Okill Massey Learmonth, VC, MC (20 February 1894 – 19 August 1917), was a Canadian soldier. Learmonth was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to

Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...

forces. Learmonth served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I, and was awarded his medal posthumously for actions at the

Battle of Hill 70 The Battle of Hill 70 took place in the First World War between the Canadian Corps and five divisions of the German 6th Army. The battle took place along the Western Front on the outskirts of Lens in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France b ...

Details

Learmonth was 23 years old, and an acting

Major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

in the 2nd (Eastern Ontario) Battalion,

Canadian Expeditionary Force The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed following Britain’s declaration of war on Germany on 15 August 1914, with an initial strength of one infantry division ...

, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 18 August 1917 east of Loos, France, during a determined counter-attack on our new positions, Major Learmonth, when his company was momentarily surprised, instantly charged and personally disposed of the attackers. Later, although under intense barrage fire and mortally wounded, he stood on the parapet of the trench, bombing the enemy and on several occasions he actually caught bombs thrown at him and threw them back. When unable to carry on the fight, he still refused to be evacuated and continued giving instructions and invaluable advice, finally handing over all his duties before he was moved to hospital where he died.

Further information

Born in Quebec City, Canada, he was elected a member of the

Literary and Historical Society of Quebec The Literary and Historical Society of Quebec (LHSQ) was the first historical society, and one of the first learned societies, in Canada. It was founded in 1824 by George Ramsay, Earl of Dalhousie, governor of British North America. Its headquar ...

in March 1914. He is buried at Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France, 2 miles northwest of Lens (plot 11, row K, grave 9). Learmonth Street in Quebec City, Canada is named after him. Major Learmonth's VC is apparently held by the

Governor General's Foot Guards The Governor General's Foot Guards (GGFG) is the senior reserve infantry regiment in the Canadian Army. Located in Ottawa at the Cartier Square Drill Hall, the regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry unit, and the members are part-time soldiers. ...

' museum on Queen Elizabeth Drive in Ottawa, Ontario.

References

External links

Okill Massey Learmonth's digitized service file

Biography at the ''Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online''
* Biography o
Okill Massey Learmonth
on DND's Directorate of History and Heritage
Okill Massey Learmonth
biography on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial *
Legion Magazine article on Okill Learmonth
{{DEFAULTSORT:Learmonth, Okill Massey Canadian recipients of the Military Cross Canadian World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross 1894 births 1917 deaths Canadian Expeditionary Force officers Canadian military personnel from Quebec People from Quebec City Canadian military personnel killed in World War I Governor General's Foot Guards