Paul Triquet
{{Short description|Canadian Army general (1910–1980)}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = Brigadier-General
| name = Paul Triquet
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|size=100%|VC|CD|KStJ}}
| image = Paul Triquet.jpg
| caption = Paul Triquet
| birth_date = 2 April 1910
| death_date = 8 August 1980 (aged 70)
| birth_place = Cabano, Quebec
| death_place = Quebec City, Quebec
| placeofburial = Citadelle of Quebec
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial_coordinates =
| nickname =
| birth_name =
| allegiance = Canada
| branch = Canadian Army
| serviceyears = 1927–56
| rank = Brigadier-General
| servicenumber =
| unit = Royal 22e Régiment
| commands =
| battles = Second World War
| battles_label =
| awards = {{plainlist|
}}
| relations =
| laterwork =
| signature =
}}
Brigadier-General Paul Triquet {{post-nominals|country=CAN|sep=,|VC|CD|KStJ}} (April 2, 1910 – August 8, 1980) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for valour in the presence of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Triquet held the rank of captain at the time of his VC award and went on to achieve the rank of brigadier-general.
Triquet was the only Quebecer to be awarded the VC during the Second World War.
Details
File:Triquet e010786012-v8.jpg
Paul Triquet was a 33-year-old captain in the Royal 22e Régiment (R22eR), Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, during the Second World War when the following deed took place as part of the Moro River Campaign in Italy.
His VC citation reads: On 14 December 1943 during the attack on Casa Berardi, Italy, when all the other officers and half the men of his company had been killed or wounded, Captain Triquet dashed forward and, with the remaining men, broke through the enemy resistance. He then forced his way on with his small force – now reduced to two sergeants and 15 men – into a position on the outskirts of Casa Berardi. They held out against attacks from overwhelming numbers until the remainder of the battalion relieved them, the next day. Throughout the action Captain Triquet's utter disregard for danger and his cheerful encouragement were an inspiration to his men.{{London Gazette|issue=36408|page=1097|date=3 March 1944 |supp=y}}
Memorials
A memorial plaque was placed at Mount Royal Crematorium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His ashes are interred in the regimental memorial of the R22eR, Citadelle of Quebec. Triquet Island, off the west coast of British Columbia, is named in his honour. A statue of Triquet is one of 14 that comprise the Valiants Memorial in Confederation Square in Ottawa.
Mont Triquet is one of the peaks in the training area of CFB Valcartier.
Medals
File:Triquet statue.jpg (Ontario)]]
His medals can be seen at the Citadelle, but the displayed VC is actually a replica of Triquet's.
References
{{reflist}}
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
External links
{{Commons category|Paul Triquet}}
- [http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=history/secondwar/citations/triquet Drawing and biography of Paul Triquet]
- [http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/gal/vcg-gcv/bio/triquet-p-eng.asp Biography with photo]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Triquet, Paul}}
Category:Canadian World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross
Category:People from Bas-Saint-Laurent
Category:Knights of the Legion of Honour
Category:Knights of the Order of St John
Category:Canadian Army personnel of World War II