Paul Triquet

One farmhouse, a handful of surviving soldiers and repeated German counterattacks stood between Captain Paul Triquet and a vital approach to Ortona. On 14 December 1943, this French-Canadian infantry officer led an assault that would earn him the Victoria Cross and establish his place among Canada's most distinguished soldiers of the Second World War.

Born in Cabano, Quebec, on 2 April 1910, Paul Triquet enlisted in the Royal 22e Régiment in November 1927. Rising through the ranks of Canada's Permanent Force, he became a commissioned officer in 1941. After service and training in Britain, he joined the Mediterranean campaign and took command of C Company during the fighting in Sicily in 1943.

By December, his battalion was advancing through Italy toward Ortona. German troops had fortified the approaches around Casa Berardi, using deep gullies, machine-gun positions, mortars and tanks to resist the Canadians. On 14 December, Triquet's company, supported by tanks of The Ontario Regiment, attacked the position.

The advance proved devastating. Many of Triquet's officers and men were killed or wounded, but he rallied the survivors and continued toward the objective. With only a small force remaining, he seized Casa Berardi and organized its defence against repeated German counterattacks. His leadership allowed the Canadians to hold the position and opened the way for further operations toward the Ortona-Orsogna road.

The London Gazette of 6 March 1944 recognized Triquet's determined leadership, courage and devotion to duty. King George VI presented him with the Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace on 27 March 1944. France also recognized his wartime service with the Legion of Honour, Knight.

Triquet continued to serve in training and command appointments after his Victoria Cross action. He left the regular Canadian Army in 1947 and returned to the Reserve Army in 1951. He commanded the Régiment de Lévis and the 8th Militia Group, attaining the rank of Brigadier-General in 1956. His subsequent public and charitable service included the St John Ambulance organization, through which he rose to Knight of the Order of St John.

He died in Quebec in August 1980. His ashes were placed in the Royal 22e Régiment memorial at the Citadelle of Quebec, preserving his association with the regiment whose soldiers he had led at Casa Berardi.