Peck Family Cemetery in Riverside-Albert from the Dawne McLean Collection
Happy Victoria Day! Countless Canadians have shown great courage on the battlefield, but only the bravest have received the Victoria Cross. This impressive medal – the highest award for military gallantry that a Canadian can receive – was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 and some 100 Canadians have been awarded one since then. Did you know a Victoria Cross recipient was born and raised in Hopewell Hill? L.COL Cyrus Wesley Peck was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on September 2, 1918. The photo shows the Peck family cemetery in Riverside-Albert, the Fence surrounding the cemetery was erected by Lt. Col. Cy Peck in the 1930s.
LCOL CYRUS WESLEY PECK:
Cyrus Wesley Peck was born in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, on April 26, 1871, and was educated at Hopewell Hill Superior School. In June 1887, at the age of 16, he and his family moved to New Westminster, British Columbia, then later to Skeena, BC.
As a young man, he pioneered in the Klondike, and set himself up as a broker in salmon canning, sawmills and towing operations. He was also an elected Unionist Member of Parliament for the Skeena riding. As a member of the militia, Peck was given a captain's commission and attached to the 30th Battalion, with which he sailed to England. In April 1915, he was promoted to major and later transferred to the 16th Battalion, Canadian Scottish. He was wounded in both legs during fighting around the town of Festubert, France, May 21, 1915. In January 1916, he was given command of the regiment.
In addition to the Victoria Cross, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) twice and Mentioned in Dispatches five times. In 1917, while he was overseas, he was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Skeena in British Columbia.