Georges Vanier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Georges Vanier
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Vanier in 1918
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| 19th Governor General of Canada | |
| In office 15 September 1959 – 5 March 1967 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | Vincent Massey |
| Succeeded by | Roland Michener |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Georges-Philias Vanier
23 April 1888 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | 5 March 1967 (aged 78) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Resting place | Memorial Chapel at Citadelle |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse |
Pauline Archer
(m. 1921) |
| Children | 5, including Thérèse and Jean |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Service years | 1914–1948, 1952-1964 (Honorary) |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Royal 22nd Regiment |
| Wars | |
| Awards |
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Georges-Philias Vanier (born April 23, 1888 – died March 5, 1967) was a brave Canadian soldier and a skilled diplomat. He became the 19th governor general of Canada. This important role meant he was the Queen's representative in Canada. He was the first person from Quebec and the second Canadian-born person to hold this position.
Vanier grew up and went to school in Quebec. He earned a law degree and then joined the Canadian army. He fought in the First World War in Europe, where he was injured and lost a leg. He was recognized for his courage with several awards from King George V.
After the war, Vanier stayed in the military for a while. In the 1930s, he started working as a diplomat in Europe. When the Second World War began, he returned to military duty in Canada. After the war ended in 1945, he went back to his diplomatic work.
In 1959, Queen Elizabeth II chose him to be the Governor General. This was suggested by Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. Vanier served until his death in 1967. Many Canadians respected him because of his war service. However, some people in Quebec who wanted Quebec to be a separate country did not like that he represented the Canadian monarch.
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Early Life and Education
Georges Vanier was born in Montreal, Quebec. His mother, Margaret, was Irish, and his father, Philias, was French-Norman. They raised him to speak both English and French. His family was quite well-off. His father was a successful businessman who even owned one of the first cars in Montreal.
Vanier went to Loyola College (Montreal), a school run by Jesuits. In 1906, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was the top student in his class. At Loyola, he studied Catholic theology, Latin, Greek, philosophy, and literature. He was a very good student and also enjoyed sports like boxing and hockey.
He dreamed of becoming a poet, inspired by writers like John Keats. He even published some poems under the name Georges Raymound. Vanier was a quiet student, but he loved hockey. He once scored the winning goal for his school team, which he remembered as a very happy moment.
A French Jesuit teacher, Father Pierre Gaume, greatly influenced Vanier. Father Gaume encouraged him to learn more about French literature and culture. In 1908, Vanier decided not to become a priest, even though some teachers suggested it.
In 1911, Vanier earned his law degree from Université Laval in Montreal. He became a lawyer that same year. He loved French literature and saw Paris as an ideal city. In 1912, he visited Paris for the first time.
A Brave Soldier
When the First World War started in 1914, Vanier felt it was his duty to serve Canada. He helped create the French-Canadian 22nd Battalion in 1915. He became an officer in this group, which later became the famous Royal 22e Régiment.
Vanier believed France was very important to Western civilization. He was also upset by Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium. He wrote that he felt a deep desire to help fix the "wrong done" to Belgium.
In 1915, Vanier became a lieutenant. He sailed to England for more training, then went to the front lines in France. In January 1916, he led a daring night raid on a German machine-gun post. This success was reported widely, even in the United States.
Vanier was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in June 1916 for his bravery. Soon after, he was wounded by a German shell. He recovered in a monastery that was used as a hospital. Despite his parents wanting him to return home, Vanier insisted on going back to the front. He saw the war as a "holy war" to defend freedom. He believed soldiers were like "knights" fighting for what was right. In September 1916, King George V personally gave him the Military Cross at Windsor Castle.
Vanier played a part in the Canadian attack that captured Vimy Ridge in April 1917. This ridge was a very strong German position, and its capture was a huge victory. Vanier was very happy, writing that the war would be over quickly.
In July 1917, he received the French Legion of Honour. In late 1918, he was badly wounded during an attack at Chérisy, losing his right leg. He stayed in France during his long recovery, refusing to leave his fellow soldiers. For his courage, he received a Bar to his Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
After the war, Vanier returned to Montreal and practiced law. In 1921, he married Pauline Archer. They had five children, including Thérèse Vanier and Jean Vanier.
From 1921 to 1925, Vanier worked as an aide-de-camp for Governor General Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy. He then commanded the Royal 22nd Régiment at La Citadelle for a year. He remained close to Lord Byng, who had led the Canadian Corps during the war.
A Diplomat for Canada
In 1928, Vanier joined Canada's military group for disarmament at the League of Nations. In 1930, he became secretary to the Canadian High Commission in London, England. He stayed there for almost ten years, working with Vincent Massey, who would later become Governor General.
In January 1939, Vanier became Canada's top representative in France. As the Second World War approached, he sent his family away from Paris for safety. On August 26, 1939, he sent a message to Ottawa saying war seemed unavoidable.
When Germany invaded France in May 1940, Vanier had to burn secret documents at the Canadian office in Paris. He prepared his staff to leave the city. He also saw thousands of refugees, including Jewish people from Germany, seeking help to go to Canada. Vanier asked Canada to offer more support and asylum for these refugees.
On June 10, 1940, the French government moved from Paris, and Vanier ordered his staff to leave too. He handed over Canada's affairs to the American ambassador. The drive to their new location took 17 hours because the roads were full of refugees.
When the Nazi occupation of France began in 1940, Vanier and his family went to the United Kingdom and then back to Canada in 1941. He became a commander in Quebec's military district and started a policy of having both English and French in the army.
The next year, Vanier was promoted to major general. He also became Canada's special representative to several governments that were forced to leave their countries during the war. Georges and Pauline Vanier worked hard to convince Canada to accept more refugees during the war. They were often frustrated that their efforts did not lead to big changes in Canada's immigration rules.
Vanier was a friend and admirer of Charles de Gaulle, the leader of the Free French forces. Vanier often urged Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King to support de Gaulle's government. He believed it was important for France's future.
In the summer of 1944, Vanier visited Italy to see his old regiment fighting there. He also met Pope Pius XII in Rome. When Paris was freed from German control in August 1944, the Vaniers were overjoyed. They were also saddened to see how much the war had affected France. They visited the ruins of Caen and the graves of Canadian soldiers who died in the Dieppe Raid.
After France was liberated, Vanier became Canada's first ambassador to France. In April 1945, he visited the recently freed Buchenwald concentration camp. He saw the terrible conditions and learned that three Canadian soldiers had been executed there.
Back in Canada, he gave a speech on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, expressing his sadness that Canada had not done more to help. He and his wife continued to help refugees at the Canadian embassy in Paris. Their efforts, along with others, helped change Canada's immigration rules. Between 1947 and 1953, over 186,000 European refugees settled in Canada. The Vaniers also worked to send food from Canada to France to prevent famine.
In 1953, Vanier retired from his diplomatic work and returned to Montreal. He and his wife continued their social work. He also served on the Canada Council for the Arts and as a director for several companies.
Canada's Governor General
Georges Vanier was the first Governor General born in Quebec. He spoke both French and English, which helped him promote Canadian unity. His appointment started a tradition of alternating between French and English-speaking Governors General.
Becoming Governor General
The news that Vanier would be Governor General was announced on August 1, 1959. Queen Elizabeth II herself approved his appointment. Vanier was not in good health, but he said he would do his best. "If God wants me to do this job, He will give me the strength to do it," he said.
Many people were surprised by his appointment because he was a strong supporter of the Liberal Party. However, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker wanted more French-speaking representation in Canada's government. Some people had concerns because Vanier was a devout Catholic. But the Queen's private secretary thought Vanier would be "the best governor general in Canadian history."
In Office
He officially became Governor General on September 15, 1959, in the Senate Chamber. He moved into Rideau Hall, the official residence. He asked for a bilingual sign at the gates and a chapel for Mass inside the building. These requests showed his strong faith and his belief in Canadian unity.
Vanier prayed daily in the chapel. At a time when Quebec separatists were causing challenges, Vanier gave many speeches. He spoke in both French and English, praising Canadians for living together. He said, "The road of unity is the road of love." However, some Quebec nationalists saw him as a "traitor" because he supported Canada's unity.
Despite his poor health, Vanier traveled across Canada. He became very popular with Canadians. He attended the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway in 1959. In 1965, he helped launch Canada's new national flag. He was also made Chief Big Eagle by the Blackfoot Confederacy in Calgary.
He encouraged children to achieve their best. He was the Chief Scout of Canada. He and his wife were very interested in family life. In 1964, they started the Vanier Institute of the Family. As the Queen's representative, Vanier hosted many important guests. These included U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and President Charles de Gaulle of France.
His Passing
By 1966, Vanier's health was getting worse. On March 4, 1967, he spoke with Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. He said he was willing to continue as Governor General until the end of Canada's centennial year. But the next day, after attending Mass, Governor General Vanier passed away.
His state funeral was held at the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica on March 8, 1967. He was buried at La Citadelle in Quebec City. It was noted that no representative from France attended his funeral. This suggested a change in relations between Canada and France. This eventually led to Charles de Gaulle's famous "Vive le Québec libre" speech later that year.
Vanier's Lasting Impact
In 1999, Maclean's magazine named Georges Vanier the most influential Canadian of all time. During his time as Governor General, he created several awards. These awards reflected his interests. He loved sports, especially hockey. In 1965, he started the Governor General's Fencing Award and the Vanier Cup for university football.
He also created awards for public service. These included the Vanier Medal in 1962 and the Vanier Awards for Outstanding Young Canadians in 1967.
Many Canadian Catholics see Georges and Pauline Vanier as potential candidates for sainthood. This is because of their strong faith and kindness. The Newman Center at the University of Toronto has stained glass windows showing the Vanier couple.
Georges Vanier is remembered for his efforts to help Jewish refugees after the Second World War. He also played a role in shaping modern Canadian multiculturalism.
Honours and Awards
Georges Vanier received many honours for his service to Canada and other countries.
- He was a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
- He received the Military Cross (MC) twice for his bravery in battle.
- He was made a Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of Saint John.
- He was the Chief Scout of Canada.
- He was made a member of the Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.
- He was named Chief Big Eagle by the Blackfoot Confederacy.
- He received many medals for his service in both World Wars.
- He was made a Knight of the French Legion of Honour.
- He received the Commander of the Legion of Merit from the United States.
Many places and awards are named after him, including:
- The Vanier Cup for university football.
- Vanier College in Montreal.
- Georges-Vanier Métro station in Montreal.
- Vanier, a former town now part of Ottawa.
- The Vanier Institute of the Family, which he co-founded.
Images for kids
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Vanier (seated, right), with William Lyon Mackenzie King (seated, centre), and other members of the Canadian delegation dispatched to the United Kingdom to discuss war planning, 1941
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Georges Vanier's coat of arms. The motto means "May God's Will Be Done."
