The Victoria Cross is the highest military honor for bravery awarded to members of British and Commonwealth forces. Only one member of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service has received this prestigious award: Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel The Reverend John Weir Foote, VC, CD.

Born on May 5, 1904, in Madoc, Ontario, Foote pursued higher education at the University of Western Ontario and Queen’s University. He later graduated from the Theology program at Montreal Presbyterian College, part of McGill University. After his ordination as a Presbyterian minister, he served congregations in Fort Coulonge, Quebec, and Port Hope, Ontario.

With the onset of World War II, many young Canadians enlisted in the military. Reverend Foote felt compelled to join and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps in December 1939. He was appointed as an honourary captain and assigned to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment) in Hamilton, Ontario, as their Regimental Chaplain.

In July 1940, when the 1st Battalion, Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI) was deployed to England, Foote accompanied them. On August 19, 1942, the RHLI participated in Operation Jubilee, landing at Dieppe, France. Although not initially scheduled to join the raid, Foote insisted on participating, telling Lt.-Col. Robert Labatt, the commanding officer, that he would go and that Labatt could arrest him if he disagreed.

Upon landing, Foote attached himself to the Regimental Aid Post, where he provided assistance to the medical officer and tended to wounded soldiers. His bravery during the eight-hour assault was remarkable. He carried over 30 injured soldiers to safety while under heavy enemy fire. His citation for the Victoria Cross noted his “utter disregard for his personal safety” and how his actions inspired those around him.

When evacuation was necessary, Foote volunteered to stay behind to offer pastoral care to those who could not be evacuated. Although non-combatants were not permitted to carry weapons, Foote took up a Bren Gun during the evacuation, providing covering fire for his comrades. He was captured along with 173 other members of the RHLI, including Lt.-Col. Labatt, and remained a prisoner of war until his release on May 5, 1945.

After returning to Canada, Foote continued his service with the Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps, becoming the Senior Protestant Chaplain at Camp Borden in September 1945. He lived in Barrie, Ontario, and on March 28, 1946, he received his Victoria Cross from King George VI at Buckingham Palace, marking him as the only member of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service to earn this honor.

Foote served with the Chaplain Corps until his release from the Army in 1948. He then transitioned to a political career, winning a seat in the Ontario Legislature as a Conservative member for Durham County, a position he held until 1959. In 1964, he returned to the RHLI as its Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel, a role he held until 1973.

In 1982, the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Cobourg was named in his honor. Foote lived in Cobourg with his wife, Edith, until his death on May 2, 1988. He was buried in Cobourg’s Union Cemetery. In September 1990, the James Street Armoury in Hamilton, home of the RHLI, was renamed the Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote, VC, CD Armouries in his memory. His medals are now on permanent display at the RHLI Museum.