Wall of Honour salutes Sask. Victoria Cross recipients
Installation in Legislative Building a tribute to sacrifice of province’s soldiers
On Oct. 30, 1917, near Passchendaele, Belgium, a Saskatchewan soldier made history.
A member of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry, Sergeant George Harry Mullin, and his company were tasked with eliminating a German “pillbox” that was blocking its advance and causing heavy casualties
“While one group of Patricias led by Lieutenant Hugh Mckenzie made a frontal attack on the pillbox and drew its fire, Sergeant Mullin approached from the flank and crawled onto the top of the concrete structure, disposing of an enemy sniper’s position on the way” read an account of the attack housed on the Government of Canada’s website.
From the top of the pillbox, Mullin took out two German machinegunners with his revolver before compelling the remaining 10 officers to surrender.
“His gallantry and fearlessness were witnessed by many,” reads the Jan. 11, 1918 London Gazette. “Although rapid fire was directed upon him, and his clothes riddled by bullets, he never faltered in his purpose, and he not only helped to save the situation, but also indirectly saved many lives.”
The act of courage earned Mullin the Victoria Cross, awarded for the most “conspicuous bravery in attack.”
A survivor of the First World War, he went on to become the legislature’s sergeant-at-arms in 1943. He lived out his days in Saskatchewan, dying in Regina on April 5, 1963.
Mullin is one of 15 Saskatchewan recipients of the Victoria Cross being recognized with a Wall of Honour, which was unveiled during a ceremony at the Legislative Building on Wednesday morning.
The portable wall exists in two parts. On them, small glass cases — one for each recipient — contain a photo and copies of the medals awarded to them during their service.
It was unveiled as part of the annual Service of Remembrance at the Legislative Building, which this year marks 100 years since the end of the First World War.
“It’s just unbelievable that people could do the kinds of things that they did,” said Cliff Walker, a 35-year veteran who attended the ceremony on Wednesday morning.
Walker enlisted in Regina in 1962 as a combat engineer. After spending 35 years in the military, he retired as a brigadier-general.
He marvelled at the sheer courage and bravery of the Victoria Cross recipients, especially Mullin.
“What prompts a 25-year-old man in the prime of his life to just put all caution to the wind and race forward regardless of the dangers to himself to try and do something to save his comrades?” said Walker. “I think that there’s probably no greater contribution someone could make than to put themselves forward for other people.”
The Wall of Honour will be on temporary display in the Cumberland Gallery at the Legislative Building and then permanently installed in Room 218 on the second floor of the building.
There’s probably no greater contribution someone could make than to put themselves forward for other people.