Our Heroes

George Grant Pirie was born on August 14, 1914, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. During the Second World War, he served with distinction as an officer in the Royal Canadian Artillery, stationed in Halifax as part of harbour defence. As the war progressed, George took on a new and critical responsibility: establishing prisoner-of-war camps throughout the Maritimes and Eastern Canada, as well as overseeing the processing of prisoners arriving in Canada.

At the war’s end, he spent a year in England coordinating the return of personnel and equipment from the European theatre. After completing this service, George left the Army with the rank of Captain. Just over a year later, however, his expertise was called upon once again. Drawing on his experience with POW operations, he joined the senior team tasked with establishing CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick.

George retired from the Army for the second and final time in 1959, holding the rank of Major. He passed away in 1989, leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership, and dedication to Canada.