Wall of Honour—Trumbull Warren
Lieutenant Colonel Trumbull Warren volunteered for overseas duty when the Second World War began and embarked for England in December 1939 as an officer of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. He was the consummate diplomat; as the writer and journalist Gregory Clark noted, “He speaks English, Canadian and American.”
"Trum" as he was called, became an aide-de-camp to General (later Field Marshall) Sir Bernard Montgomery of the British Army in 1941, and served with him in England, North Africa and Sicily, at which point he was then appointed Liaison Officer between the British 8th Army and the 1st Canadian Division for the Italian campaign. Montgomery formed a genuine affection for Warren, at one point writing to him, I often wish you were my son, and it proved to be a highly effective relationship at the highest level of war-time leadership.
On May 3, 1945, Warren personally escorted four senior German officers, including the Commander-in-Chief of the German fleet and the Chief of Staff of the army, through the British lines to meet Montgomery. After later convincing Field Marshall Kietel that Germany was defeated, they returned the following day, once again with Warren as their escort. Immaculately attired in full dress uniforms with medals, gold braid and silk gloves, they were made to wait 20 minutes before Monty appeared, a little man of 5’8”, wearing old corduroy trousers washed so many times that they were almost white, a turtleneck sweater, black beret, and no rank insignia or medals. The historic document, the unconditional surrender of German forces in that theatre of the war, was then signed in this incongruous setting, witnessed by only Warren and one other aide.
Among other awards, Warren would be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire and receive the U.S. Bronze Star. He would go on to be President of Rheem of Canada, a director of Argus and other corporations, President of the Royal Winter Fair, and Honourary Colonel of the 48th Highlanders.
Wall of Honour Members
1994 : David Harlock '89
1995 : Neil Lumsden '71
1995 : George Harris Hees '22
1996 : Charles Dalton '24
1996 : Thomas Symons '41
1998 : Chris Beck '87
1999 : Brad Crombie '88
2000 : Rob Coleman '83
2004 : Evan Solomon '87
2005 : Trumbull Warren '24
2005 : Ian Johnston '19
2005 : Peter O'Brian '28