From war hero to doctor

At 102 years old, Second World War veteran Sir George Beardshaw continues to add remarkable achievements to an already extraordinary life.  

On June 9, Beardshaw received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Wilfrid Laurier University.

What made the occasion even more special was having his family in the audience to share in the moment. He was one of six distinguished community leaders recognized for their professional achievements and contributions.

“I would like to say thank Laurier University for this amazing honour,” an emotional Beardshaw told the crowd. “I am overwhelmed to be acknowledged in such a wonderful way. This is definitely the most treasured honour to receive at 102 years of age. Thank you all sincerely. Oh bless you all.”  

For the war hero, the honour is the latest recognition in a long life defined by resilience, service and perseverance.  

A resident at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute in the Veterans Care Program, the veteran has already been awarded with the Legion of Honour medal – the highest award given by the French government. It gave him the rank of Knight of the French Legion of Honour.

But his story of resilience began long before the war.

Born in Yorkshire, England in 1923, he was one of 100,000 migrant children sent to Canada in the early 1930s, as part of the British Home Children program, where he worked as a teenager at a farm near Lindsay, Ontario. Children in the program generally came from disadvantaged backgrounds – some were orphans while others were in families in financial trouble.  

When the war broke out, George enlisted in the Canadian Army with the Queen’s Own Rifles. He landed on Juno Beach after D-Day, fought in Normandy and was later captured and was a prisoner of war for 28 days.

After the war, he returned to London, Ontario and is now believed to be the last surviving member of the British Home Children in Canada.  

“In the 80 years since the end of the Second World War, George has been a proud member of Canada’s veteran community and a dedicated advocate for the recognition of the lived experiences of British home children in this country,” said Kelly Morrison, PhD. candidate in the History Department who read the citation. “George’s life story is one of resilience, bravery and service.”

For an individual whose life spanned continents and a century, his honorary doctorate is just another milestone – in an extraordinary life filled with emotional moments.

The citation for George Beardshaw starts at 2:00:00.