A commemorative paving slab dedicated to a Watford war hero will be unveiled in the town centre next week - on the 100th anniversary of him receiving the Victoria Cross.

Major General George Pearkes was born in 1888, living over the draper’s shop run by his family in the centre of Watford.

After emigrating to Canada, where he joined the Royal Mounted Police, Major General Pearkes enlisted as a private in the Canadian Mounted Rifles in 1915.

He came to Europe to fight in the First World War and by 1917 he was leading a Canadian unit in the Battle of Passchendaele.

It was here that he was awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest service award for gallantry, for leading attacks on the German lines on October 30 and 31, 1917.

He won plaudits for his conspicuous bravery and skilful handling of the troops under his command, despite having been wounded.

Watford Observer:

After the war, Major General Pearkes returned to Canada where he continued his military career. 

Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, he returned to Europe as a Brigadier in command of a Canadian Infantry Brigade. Returning to Canada in 1942, he was made responsible for Canada’s west coast defences.

He retired from the army in 1945 and went into federal politics, serving in the Canadian federal parliament from 1945 to 1960 representing constituencies in British Colombia. 

In 1958, while serving as Minister of National Defence in the federal government, he visited Watford and attended a civic lunch at the town hall held in his honour.

While here, he presented the town with a soapstone carving of an Inuit and a polar bear, which now takes pride of place in Watford Museum.

Major General Pearkes was made Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia in 1960, a position he held until 1968. 

He died in 1984, aged 96, in Victoria, British Colombia, and was buried there with full military honours.

Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill, along with council vice-chairman Rabi Martins, will unveil the paving slab outside Major General Pearkes’ birthplace at 127 High Street at 2pm on Monday.

Watford Observer:

Mayor Thornhill said: “We are very proud of Major General Pearkes’ bravery in battle and important role in public life before and after the war.

“It is with great reverence that I will unveil his paving slab on Monday. Major General Pearkes will always hold a special place in our hearts as a Watford born and bred war hero who achieved a lot during his long life.”