Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday (Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre) was today joined by Major John W. Dean of the Canadian Armed Forces and Marc Trouyet, Consul General of France, who presented the insignia of the Chevalier de la L=E9gion d’Honneur to William George (“George”) Carpenter, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran of the Second World War. Carpenter is currently a resident of Kipling Acres, one of 10 long-term care homes operated by the City of Toronto.
Carpenter has now been formally welcomed as a Knight to the French National Order of the Legion of Honour, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. Since 2014, the Government of France has been awarding its highest medal, the Legion of Honour, to veterans who participated in the liberation of France from June 6 to August 30, 1944.
Born and raised in Toronto, Carpenter enlisted with the Canadian Army in 1942 at age 18 and served for three years. He was with the Sixth Field Artillery, Second Division and was involved in the liberation of the town of Caen as well as participating in the Battle of the Falaise Gap.
In the present day, Carpenter is active in the Kipling Acres community and represents the interests of other Kipling Acres residents in his roles with the Residents’ Council and the Resident Summit. An accomplished musician, he performs music for residents at the home each Wednesday.
This year will mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion as part of the Battle of Normandy. D-Day, which took place on June 6, 1944, is an important date in Canadian and world history. The City of Toronto will mark the anniversary next month through events that include the annual D-Day ceremony at the Old City Hall Cenotaph on June 6.
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“The City of Toronto is proud to honour Mr. Carpenter today. On behalf of the City, I would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for your courage and bravery.”
– Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday (Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre)
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