The Victoria Cross stands as the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth armed forces, awarded for exceptional courage during wartime. Among the distinguished recipients, one name holds a unique place in Canadian military history: Lt.-Col. John Weir Foote, the only member of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service to ever receive this prestigious honour.
From Ontario Minister to Military Chaplain
Born on May 5, 1904, in Madoc, Ontario, John Weir Foote pursued education at the University of Western Ontario and Queen's University before graduating from the Montreal Presbyterian College at McGill University. Ordained as a Presbyterian minister, he served congregations in Fort Coulonge, Quebec, and Port Hope, Ontario.
When the Second World War began, Foote answered the call to service, enlisting in what was then called the Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps in December 1939. He received the rank of honourary captain and was assigned to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment) in Hamilton, Ontario, as their Regimental Chaplain.
Extraordinary Bravery at Dieppe
When the 1st Battalion, Royal Hamilton Light Infantry deployed to England in July 1940, Captain Foote accompanied them. On August 19, 1942, the regiment participated in Operation Jubilee, the Allied raid on the French port of Dieppe. This marked only the second time Canadian forces saw action in the Second World War.
Foote wasn't originally scheduled to join the raid, but he insisted to his commanding officer, Lt.-Col. Robert Labatt, that he would participate regardless of orders. Once on the beaches, the physically imposing chaplain attached himself to the Regimental Aid Post, where he provided both spiritual comfort and physical assistance to wounded soldiers.
During the eight-hour battle, Foote performed acts of incredible bravery, carrying more than 30 wounded soldiers to safety while under heavy enemy fire. His Victoria Cross citation captures the extraordinary nature of his actions: "with utter disregard for his personal safety, Honourary Captain Foote exposed himself to an inferno of fire and saved many lives by his gallant efforts... his example inspired all around him."
Captivity and Later Life
When evacuation became necessary, Foote made the remarkable decision to remain behind with those soldiers who couldn't be evacuated, choosing to become a prisoner of war to continue providing pastoral care. In a surprising turn for a non-combatant, Foote even grabbed a Bren Gun during the evacuation to provide covering fire for his retreating comrades.
Foote was captured along with 173 other members of the RHLI, including Lt.-Col. Labatt. He remained a prisoner until his release on May 5, 1945. After returning to Canada, he continued serving with the Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps, posted to Camp Borden as Senior Protestant Chaplain with the rank of major.
On March 28, 1946, Foote traveled to Buckingham Palace where King George VI formally presented him with the Victoria Cross. Following his military service, Foote transitioned to politics, serving as the Conservative member for Durham County in the Ontario Legislature from 1948 until his retirement in 1959.
In his later years, Foote returned to the RHLI as its Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel from 1964 to 1973. The Royal Canadian Legion branch in Cobourg was named in his honour in 1982. Reverend Foote lived with his wife Edith in Cobourg, Ontario, until his death on May 2, 1988. He was laid to rest in Cobourg's Union Cemetery.
His legacy continues through the Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote, VC, CD Armouries in Hamilton, formerly the James Street Armoury, which was renamed in his honour in September 1990. His medals remain on permanent display at the RHLI Museum, preserving the memory of this extraordinary Canadian hero.
