Canadian War Museum acquires Victoria Cross Medal Set belonging to Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan of The Fort Garry Horse

November 20, 2017

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

Ottawa, Ontario, November 20, 2017 — The Canadian War Museum is honoured to announce its recent acquisition of the Victoria Cross Medal Set belonging to Lieutenant-Colonel Harcus Strachan of The Fort Garry Horse. Earned for courage on the Western Front, the set includes Strachan’s service medals from both World Wars, photographs and documents.

Strachan earned the Victoria Cross on November 20, 1917, at Masinières, France. After his squadron leader was killed during a cavalry charge, Strachan led the men through machine-gun fire to take the enemy battery. Strachan and his men returned safely, bringing 15 prisoners with them.

“It is always humbling when we are entrusted with the medals of Canada’s military heroes,” said Mark O’Neill, President and CEO of the Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of History. “The Strachan Victoria Cross Medal Set is a particularly important acquisition, earned as it was 100 years ago.”

The acquisition of the Strachan Victoria Medal Set was made possible through the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Movable Cultural Property Program, the Museum’s National Collection Fund, and the generous support of two private donors — Honorary Colonel (retired) Brian Hastings and Honorary Colonel Robert Williams, both of The Fort Garry Horse.

“Medals such as this allow us to share the extraordinary exploits of Canadians in a highly personal way,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “We are very pleased that the Strachan Victoria Cross Medal Set has been acquired by the War Museum, making it accessible to Canadians for generations to come.”

The Victoria Cross was presented to Strachan by King George V at Buckingham Palace on January 16, 1918. Strachan served in the home army during the Second World War and died in May 1982 at the age of 97, making him the longest-lived recipient of the award. The Strachan Victoria Cross Medal Set is the 36th Victoria Cross Medal Set to be acquired by the Canadian War Museum.

The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada’s military history in its personal, national, and international dimensions. Work of the Canadian War Museum is made possible in part through financial support of the Government of Canada.

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Media contacts:
Yasmine Mingay
Director, Public Affairs
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: 819-776-8608
Email: yasmine.mingay@warmuseum.ca

Avra Gibbs Lamey
Senior Communications and Media Relations Officer, Canadian War Museum
Telephone: 819-776-8607
Email: avra.gibbs-lamey@warmuseum.ca