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Henry CrerarCanadian general and leading leader of the Canadian Armed Forces in World War II.
Date of Birth: 28.04.1888
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Henry Duncan Graham Crerar
- World War I and Interwar Years
- World War II
- Liberation of Northwest Europe
- Post-War Career
- Legacy
Henry Duncan Graham Crerar
Early Life and CareerHenry Duncan Graham Crerar was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on April 28, 1888, to Peter Crerar, a lawyer, and Marion Stinson. He attended Upper Canada College and Hamilton's Highfield School before graduating from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston in 1910.
Crerar worked as an engineer for the Ontario Hydro Commission before World War I, where he established a research department in 1912.
World War I and Interwar Years
During World War I, Crerar served as an artillery officer, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was one of the few officers who remained in the Canadian Army after the war.
World War II
Commander of the Canadian ArmyWith the outbreak of World War II, Crerar was promoted to major general and appointed Chief of the General Staff (CGS). As CGS, he was responsible for overseeing the mobilization and training of the Canadian Army.
In 1942, Crerar was promoted to lieutenant general and became the first Canadian to command the 1st Canadian Army. He led the army in the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 and the subsequent Italian Campaign.
Liberation of Northwest Europe
In 1944, Crerar commanded the 1st Canadian Army during the D-Day landings in Normandy. He also led the army in the subsequent liberation of Northwest Europe, including the Battle of the Scheldt and the Rhineland Campaign.
Post-War Career
After the war, Crerar served as Chief of Staff of the Canadian Army from 1946 to 1950. He retired from the military in 1950 and became a member of the Canadian Senate.
Legacy
Henry Duncan Graham Crerar was a distinguished Canadian general who played a pivotal role in the Second World War. He was a highly respected commander and a key figure in the Allied victory.
