Plaque commémorative de John Weir Foote V.C.

JOHN WEIR FOOTE, V.C. 1904-1988

The only chaplain in World War II to receive the Victoria
Cross, Foote was born and raised in Madoc. He entered the
Presbyterian ministry in 1934 and enlisted in the Canadian
Chaplain Service five years later. Assigned to the Royal
Hamilton Light Infantry, Foote distinguished himself during
the ill-fated Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942. Acting "with
utter disregard for his personal safety", he ministered to
the wounded and carried injured personnel from exposed
positions on the beach to first aid posts and landing craft,
all while under heavy enemy fire.Ultimately he was taken
prisoner because he refused to abandon those who could not
be evacuated. For his courageous actions he was awarded
the Victoria Cross, the British commonwealth's highest
military decoration for valour.

Erected by the Ontairo Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Communications.