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By Sheila Runions Banner StaffCloudesley PictonBrereton and wife Annie (nee Black) were living near Alexander when, on Nov. 13, 1892, their son Alex was bom at 35-10-21W (RM of Whitehead). The Brereton family moved to RM of Blanshard in 1894; his nephew Pic Brereton lives in Strathclair.Alexander Picton Brereton joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Januaiy 1916 and served with 8th Battalion,Winnipeg Rifles, nicknamed The Little Black Devils; he retired with the rank of company quartermaster sergeant. Brereton was one of 14 Manitobans awarded a Victoria Cross. Victoria Crosses were introduced by Queen Victoria on Jan. 29, 1856; she ordered them to honour heroes of the Crimean War. A total of 1,357 crosses have been presented since inception and only 14 since the end of the Second World War. Often abbreviated VC, a Victoria Cross is the highest military’ decoration given for ‘ valour and gallantry in the face of the enemy.”Brereton served in both World Wars; it was for his efforts on Aug. 9, 1918 that he was presented the VC. Then 25 years of age. a machine gun attack fired on his platoon east of Amiens, France. In an exposed position with no cover, Cpl. Brereton realized that unless something was done, his platoon w ould be annihilated. He immediately ran forward to reach one of the enemy machine gun posts. He shot the gunman and then bayoneted the next one who attempted to operate it, whereupon nine other enemy gunmen surrendered. His action inspired his platoon to charge and capture theBrereton spent most of his adult life in Alberta where he farmed; he died Jan. 10, 1976 and is buried at Elnora Cemetery in Alberta. His medals are displayed at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum in London, England. His Rifles infantry' jacket, with buttons that plainly read The Little Black Devils, is displayed at a museum in Elnora, which is named after him. On Nov. 8, 2013, he was one of the final four Manitoban VC recipients to have a lake named after him. Situated 100 kilometres southeast of Thompson, a commemorative certificate forAlexander Brereton Lake will Alexander Picton Brereton be sent to hjs famjiy.“As we reflect on the sacrifices made during the past century by tens of thousands of men and women from throughout Canada, it is absolutely essential their contributions be remembered,” said Premier Greg Selinger. “The lakes named today will ensure these brave men will never be forgotten.”The province has been naming lakes for decades and there are still plenty left unnamed.five remaining machine gun posts.FARMC WflWTPntrivij9nightNOV. 227 P.Riverdale Community Centre, curling club lounge8/table ~ $ 10/personEnter as an individual or team; dress as a team. For more information, phone 204-328-7220.
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Rivers Banner
Rivers, Manitoba, CA
Fri, Nov 15, 2013
Page 2
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CA 16 Apr 2018
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