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VICTORIA CROSS ON DISPLAY AT THE SASKATCHEWAN ARCHIVES
11/1/2004
VICTORIA CROSS ON DISPLAY AT THE SASKATCHEWAN ARCHIVES
The Saskatchewan Archives is pleased to announce a special Remembrance Day display dedicated to those who responded to their country's need at a time of war. The display will feature a tribute to Lieut. Robert Grierson Combe who was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously in 1917. The showpiece of the display will be the original Victoria Cross that was donated to the Archives in 1963 by Lieut. Combe's widow, Mrs. Jean Combe.
Although as many as fifteen men awarded the Victoria Cross had ties to this province, Lieut. Combe was only one of four Saskatchewan residents to win the medal during World Wars I and II. He died in battle on May 3, 1917 in Acheville, France. The official account describes the action for which the medal was presented and which took his life:
He steadied his company under intense fire, and led them through enemy barrage, reaching the objective with only five men. With great coolness and courage Lieut. Combe proceeded to bomb the enemy, and inflicted heavy casualties. He collected small groups of men and succeeded in capturing the Company objective, together with eighty prisoners. He repeatedly charged the enemy, driving them before him and, while personally leading his bombers, was killed by an enemy sniper. His conduct inspired all ranks, and it was entirely due to his magnificent courage that the position was carried, secured and held.
The Victoria Cross is the highest recognition of military valour in the British Commonwealth. The decoration was founded in 1856 by Queen Victoria, who was inspired by the bravery of returning veterans of the Crimean War. It is made of bronze from Russian Guns captured at the battle of Balaclava in 1854.
Lieut. Combe s award is the only publicly held Victoria Cross in this province. This is a rare opportunity for Saskatchewan residents to view an original Victoria Cross. The only two other locations in Canada where the award is on public display are Ottawa and Calgary.
The Victoria Cross Display will be open to the public at the Regina location, from November 3 to December 3, 2004, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Closed weekends and holidays). Admission is free.
The Regina Office of the Saskatchewan Archives is located at 3303 Hillsdale Street.
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