Canada:Valour Road

Canada Post issued a new stamp on 21 October 2021 in memory of three soldiers from Winnipeg’s Pine Street, all of whom were awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross for their bravery and sacrifice in the First World War.

Bestowed on fewer than 100 Canadians since 1856, the Victoria Cross is the Commonwealth's highest military decoration for bravery in combat. Pine Street, where these three men once lived, was renamed Valour Road in 1925, in dedication to their courage and sacrifices in the First World War.

Issue Description
In this special stamp issue, Canada Post honours three Canadian First World War soldiers who were recipients of the seldom-awarded Victoria Cross (Britain's highest honour for bravery in combat). Each lived on Winnipeg's Pine Street at one point in their lives: Corporal Lionel (Leo) Clarke, VC, Lieutenant Robert Shankland, VC, DCM, and Company Sergeant Major Frederick William Hall VC.

In recognition of the three heroes, Pine Street was officially renamed Valour Road in 1925.

A commemorative plaza erected nearby in 2005 features a stone monument in the shape of the Victoria Cross and three steel silhouettes honouring the soldiers of Valour Road.

Stamp
The stamp design features the three heroes, the Victoria Cross medal, the silhouette created to mark their courage, and artistic interpretations of their homes on the former Pine Street.

During the Battle of the Somme, Corporal Lionel (Leo) Clarke, VC (1892-1916) and a small section of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion were clearing a German trench line near the town of Pozières, France, on September 9, 1916.

Every man but Clarke was killed or severely wounded while winning the heavily defended trench. He emptied his pistol and two captured rifles during a German counterattack, killing at least 16 and sending the rest fleeing.

Despite being wounded, Clarke shot four more and took the last man prisoner. Promoted to sergeant, Clarke died the following month from injuries sustained by an exploding shell.

Robert Shankland, VC, DCM (1887-1968) enlisted as a private in the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders) and became a commissioned officer in 1916.

On October 26, 1917, in the Battle of Passchendaele, Shankland’s platoon and supporting troops won a foothold on the strategic Bellevue Spur ridge.

His force reduced to a remnant, Shankland led survivors in repelling a counterattack and held the position until reinforcements secured the ridge. Shankland then made his way through shelling to headquarters and report on the Germans’ position.

'Frederick William Hall, VC (1885-1915) enlisted in the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion, rising to the rank of company sergeant major. On April 24, 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium, Hall left the safety of a trench to rescue a wounded soldier.

Heavy German machine-gun fire wounded the two other rescuers. Hall persevered, but he was fatally shot by enemy fire as he lifted the wounded man.

First Day Covers
Each First Day Cover design features a portrait of the soldier, his Victoria Cross and any other medals they received in honour of their service.

A set of three First Day Covers was presented in a packaging folder by Canada Post, offering a close-up of the Victoria Cross medal.

Victoria Crosses are uniform in the front, with the date of the pertinent incident on the reverse. All three medals are part of the permanent collection of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

References & Notes
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