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Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation’s Heritage Award
After several years of research and preparations, Sam McBride's biography of his great-uncle, Frederic Thornton "Fritz" Peters, VC, DSO, DSC and bar, DSC (U.S.), titled "The Bravest Canadian -- Fritz Peters, VC: the Making of a Two-war Hero" is out in the hands of the reading public. This week, Sam, a Trail, BC resident, heard that he won the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation's Heritage Award. He will be in Charlottetown, PEI, to accept the award on February 19th.
"I am thrilled that the Board of Governors of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Board have honoured me with a Heritage Award in recognition of my book The Bravest Canadian -- Fritz Peters, VC: The Making of a Hero of Two World War. It has been my great pleasure to write the first full-scale biography of Frederic Thornton ''Fritz'' Peters, based largely on a recently-discovered collection of family letters. The book has drawn strong interest across Canada and abroad, especially in Prince Edward Island, where Fritz is revered as the only P.E.I.-born recipient of the Victoria Cross." says McBride.
Fritz Peters came from a long line of prominent Islanders, going back to original proprietor George Burns and United Empire Loyalist Robert Gray, whose son Col. John Hamilton Gray (Fritz's grandfather) served as host and chairman of the Charlottetown Conference of 1864. Fritz's father Fred Peters and his uncle Arthur Peters both served as premier of the province. As Canada's most decorated naval hero, Fritz lived up to the traditions of his ancestors, and has a special place in P.E.I. history.''
"The Bravest Canadian -- Fritz Peters, VC: the Making of a Two-war Hero" is the story of mysterious Canadian war hero Capt. F.T. "Fritz"; Peters, VC, DSO, DSC and bar, DSC (U.S.), RN is told, based on more than 100 recently-discovered letters from and about him. He came from a prominent Maritime family with strong connections to British and Canadian history, including United Empire Loyalist leaders, military heroes, a premier of Prince Edward Island, a Father of Confederation, and shipping magnate Sir Samuel Cunard. After distinguishing himself with multiple medals for valour as a destroyer officer and commander in the First World War, Peters - who was born in Charlottetown, P.E.I. and later lived in Victoria, B.C. - returned to service at the outbreak of the Second World War, alternating between the Royal Navy and Britain's Secret Intelligence Service. His extraordinary courage and cool demeanor in leading an attack to capture the Vichy French-held harbour of Oran, Algeria in the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942 was recognized with the Victoria Cross and the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross - the highest award offered by the U.S. to a non-American.
"I am thrilled that the Board of Governors of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Board have honoured me with a Heritage Award in recognition of my book The Bravest Canadian -- Fritz Peters, VC: The Making of a Hero of Two World War. It has been my great pleasure to write the first full-scale biography of Frederic Thornton ''Fritz'' Peters, based largely on a recently-discovered collection of family letters. The book has drawn strong interest across Canada and abroad, especially in Prince Edward Island, where Fritz is revered as the only P.E.I.-born recipient of the Victoria Cross." says McBride.
Fritz Peters came from a long line of prominent Islanders, going back to original proprietor George Burns and United Empire Loyalist Robert Gray, whose son Col. John Hamilton Gray (Fritz's grandfather) served as host and chairman of the Charlottetown Conference of 1864. Fritz's father Fred Peters and his uncle Arthur Peters both served as premier of the province. As Canada's most decorated naval hero, Fritz lived up to the traditions of his ancestors, and has a special place in P.E.I. history.''
"The Bravest Canadian -- Fritz Peters, VC: the Making of a Two-war Hero" is the story of mysterious Canadian war hero Capt. F.T. "Fritz"; Peters, VC, DSO, DSC and bar, DSC (U.S.), RN is told, based on more than 100 recently-discovered letters from and about him. He came from a prominent Maritime family with strong connections to British and Canadian history, including United Empire Loyalist leaders, military heroes, a premier of Prince Edward Island, a Father of Confederation, and shipping magnate Sir Samuel Cunard. After distinguishing himself with multiple medals for valour as a destroyer officer and commander in the First World War, Peters - who was born in Charlottetown, P.E.I. and later lived in Victoria, B.C. - returned to service at the outbreak of the Second World War, alternating between the Royal Navy and Britain's Secret Intelligence Service. His extraordinary courage and cool demeanor in leading an attack to capture the Vichy French-held harbour of Oran, Algeria in the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942 was recognized with the Victoria Cross and the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross - the highest award offered by the U.S. to a non-American.
Submitted on February 6, 2013 in By David.
