Dominic Patrick facts for kids
Dominic "Dick" Patrick was a brave Canadian war hero and a strong voice for the rights of Indigenous people. He was born in 1920 in Saik'uz village, British Columbia, and was a member of the Carrier First Nation. He spent most of his life in his home village.
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A Canadian Hero: Dominic "Dick" Patrick
Early Life and Joining the Army
In early 1942, Dick Patrick joined the Canadian army. He served as a Gunner in the Canadian 4th Armoured Division. He was part of the crew of an M10 tank destroyer, a powerful military vehicle.
Bravery in Battle
On September 10, 1944, during the Battle of Moerbrugge in Moerbrugge, Belgium, Dick Patrick showed incredible courage. His unit was finding it hard to locate enemy positions. Patrick bravely went ahead alone to scout the area. He found an enemy machine gun nest, attacked it, and, amazingly, captured 55 German soldiers by himself!
For this incredibly brave action, he received the Military Medal from King George VI. This special award was given to him on October 23, 1945, at Buckingham Palace. The award citation praised his daring attack, which completely surprised the enemy and helped his unit move forward.
Gunner Patrick asked to go ahead on foot and find enemy positions. Even with enemy fire, he managed to get into the middle of an enemy machine gun position. There, he opened fire with his light machine gun. His brave attack completely surprised the enemy, causing 55 soldiers and three officers to surrender. This cleared a strong enemy spot that had stopped the infantry for about two days. The expansion of the bridgehead was largely thanks to this gunner's bravery.
Speaking Up for Fairness
When Dick Patrick met King George VI, he used the important moment to speak about the unfair treatment his people faced. He told the King that when his people went to the nearby town of Vanderhoof, they were not allowed in restaurants or public restrooms. They even had to use the back door of grocery stores to buy food.
I told [the King] when my people went into Vanderhoof, they were not allowed to go into restaurants, use public toilets, and had to come in the back door of a grocery store to buy groceries. We spoke for a long time about the injustice to my people. He told me he would endeavour to help my people.
He and the King talked for a long time about these unfair rules. The King told him he would try to help his people.
Fighting for Rights at Home
While in the army, Dick Patrick was treated equally, with very little unfairness. But after he left the army in March 1946, he faced the same unfair treatment as before. In Vanderhoof, many businesses refused to serve Indigenous people. Others made them use separate entrances and facilities.
Soon after he returned home, he went into the Silver Grill Café. He sat down and tried to order a meal. When he was told he couldn't be served, he refused to leave. For standing up for his rights, he faced unfair consequences and was kept away from his home for a period.
When he was released and returned to Vanderhoof, he immediately went back to the Silver Grill Café and again demanded to be served. He faced unfair consequences again. Over one year, he tried to be served 11 times, and each time he faced these unfair consequences. He spent 11 months of that year unfairly kept away from his home.
A Lasting Legacy
Dick Patrick passed away in 1980. He was buried with full military honors in his home village of Saik'uz. His bravery in war and his strong fight for equal rights for his people make him a true hero.
