Robert Shankland

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Shankland, VC, DCM was born on 10 October 1887 in Ayr, Scotland, and emigrated to Canada before the First World War, settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He enlisted in 1914 as a private in the 43rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, also known as the Cameron Highlanders of Canada, and rose rapidly through the ranks. By 1916 he had become a senior non-commissioned officer and earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry at Sanctuary Wood. Later that year he was commissioned as an officer.

Shankland received the Victoria Cross for his actions on 26 October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele, while serving with the 43rd Battalion at Bellevue Spur, one of the key defensive positions guarding the approach to Passchendaele village. After his platoon captured a forward position, both flanks became dangerously exposed and the unit came under heavy shellfire and counterattack. Shankland rallied the survivors, organized the defence, and then personally made his way through mud and enemy fire to battalion headquarters to report the situation and recommend a counterattack. He returned to his men and continued to command until relieved. His Victoria Cross citation credited his courage, leadership, and tactical skill with saving a critical situation.

After the war, Shankland remained connected to the militia, serving with the Cameron Highlanders of Canada and later the Canadian Scottish Regiment. During the Second World War, he again served with the Canadian Army, going overseas as a major and later becoming a lieutenant-colonel, including service as commandant of the Canadian Army Detention Barracks in England.

Shankland is also remembered as one of the three Victoria Cross recipients associated with Pine Street in Winnipeg, alongside Frederick William Hall and Leo Clarke. The street was later renamed Valour Road in their honour, a remarkable and likely unique concentration of Victoria Cross recipients from one street. Robert Shankland died in Vancouver, British Columbia, on 20 January 1968.