Frederick Albert Tilston Frederick Albert Tilston , VC ( June 11 , 1906 – September 23 , 1992 ) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces . Early life . Tilston attended De La Salle College " Oaklands " , an all - boys military prep school in Toronto , Ontario and was a graduate of the University Of Toronto and the Ontario College of Pharmacy . Military service . Tilston served in The Essex Scottish Regiment in an administrative role . By early 1945 , he held the rank of acting Major . During the Battle of the Rhineland , he volunteered to go forward and lead an infantry company in an attack on German positions in the Hochwald Forest just west of the Rhine River . On 1 March 1945 , near Uedem , Germany , he led " C " Company in a 500 yard attack across muddy terrain soaked by recent rain and snow , through barbed wire and enemy automatic weapons fire . After being slightly wounded by shell fragments in the head , he personally destroyed one enemy machine gun position with a hand grenade , and led the men of C company on to a second German line of resistance when he was wounded for the second time in the hip . He struggled to his feet and led his men forward where the Essex Scottish overran the enemy positions with rifle butts , bayonets and knives in close hand to hand combat . While consolidating the Canadian position against German counterattacks and on his 6th trip from a neighbouring unit bringing ammunition and grenades to his company , which had been depleted to about 25 % of its usual strength or 40 men , Tilston was wounded for the 3rd time in the leg . He was found almost unconscious in a shell hole and refused medical attention while he organized his men for defence against German counter - attacks , emphasized the necessity of holding the position at all cost , and ordered his one remaining officer to take command . For conspicuous gallantry and steadfast determination in the face of battle , Tilston was awarded the Victoria Cross . In 1945 Tilson who joined The War Amps Association ( a non - profit organization of " amputees helping amputees " ( War Amps ) in 1945 . He also returned to his former place of business as vice - president in charge of pharmaceutical sales . He resided in Toronto , Ontario until his death on the 23rd of September 1992 . Further information . Grave / memorial at Buried at Mount Hope Cemetery , Erskine Avenue , Toronto , Canada . R . C . Section . Plot 23 - NW Corner . Headstone . Medal . Tiltson ' s Victoria Cross is currently held by the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto . Honours . Even into retirement Tilston was active throughout York County where a number of honours and memorials bear his name : A joint training facility for the Essex Kent Scottish Regiment and the Windsor Police Service at 4007 Sandwich Street , Windsor , Ontario , is a first - of - its - kind in Canada partnership with the federal government Department of National Defense ( DND ) . In recognition of his service to the Essex Kent Scottish Regiment , the training centre is named the Major F Tilston Armoury and Police Training Centre . At the Toronto Scottish Regiment Armoury in Toronto , Canada .