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Revision as of 20:13, 27 December 2013
John Hamilton Roberts | |
|---|---|
 John Hamilton Roberts | |
| Nickname(s) | "Ham" |
| Born | 1891 Pipestone, Manitoba |
| Died | 1962 |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/ | Canadian Army |
| Years of service | 1914 - 1945 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | 2nd Canadian Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order Military Cross |
John Hamilton "Ham" Roberts CB, DSO, MC (December 21, 1891 – 1962) was a Canadian artillery officer and major general.
Roberts was born in Pipestone, Manitoba. He studied in Upper Canada College and graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario in 1914, student #891.
From 1939, he commanded the 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Northern France, and was served in that position when the Germans began the Battle of France in May 1940. Roberts managed to save his regiment's guns while evacuating from Dunkirk. He was later promoted to Major General and appointed General Officer Commanding the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division in 1941.
Roberts was put in charge of the ground troops for the raid against Dieppe, on August 19, 1942. His command post was aboard HMS Calpe and due to poor communications he had no idea how his troops were managing, until they called for landing craft for immediate evacuation. Roberts was criticized for unnecessarily committing his reserve troops (Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal) and inadvertently increasing the casualties. He was relieved of his command six months later.[1] He was sent to command reinforcement units in the United Kingdom and received no further operational commands. He later retired to the Channel Islands.[2]
External links
- Juno Beach Centre, short biography on Roberts
- Major General John Hamilton Roberts Canadian Army Journal Vol 12.2 Summer 2009
- Royal Canadian Artillery Museum Great Gunners John Hamilton Roberts
- Generals.dk
References
- 4237 Dr. Adrian Preston & Peter Dennis (Edited) "Swords and Covenants" Rowman And Littlefield, London. Croom Helm. 1976.
- H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College of Canada" 1997 Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1969.
- H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "Canada's RMC - A History of Royal Military College" Second Edition 1982
- H1877 R. Guy C. Smith (editor) "As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember". In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876-1918. Volume II: 1919-1984. Royal Military College. [Kingston]. The R.M.C. Club of Canada. 1984