Canadian War Museum receives Viscount Byng of Vimy's medalsOttawa, Ontario, April 2, 2007 — The Canadian War Museum has received an important donation from Mr. Dale Murray, consisting of the medals and honours of Viscount Byng of Vimy. Byng is best known in Canada as Governor General from 1921 to 1926, and for leading the Canadian Corps during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, an honour reflected in his official title.
"Personal stories help make visitors better understand the military history presented in the Museum" said Joe Geurts, Director and CEO of the Canadian War Museum. "And the story of a former Governor General, and the general who commanded the Canadian Corps at the Battle of Vimy Ridge is one that our visitors will appreciate now, and in future."
At the official event today, donor Dale Murray conveyed his pleasure by saying, "Generations of Canadians will have the opportunity to discover more about the man who was a central figure in Canada's emergence as an autonomous country within the British Commonwealth."
Selected medals and honours will be on public display at the entrance to the Canadian Experience Galleries starting Friday, April 6. The display is one of several programs and activities marking the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the War Museum this Easter weekend, from Saturday, April 7 to Monday, April 9.
About the Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum is Canada's national museum of military history, and the second most visited museum in the Nation's Capital. It attempts to help all Canadians better understand their country's military history in its personal, national and international dimensions. The Museum emphasizes the human experience of war to explain the impact of organized human conflict on Canada and Canadians, and how, through war, conflict, and peace support operations, Canadians have affected, and been affected by, the world around them. Special exhibitions and programs also explore non-Canadian and general themes related to the human experience of war and the subject of armed conflict, past and present.
More information on Vimy Ridge Day activities can be found at http://www.civilization.ca/media/show_pr_e.asp?ID=1016 .
BACKGROUNDERS
Lord Byng of Vimy
Sir Julian Byng, an experienced, highly respected British general, commanded the Canadian Corps through the battles of Mount Sorrel, the Somme and Vimy Ridge, from May 1916 to June 1917. He forged the Canadian Corps into one of the most efficient formations on the Western Front.
Byng came from an aristocratic family, and was known to the King, who informally called him Bungo. From the start of the war, he held senior command appointments in the British Expeditionary Force, and orchestrated the successful retreat of allied forces from the Gallipoli Peninsula in early 1916 during the Dardanelles campaign.
Byng appeared destined to lead a British army, but, in May 1916, the British Commander-in-Chief, Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, ordered him to take command of the Canadian Corps. Shocked, and initially uncertain about the assignment, he wrote "Why am I sent to the Canadians?... I don't know a Canadian. Why this stunt?"
The first commander of the Corps, British Lieutenant-General E. A. H. Alderson, had led the Canadians at the Battle of Second Ypres (April 1915), where they fought off overwhelming German forces and stood their ground in the face of the war's first and second lethal chlorine gas attacks. Alderson commanded the Canadians through several additional battles and the stalemated trench warfare of 1915–1916. After the disastrous Battle of St. Eloi in April 1916, pressure from Canadian politicians forced Haig to remove Alderson from command the following month.
Byng took over the Canadians and guided them to maturity until June 1917. They responded well to his easy command style, but also understood his demand for discipline. He commanded the Canadians through the bloody battles at Mount Sorrel (June 1916) and the Somme (September–November 1916). Afterwards, he was responsible for instigating tactical reforms in the Canadian Corps, which had, by late 1916, grown to four divisions and almost 100,000 troops. He listened to his subordinates and empowered innovative Canadians like Arthur Currie and Andrew McNaughton to make reforms to infantry and artillery tactics.
Byng's greatest battlefield achievement with the Canadians was leading them to victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917. Previous Allied assaults against Vimy had failed, with terrible casualties and the Germans still in position on the ridge. In the months leading up to the battle, Byng ordered thorough planning and preparation. On 9 April 1917, the Canadian Corps surged forward and drove the Germans from their formidable positions.
Canadian soldiers respected Byng, and many adopted "the Byng Boys" as their informal name. After Vimy, Byng was promoted to command one of the five British armies on the Western Front. He was raised to the peerage after the war. He took as his title 1st Baron Byng of Vimy of Thorpe-le-Soken, although he was better known as Lord Byng of Vimy, after the site of his and Canada's most memorable victory.
Lord Byng remained popular with Canadians and served as Governor General of Canada from 1921 to 1926. He travelled the country extensively and developed a passion for ice hockey. In 1925, Lady Byng presented a trophy to the National Hockey League, which, to this day, is given to the player adjudged to have "exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."
Byng returned to Great Britain in late 1926 and later served as Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police (1928–1931). On January 12, 1928, Byng was elevated from Baron to Viscount. He was promoted to Field Marshal in 1932. The Viscount Byng of Vimy died in 1935.
Medals and honours of Sir Julian Hedworth George Byng, Field Marshal and Viscount Byng of Vimy, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., M.V.O.
The Canadian War Museum has received the important medals and honours group of Sir Julian Hedworth George Byng, Field Marshal and Viscount Byng of Vimy, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., M.V.O., who commanded the Canadian Corps during the Battle of Vimy Ridge and was the Governor General of Canada from 1921 to 1926. His group includes his service and campaign medals, as well as some of the highest honours bestowed by the British Empire.
His highest honour is the Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Bath, instituted by King George I on May 18, 1725. The Order of the Bath, named for the ceremonial washing prior to a knight's investiture, is the fourth highest order of Chivalry awarded by Great Britain. It was conferred in three classes to deserving individuals for service to the county through civil, diplomatic and military achievement. Byng was elevated to the Knight Grand Cross, the highest class, in 1919 for his service during the First World War.
Lord Byng's honours also include the Knight Grand Cross, Order of St. Michael and St. George, founded by George, Prince of Wales on April 28, 1818. The Order of St. Michael and St. George recognizes important services rendered in the area of imperial and foreign relations. Deserving recipients were appointed to the order in three classes. Viscount Byng was first recognized with the 2nd class (Knight Commander) in 1915 and was elevated to the Knight Grand Cross in 1921.
Lord Byng was also made a member of the Royal Victorian Order, which was instituted in 1896 by Queen Victoria as recognition of extraordinary service to the Royal Sovereign. His medals group also has orders and medals recognizing his service by foreign governments and monarchs, including the Russian Order of St. Vladimir, the Belgian Order of the Crown, the French Legion of Honour and the United States Distinguished Service Medal. Included in this array of orders and accolades are his service medals for the Egyptian Campaigns (1882–1889), the South African War (1899–1902) and the First World War (1914–1918).
A list of Lord Byng's medals and honours:
The Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross
The Order of St. Michael & St. George, Knight Grand Cross
Royal Victorian Order, Member
Egypt Medal 1882 with bar
Queen's South Africa Medal 1899 with six bars
King's South Africa Medal with two bars
1914 Star with bar
British War Medal 1914–1920
Victory Medal 1914–1919 with Mentioned-in-Despatches
Queen Victoria Jubilee Medal 1897
King George V Coronation Medal 1911
Russian Order of St. Vladimir, 4th Class
Belgian Order of the Crown, 2nd Class
Belgian Croix de Guerre
French Legion of Honour, Officer
French Croix de Guerre with Palme
United States Distinguished Service Medal
Egyptian Khedives Star 1884
Information (media):
Christina Selin
Manager, Communications
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: 819 776-8607
E-mail: mailto:christina.selin@warmuseum.ca
Pierre Leduc
Media Relations Officer
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: 819 776-8608
E-mail: mailto:pierre.leduc@warmuseum.ca
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