Paul Triquet
Recipient of the Victoria Cross
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Biography
Brigadier-General Paul Triquet VC, CD, (April 2, 1910 – August 8, 1980), born in Cabano (Québec) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour "in the face 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 win the VC during WWII.
Details
Paul Triquet was a 33 years old captain in the Royal 22 Régiment (Royal 22nd Regiment, known colloquially in English as The Van Doos, an anglicized pronunciation of the French number twenty-two: vingt-deux), Canadian Army, 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.
Memorials
A memorial plaque was placed at Mount Royal Crematorium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His ashes are interred in the regimental memorial of the Royal 22 Régiment, The Citadel, Quebec. Triquet Island, (51°47′60″ N, 128°15′0″ W), is named in his honour and is located off the west coast of Canada in the Province of British Columbia. A statue of Triquet stands in the centre of Ottawa as part of the fourteen Valiants in Confederation Square.
Medals
His medals can be seen at the Citadelle de Québec, but the displayed Victoria Cross is actually a replica of Triquet's.