13 Facts About Christopher Vokes

Christopher Vokes retired in 1959 and died in 1985 at the age of 80.

From 1921 to 1925 Christopher Vokes attended the Royal Military College of Canada and was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Engineers.

Christopher Vokes then attended McGill University from 1926 to 1927 where he received a Bachelor of Science degree and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Society.

Christopher Vokes proved to be an outstanding operational officer and in June 1942 was promoted to brigadier and put in charge of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade.

Christopher Vokes was a successful commander because he maintained a good balance between technical skills such as planning and directing operations and his ability to understand, motivate, and lead soldiers, and because his actions were guided by a sound philosophy of command based on personal leadership and teamwork.

Shortly after the beginning of the Italian campaign, Christopher Vokes temporarily took command of the 1st Canadian Division after its current General Officer Commanding, Major-General Simonds, fell ill, with Bert Hoffmeister taking over the 2nd Canadian Brigade.

Christopher Vokes soon became the division's permanent GOC and was promoted to the rank of major general on 1 November 1943.

Christopher Vokes led the division during the Battle of Ortona, after which he was criticized for unimaginative tactics and frontal assaults.

Christopher Vokes remained in command of the division throughout much subsequent hard fighting, including in the fighting to break the Gothic Line.

Units and soldiers of the Argylls had spontaneously begun the arson of Friesoythe to revenge the death of their colonel, but after Christopher Vokes issued his direct order, the town was systematically set on fire with flamethrowers mounted on Wasp Carriers.

From June 1945 to May 1946 Christopher Vokes was the General Officer Commanding the Canadian Army Occupation Force in Europe.

Christopher Vokes retired to Oakville, Ontario in 1959 and in 1985 published his memoirs, My Story.

Christopher Vokes died of cancer on 27 March 1985, aged 80.