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Authority record
8th Hussars Museum Person

Robinson, Gordon Allen

  • Person
  • 1923-1944

Gordon Allen Robinson was born 06 September, 1923 in Toronto, Ontario. He enlisted on 18 March, 1943, and served with the 8th New Brunswick Hussars in the Italian campaign. He was wounded on 06 October, 1944, while camouflaging his tank. He subsequently died of his injuries a day later.

Robinson, George William

  • Person
  • 1942-1944

George William Robinson Died 1971. George Robinson commanded the 8th Princess Louise New Brunswick Hussars in Italy during World War 2 from 1942-1944. On Dec. 3rd 1944 Lt Col Robinson received word that he had been promoted to Brigadier and posted to Holland to command the 2nd Armoured Brigade. Decorations of War Distinguished Order: Brig. Robinson was awarded the Croix de guerre avec Palme while commanding the 8th Hussars for his support of the Free French while serving in the Italian Campaign. He was awarded a mention in the dispatches for his leadership and inspiration to those under his command. At peacetime Robinson lived in London, Ontario and civilian life included the insurance Business. He was also attached to the Militia 1st Hussars. Robinson was very popular and a deeply respected Commanding Officer.

Robertson, Samuel Douglas

  • Person
  • 1922-1944

Corporal Samuel Robertson was the son of John D and Violet Robertson. He lived in The Pas Manitoba Canada prior to joining the Regiment. He dies May 25th 1944 at the age of 22. Corporal Samuel Robertson is bured in the Cassino War Cemetery. Italy, Section IV,Row H, Grave Stone 7.

Riley, Hugh Geoffery

  • Person
  • 1940 - 2017

Hugh Geoffery Riley, regimental number G250, joined the 4 Canadian Motorcycle Regiment, 8th Princess Louise (NB) Hussars in the August of 1940. Hugh enlisted in Sussex, New Brunswick, the same day as his brother Jack,
regimental number G251. Other family members would also join the war effort, with brother Pat joining the artillery, sister Lilla to the RCAF, and brother Stan to the army. Prior to signing up, Riley worked in the woods, sailed wooden ships in the South Seas for a time, and also trained in Camp Sussex for two summers with the militia.

After his enlistment, Riley trained with the 8th Hussars in Camp Sussex, Camp Borden, and Camp Petawawa, before going on to continue his training with the regiment in Great Britain.

During the Second World War, Corporal Riley served as the 8th Hussars Regimental Signals Section.

Hugh's duties in Signals and Military Intelligence took him all over the Italian Peninsula, and much of his work involved traversing the mountainous Italian terrain in a scout-car to observe enemy action and gather information.

During his time in Italy, Hugh recalls two days spent hiding in a wine casket when German soldiers overran their position. Riley also recalls working with Col. Robinson to design the 8th Hussars shoulder flash and also worked with the Regimental Adjutant in writing large sections of the 8th Hussars War Diary.

During the Regiment's time in Great Britain, Riley recalls meeting with Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and dancing with famed-singer Vera Lynn. This is the same time the Union Jack was supposedly obtained that Frank Gaunce spoke about being borrowed from 10 Downing St in London while they were driving Winston Churchill around in the Canadian Tanks.

Corporal Riley returned home in February 1946 and was discharged on 8 March 1946. Upon his return to Canada, Hugh was asked to stay on with the Army as he spoke five languages including Russian, but Hugh was keen to get on with family life and leave the army behind.

For his dedicated service, Hugh received the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star , the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with pin and clasp.

Hugh Riley currently lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick and just celebrated his 102nd birthday.

Hugh's lifetime of accomplishments truly illustrate his extraordinary character.

Reid, Sergeant D.

  • Person
  • 1939-1945

Sergeant D. E, Reid, regimental number G45, was a member of the 5th Armoured Regiment, 8th New Brunswick Hussars. He trained in Camp Borden in 1941, taking part in a NCO refresher course when he was a Corporal. He went on to serve with the Regiment during World War II, including Italy.

Regimental Colours

  • Person
  • 23 June 1966

Regimental Colours have a long and colourful history that can be traced back as far as the 15th century. It was a natural development that Commanders at all levels should display their personal insignia on banners to act as a rallying point on the battlefield. Regimental Colours include " Standards, Queen's and Regimental Colours and Guidons". They have been traditionally recognized as a unit's most prized possession. Standards are carried by Regiments of Household Cavalry and Regiments of Dragoon Guards. They are rectangular in shape and are recognized as senior colour. Queen's and Regimental Colours are second in seniority. They are awarded to Infantry Regiments and Foot guards. They are rectangular in shape and are carried by a subaltern officer. Guidons - the word guidon derives from the old French "guide-homme" - the flag carried by the leader of a troop of horsemen. It has always been shallow-tailed and is regarded as junior to the Standards. Guidons are carried by Dragoons, Yeomanry Cavalry Regiments and Armoured Regiments. They first appeared in the British Army as early as 1661. The first Guidon of the Royal Canadian Dragoons was presented by His Royal Highness King George V on October 11, 1901. The second Guidon was presented by His Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught in March 1919. The third and present Guidon was presented by the Governor General in May 1964 at CFB Gagetown.

Radley-Walters, Sydney Valpy

  • Person
  • 1920-1980

Sydney Valpy Radley-Walters CMM, DSO, MC, CD, (nicknamed "Rad") (born January 11, 1920) was a tank commander in the Canadian Army.

Radley-Walters was born in 1920 and graduated from Bishop's College in 1940. He was commissioned in the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment in October of that year. The regiment was predesignated 27th Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment) in January 1942 and embarked for England in October 1942.

The regiment was part of the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade supporting the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landing in Normandy on D-Day 6 June 1944. Captain Radley-Walters commanded a tank during the Battle of Normandy. On D-Day + 1, 7 June 1944, in fighting near Saint-German-la-Blanche-Herbe, with the 12th SS Panzer Division, Radley-Walters had his first kill, a Panzer IV. Major Radley-Walters commanded a tank squadron in the regiment. His unit was credited with killing the tanker ace "The Black Baron" Michael Wittmann of the 101. Schwere SS-Panzerabteilung, though which tank in the squadron had the actual kill is unknown. This claim has been disputed by 3 Troop, A Squadron, 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry tank regiment gunner Joe Ekins, who also claims to have killed the Panzer ace. Radley-Walters was awarded both the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross and for his outstanding leadership and gallantry as a squadron commander.

His regiment participated in Operation Market-Garden and broke through and relieved the 101st Airborne Division.

By the end of the war, he was the top tank ace, the ace of aces of the western Allies (and therefore, of Canada), with a total of 18 kills. From July 1945, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and commanded the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment as part of the Allied Occupation Force.

After the war, Radley-Walters served on peacekeeping missions in Cyprus and Egypt.

In 1957, he became the Commanding Officer of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's). He attended NATO Defence College in Paris and was assigned to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe from June 1961 to July 1962. He returned to Canada as commandant of the Royal Canadian Armoured School in Camp Borden. In 1966, he became the Director-General Training and Recruiting at Canadian Forces Headquarters in Ottawa.

In June 1968 he was promoted to brigadier-general and took command of 2 Combat Group at CFB Petawawa. In 1971 he became the commander of the Combat Training Centre at CFB Gagetown.

Radley-Walters retired in December 1974. He served eight years as colonel of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's) and in November 1980 became colonel-commandant of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

Pritchard, Harold Victor

  • Person
  • 1935-1942

Harold Victor Pritchard attended the University of Toronto, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology (1935). He went to complete his Master's of Zoology at the University of Western Ontario, London Ontario. He graduated in 1937. He joined the Governor General's Foot Guard (Active Militia). He was a Lieutenant.

Price, Frank

  • Person
  • 1939-1945

Lieut. IF Price (Irwin) was a member of the 115th Battalion. Frank Price was with the rangers in World War 2 ..he had been wounded

Pearson, Vernon

  • Person
  • 1939-1946

Vernon Pearson was a Corporal.

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