Dale Mountjoy

Samuel Sharpe was a Member of Parliament who led men into battle at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70 and Passchendaele. But when he came home, the war never left him and he ended his life. It took over a century for Parliament to recognize his sacrifice. This is his story. Samuel Sharpe was born in Zephyr, Ontario (now Uxbridge) on March 13, 1873. When he was 16, he joined a local militia infantry unit. He then earned a law degree from Osgoode Hall in 1895 and began a law career. In 1908, he was elected to Parliament as a Conservative. In 1911, he was considered for the post of Minister of Militia and Defence but Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden chose Sam Hughes instead. Hughes and Sharpe rarely got along due to Hughes' antagonistic personality and often disagreed over militia policies. When the First World War began, Sharpe was not selected to command any military unit despite his experience. Sharpe believed this was because Hughes did not like him. Eventually in November 1915, Sharpe was given command of the 116th (Ontario County) Battalion. Sharpe was promoted to Lt. Colonel and personally recruited many members of the battalion, including friends and family. The battalion reached France on Feb. 11, 1917. Under Sharpe, his men fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Battle of Hill 70 and at Passchendaele. On Nov. 7, 1917, Sharpe was mentioned in Despatches. In December, he was sent to Britain for senior officer training and was replaced as commander of his battalion. In January 1918, King George V presented him with the Distinguished Service Order. At this time, Sharpe was suffering guilt for having led so many to their deaths in battle, including his friends and relatives. The battles he saw had a severe effect on him and he was admitted to the Canadian Convalescence Hospital in Buxton, England. In May 1918, he was sent back to Canada and admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. At the time, he was diagnosed with shell shock, what we call PTSD today. On May 25, 1918, he jumped out a fourth-floor window at the hospital to end his life. George Harold Baker was another Member of Parliament who died fighting in the First World War. In 1924, a bronze memorial statue was unveiled in the House of Commons foyer in the Centre Block. No such honours were given to Sharpe and his story was mostly forgotten. In 2012, MP Erin O'Toole and Senator Romeo Dallaire held the first Lt. Col. Sam Sharpe Veterans Mental Health breakfast. In 2018, a bronze plaque that included the likeness of Sharpe, made by sculptor Tyler Briley, was unveiled in the Centre Block of Parliament. The Durham Regional Courthouse was renamed for him in 2019. A statue of Sharpe now stands in Uxbridge. The left foot of Sharpe is above the ground, signifying he died in battle. Learn more in my Deep Dive 👇 buff.ly/vQqQEMX I hope you found the story of Samuel Sharpe interesting. If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at 👇 buff.ly/Mth8tya Sources: Canadian Encyclopedia: buff.ly/PmbFJZY Veterans Affairs: buff.ly/Sqc9XFC Uxbridge Historical Centre: buff.ly/gUa79O7 Durham Region: buff.ly/BxmlvRx