painting, 16th Canadian Scottish
Report a Mistake- Object Number 19800047-001
- Event 1914-1919 First World War
- Affiliation --
- Artist / Maker / Manufacturer Anonymous
- Date Made 1914-1920
- Place of Use Continent - North America, Country - Canada
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Art
- Department Art and Memorials
- Museum CWM
- Earliest 1914/01/01
- Latest 1920/12/31
- Medium oil
- Support canvasstretcher
- Materials Not applicable
- Service Component Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Unit 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion
- Measurements Height 33.3 cm, Width 23.3 cm
- Caption Cyrus Wesley PECK, VC, DSO*
- Additional Information Peck won the Victoria Cross on 2 September 1918 at Villers-lez-Cagnicourt, France. His citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and skilful leading when in attack under intense fire. His command quickly captured the first objective, but progress to the further objective was held up by enemy machine-gun fire on his right flank. The situation being critical in the extreme, Colonel Peck pushed forward and made a personal reconnaissance under heavy machine-gun and sniping fire, across a stretch of ground which was heavily swept by fire. Having reconnoitred the position, he returned, reorganized his battalion, and, acting on the knowledge personally gained, pushed them forward and arranged to protect his flanks. He then went out under the most intense artillery and machine-gun fire, intercepted the Tanks, gave them the necessary directions, pointing out where they were to make for, and thus paved the way for a Canadian Infantry Battalion to push forward. To this battalion he subsequently gave requisite support. His magnificent display of courage and fine qualities of leadership enabled the advance to be continued, although always under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire and contributed largely to the success of the bridge attack."