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.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Ontario Plaques. Full page here.