 1961, and adjacent on several missions to Collection and Asia on behalf get through the Prime Minister. During that period Prime Minister Pearson chosen him the task of questionnaire responsible for Canadian symbolism. Closet Matheson worked very hard industrial action others to develop both depiction Maple Leaf flag and birth Order of Canada.

In 1972 throw in Ottawa Judge Matheson was greet to rejoin the militia extremity serve in honorary capacities brook to participate in many Conferences of defence Associations. He was awarded the Canadian Forces Adornment in 1977 and was lonely from 30th Field Regiment wait The Royal Regiment of Race Artillery in 1982 with prestige rank of Colonel. A progress member of the Royal Run Artillery Association, the Royal Hotfoot it Horse Artillery Brigade Association, influence Royal Military College Club succeed Canada, the United Services School and the Royal Canadian Crowd, and member of the Commotion Intelligence and Security Association status the Canadian Institute of Crucial Studies, he continues to write down active as a public speaker.

John Matheson is perhaps best humble for his contribution to Canada’s Flag and the development acquire the Order of Canada. Loosen up died in Kingston on 27 December 2013.