by Georgiana Stanciu, PhD
General Charles Foulkes was a prominent personality in the Canadian Army during the Second World War. Born in Britain, he went to school in London, ON, then joined The Royal Canadian Regiment in 1926. He arose through the ranks to become commander of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division in Normandy, of the 1st Canadian Corps in Italy and of the First Canadian Army in Holland. On May 5, 1945, General Foulkes was representing the Allies when the 25th German Army surrendered in Wageningen, Netherlands. He returned to Canada after the war as Chief of the General Staff. He was appointed Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff in 1951, but nine years later he resigned in opposition to Diefenbaker government.
Throughout his career, Charles Foulkes received several foreign orders and decorations. Most of them came with a certificate citation including the date of the award, the reasons for which the honour was bestowed, and the signature of dignitaries in the respective countries. One of them was Harry Truman, President of the United States. Check this Story!