Counsell, John Gibbons

Date of birth:: 1911
Date of death:: 1965
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

John Gibbons Councell was born in 1911 as son to John Leith Counsell.
After the war John Counsell became founder and 1st President of the Canada Paraplegic Association.

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment).
Awarded on:: October 2nd, 1942

Citation:
"During the Dieppe action, 19 August 1942, Lieutenant Counsell [of the RHLI] was assistant to Major McLeod, the officer in charge of beach organization.
After landing on the beach in front of the town, he observed that the tanks were having difficulty in climbing the shale, and despite the very heavy artillery and machine gun fire which was sweeping the beach, he directed and assisted in the placing of palings to assist the tanks in getting forward.
Lieutenant Counsell displayed great coolness and courage throughout. After being severely wounded, he continued to set and example which inspired all the other members of his party."

London Gazette, October 2nd, 1942

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Awarded on:: July 1st, 1946

London Gazette, July 1st, 1946

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Officer of the Order of Canada

Awarded on:: 1972

Member of the Order of Canada

Awarded on:: 1967

Narrative:
"A paraplegic through wounds received at Dieppe, he devoted himself to the welfare and rehabilitation of others with similar disabilities."

Sources

- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35729 published on the 2 October 1942
- Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
- Ryan Gingras