Vokes, Christopher (Chris)

Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:: April 13th, 1904 (Armagh/Armagh, Northern Ireland)
Date of death:: March 27th, 1985 (Oakville/Ontario, Canada)
Service number:: ZP2231
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Born in Armagh, Ireland, Christopher Vokes moved to Canada in 1910 with his family. His father, a British Army engineer, served at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), where the family lived. Vokes’s brother, Frederick, also served with distinction but was killed in Italy in 1944.

Vokes graduated from RMC in 1925 and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers. He earned a science degree from McGill University and later trained at Staff College in Camberley, England. During the Depression, he oversaw infrastructure projects at military camps like Dundurn, leaving behind signed engineering plans.

With the outbreak of war in 1939, Vokes rose swiftly through the Canadian General Staff. He held several senior roles in the 1st Canadian Infantry Division before commanding the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade during the 1943 invasion of Sicily and the Italian campaign. His leadership was praised for balancing tactical skill with strong personal command.

Promoted to major-general in late 1943, Vokes led the 1st Canadian Division through brutal fighting, including the Battle of Ortona. His reliance on frontal assaults drew criticism and earned him the nickname “The Butcher” among troops. The division suffered heavy losses—over 2,300 casualties in Ortona alone.

He continued leading through the Gothic Line battles, but tensions with corps commanders led to a transfer in December 1944. Vokes took command of the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division, which later fought in Northwest Europe.

After the death of Lt. Col. Frederick Wigle during the capture of Friesoythe, Vokes ordered the town razed in retaliation. Though some troops had already begun burning buildings, the destruction became systematic under his command. Flamethrowers were used, and rubble repurposed for tank roads. German estimates suggest 85–90% of the town was destroyed. Vokes later stated he felt no remorse.

From 1945 to 1946, Vokes led the Canadian Army Occupation Force in Europe. He later commanded Central and Western Commands in Canada before retiring in 1959. His memoir, My Story, was published in 1985—the year of his death from cancer at age 80.

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Brigadier
Unit:: Commanding Officer, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army
Awarded on:: September 23rd, 1943
Awarded for:: Operation Husky

"During the hard fought struggle for LEONFORTE 21/22 Jul 43, a company of one of the units under Brigader Vokes' command became completely disorganized as a result of heavy enemy gun and mortar fire, which in addition set the crops in the company position ablaze. Brigadier Vokes was up with the battalion and displaying remarkable coolness and leadership personally reorganized the position with complete disregard for his own safety although under observed enemy fire. The forceful drive and aggressive spirit of Brigadier Vokes was a tremendous inspiration to his men and resulted in the final capture and clearance of the strong enemy positions at LEONFORTE inflicting heavy casualties to the enemy.

Brigadier Vokes has commanded 2 Cdn Inf Bde during the present operations with skill and determination, visiting and encouraging the foremost troops under fire."

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major-General
Unit:: Commanding Officer, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army
Awarded on:: September 21st, 1944

“By his gallant and distinguished service in command of 4 Canadian Armoured Division, Maj Gen Vokes has made an effective contribution to the success of the operations in NW Europe.

During the rapid advance through Holland and Germany and the previous operations to clear German territory to the RHINE, 4 Cdn Armd Div under Maj Gen Vokes’ command made a most important contribution to the success under conditions most difficult for armour. Due largely to his able and vigorous direction, the advance and pursuit were pressed to a decisive conclusion in spite of very great physical difficulties.

Throughout the campaign both in NW Europe and Italy, Maj Gen Vokes has established an outstanding record of military achievement by the aggressive and efficient manner in which he has controlled and administered the formations under his command.”

Officier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major-general
Awarded on:: December 6th, 1944

Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major-general
Awarded on:: December 6th, 1944

With palm

Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major-general
Awarded on:: May 26th, 1945

Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB, Military Division)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major-General
Unit:: Commanding Officer, 4th Canadian Armoured Division, Canadian Army
Awarded on:: July 5th, 1945

"By his gallant and distinguished service in command of 4 Canadian Armoured Division Maj Gen VOKES has made an effective contribution to the success of the operations in NW Europe.

During the rapid advance through Holland and Germany and the previous operations to clear German territory to the RHINE 4 Cdn Armd Div under aj Gen Vokes command made a most important contribution to the success under conditions most difficult for armour. Due largely to his able and vigorous direcion, the advance and pursuit were pressed to a decisive conclusion in spite of very great physical difficulties.

Throughout the campaign both in NW Europe and Italy Maj Gen Vokes has established an outstanding record of military achievement by the aggressive and efficient manner in which h has controlled and administered the formation under his command."

Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB, Military Division)

Arisition Andrias - Silver Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major-General
Unit:: Commanding Officer, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army
Awarded on:: August 2nd, 1945

"ADMS, as well as from the Cmdr of the adjoining 5 NZ Bds and his BM.

The Div Cmdr calls on Bde daily.

Undoubtedly this new task given to Bde, which had lost 25% of its original fighting men, was hard the care of all for our success was apparent.

2 NZ Div, in agreement with 1 Cdn Corps, did *** & give us in support all the necessary arms.

Due to this all round assistance in spite of the weariness and existing drawbacks the Bde was able to carry out successfully its task, capturing BELLARIA and crossing the RUBICONE.

The above are examples of the contribution of our Cmdrs of these Bde's war efforts and therefore as the emissary of Prime Minister and Minister of War and of yourself General, I submit for our consideration the suggestion that the "Aristion Adrias" (Order of Valour) should be awarded to:-

Maj-Gen C. VOKES, CBE, DSo,
GOC 1 Cdn Div."