1887–1966
Pine Hills Cemetery
Section K Lot 1056
Joseph Harcourt Tombs holds a distinguished place in Canadian military history as the first Canadian soldier in World War I to receive the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery given to British and Commonwealth service personnel.
On May 16, 1915, near Rue du Bois, France, Tombs performed an extraordinary act of courage. Under relentless rifle, shell and machine-gun fire, he crawled repeatedly into open ground to rescue wounded comrades stranded in front of the trenches. Acting entirely on his own initiative, Tombs saved four men, dragging one back using a rifle sling around his neck – a man so gravely injured that immediate aid was the difference between life and death.
His heroism earned him the Victoria Cross, presented by King George V at Buckingham Palace on August 12, 1915. Tombs also received numerous other honours, including the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and foreign decorations such as the Order of St. George (Russia).
After the war, Tombs emigrated to Canada, working for Sun Life Assurance and later serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. His life reflected resilience and service, from soldier to civilian, from battlefield heroics to community contributions.
Joseph Harcourt Tombs was laid to rest on in Pine Hills July 2, 1966, with a military funeral and a guard of honour from the Royal Canadian Regiment. His headstone is a tribute to a man whose bravery remains a symbol of sacrifice.
Source:
• Wikipedia – Joseph Harcourt Tombs
• Mount Pleasant Group – Joseph H. Tombs
• VCGCA – Victoria Cross & George Cross Association: Joseph Harcourt Tombs
Photo: RCD Archives and Collection, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
