Jean Victor Allard
Encyclopedia
Jean Victor Allard, was the first French-Canadian to become Chief of the Defence Staff, the highest position in the Canadian Forces
, from 1966–1969. He was also the first to hold the accompanying rank of general.
He proposed to his future wife, Simone Piché, on the 11th of November, and was married on 7 January 1939.
He and his wife had four children, Michèle, Jean, Andrée and Louis. Both sons died before reaching majority. Their daughters later married; Michèle married Jean Lajeunesse and had three children (Éric, France and Richard) and Andrée married Pierre Chénier and had four children (Martin, Andréane, Caroline and Jean-Olivier).
He retired to the city of Trois-Rivières
, where he and Simone both lived out their days. Simone died on 24 April 1995. He died the following year, on 23 April 1996.
prior to the Second World War. After the outbreak of war in 1939, he was attested to the Canadian Active Service Force and promoted to the rank of major. When the active component of his regiment was redesignated to become an Anglophone armoured unit, he requested a transfer to the infantry and became the Deputy Commanding Officer of le Régiment de la Chaudière
in England
. In December 1943, he became the Commanding Officer of the Royal 22e Régiment
in Italy
.
He was in command of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade
at the end of the war in Germany
, in the rank of brigadier (now brigadier-general). He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on three occasions. He was the Canadian Military Attaché in Moscow
after the war until 1948 when he was appointed Commander for the East Quebec Area. During the Korean War
, he commanded the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade
from April 1953. He signed the truce at Panmunjon on Canada's behalf on 27 July 1953. He became commander of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade in 1954 and Commander of the Eastern Quebec Area in 1956. In 1958 he was made Vice-Chief of the General Staff.
As a major-general, he commanded the British 4th Division
from 1961 to 1963, as part of the British Army of the Rhine
(BAOR). In 1964 he was made Chief of Operational Readiness. As a lieutenant-general, he was Commander, Mobile Command
from 1965 to 1966, comprising the Canadian land forces in Canada and, at that time, the close air support forces, as well.
In July 1966, Allard was promoted to full General. From 1966 to 1969, he was Chief of the Defence Staff
. He was the first francophone to occupy this position. It was under his supervision that the Canadian Forces were integrated.
He was heavily involved in the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces. He is also remembered for the implementation of a significant expansion of French-language units (FLUs) in the Army (the creation of a French-language brigade at CFB Valcartier
with units of all arms and services), in the Air Force (the creation of French-language squadrons) and in the Navy (the creation of French-language ships).
In 1985, he published his memoirs, with English translation in 1988 The memoirs of General Jean V. Allard, written in cooperation with Serge Bernier.
.
The Général-Jean-Victor-Allard Building
, the home of the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School
, was named in honour of General Allard.
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Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
, from 1966–1969. He was also the first to hold the accompanying rank of general.
Personal life
Allard was the only boy of seven children. His sisters were Anaïs, Judith, Thérèse, Marie, Irène and Madeleine. When he was seven years old, he and his sisters became orphans.He proposed to his future wife, Simone Piché, on the 11th of November, and was married on 7 January 1939.
He and his wife had four children, Michèle, Jean, Andrée and Louis. Both sons died before reaching majority. Their daughters later married; Michèle married Jean Lajeunesse and had three children (Éric, France and Richard) and Andrée married Pierre Chénier and had four children (Martin, Andréane, Caroline and Jean-Olivier).
He retired to the city of Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec...
, where he and Simone both lived out their days. Simone died on 24 April 1995. He died the following year, on 23 April 1996.
Military career
Allard served as an officer in the Régiment de Trois-Rivières12e Régiment blindé du Canada
The 12e Régiment blindé du Canada is a Canadian Forces armoured regiment based in CFB Valcartier, on the outskirts of Quebec City...
prior to the Second World War. After the outbreak of war in 1939, he was attested to the Canadian Active Service Force and promoted to the rank of major. When the active component of his regiment was redesignated to become an Anglophone armoured unit, he requested a transfer to the infantry and became the Deputy Commanding Officer of le Régiment de la Chaudière
Le Régiment de la Chaudière
The Régiment de la Chaudière is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.-Insignia:The regimental insignia consists of two crossed machine guns, surmounted by a beaver supporting a fleur-de-lys...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. In December 1943, he became the Commanding Officer of the Royal 22e Régiment
Royal 22e Régiment
The Royal 22nd Regiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The regiment comprises three Regular Force battalions, two Primary Reserve battalions, and a band, making it the largest regiment in the Canadian Army...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
He was in command of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade
6th Canadian Infantry Brigade
As part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division mobilization started on 1 September 1939, even before the declaration of war, and the battalions were promptly fleshed out by volunteers. However, further expansion was hindered by a temporary halt in recruitment and uncertainty about overseas deployment...
at the end of the war in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, in the rank of brigadier (now brigadier-general). He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on three occasions. He was the Canadian Military Attaché in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
after the war until 1948 when he was appointed Commander for the East Quebec Area. During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, he commanded the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade
25th Canadian Infantry Brigade
The 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade was Canada's primary combat-formation intending to be sent as part of the British Commonwealth Forces Korea. Originally composed of three infantry battalions and two armoured squadrons, several individual units rotated through the brigade...
from April 1953. He signed the truce at Panmunjon on Canada's behalf on 27 July 1953. He became commander of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade in 1954 and Commander of the Eastern Quebec Area in 1956. In 1958 he was made Vice-Chief of the General Staff.
As a major-general, he commanded the British 4th Division
4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)
The 4th Infantry Division is a regular British Army division with a long history having been present at the Peninsular War the Crimean War , the First World War , and during the Second World War.- Napoleonic Wars :...
from 1961 to 1963, as part of the British Army of the Rhine
British Army of the Rhine
There have been two formations named British Army of the Rhine . Both were originally occupation forces in Germany, one after the First World War, and the other after the Second World War.-1919–1929:...
(BAOR). In 1964 he was made Chief of Operational Readiness. As a lieutenant-general, he was Commander, Mobile Command
Commander, Mobile Command
The Commander, Mobile Command was the head of the Canadian Forces Mobile Command, the former name for Canadian Forces Land Force Command. The appointment was entitled Chief of the General Staff until 1964 when the appointment became Commander, Mobile Command with the unification of Canada's...
from 1965 to 1966, comprising the Canadian land forces in Canada and, at that time, the close air support forces, as well.
In July 1966, Allard was promoted to full General. From 1966 to 1969, he was Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the second most senior member of the Canadian Forces, and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements...
. He was the first francophone to occupy this position. It was under his supervision that the Canadian Forces were integrated.
He was heavily involved in the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces. He is also remembered for the implementation of a significant expansion of French-language units (FLUs) in the Army (the creation of a French-language brigade at CFB Valcartier
CFB Valcartier
Canadian Forces Base Valcartier is a Canadian Forces Base located in the municipality of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, approximately north of Quebec City...
with units of all arms and services), in the Air Force (the creation of French-language squadrons) and in the Navy (the creation of French-language ships).
In 1985, he published his memoirs, with English translation in 1988 The memoirs of General Jean V. Allard, written in cooperation with Serge Bernier.
Honours
In 1968, he was made a Companion of the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
.
The Général-Jean-Victor-Allard Building
Général-Jean-Victor-Allard Building
The Général-Jean-Victor-Allard Building also known as the Megaplex, Megastructure or Mega , is located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. It is operated by the Canadian Forces....
, the home of the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School
Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School
The Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School is located at the Général-Jean-Victor-Allard Building in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.CFLRS is a leadership training school for both primary reservist and regular forces....
, was named in honour of General Allard.
External links
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