Frederick Oscar Warren Loomis

Sir Frederick Oscar Warren Loomis KCB CMG DSO (February 1, 1870 – February 15, 1937) was a Canadian soldier who fought in the First World War.

Frederick Loomis
Born	February 1, 1870 Sherbrooke, Quebec
Died	February 15, 1937 (aged 67) Montreal, Quebec
Allegiance	Canada
Service/branch	Canadian Army
Commands held	3rd Canadian Division
Battles/wars	First World War
Awards	Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Companion of the Distinguished Service Order

He enlisted as a private in the Canadian Militia in 1886 and served there until retiring in 1919. During the war, he was given command of the Royal Highlanders of Canada and later led the 3rd Canadian Division during the last two months of the First World War as a major-general.[1]

At the outbreak of war in August 1914 he enlisted for service at the front lines and was given command of the 13th Canadian Infantry Battalion RHC with rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was promoted to rank of Colonel in January 1916 and given command of training the brigade in England. Returning to France with the rank of Brigadier General he commanded 2nd infantry Brigade fighting battles at Ypres Salient, Somme, Vimy Ridge, Arlleux, Hill 70, and Passohendale during 1916 and 1917. In 1918 he was engaged in battles at Amiens and Arras.[2] He was promoted to Major General[3] and given command of the Third Canadian Division In September 1918 leading them to Cambral and succeeding battles culminating in the capture of Mons.[2]

He was knighted by George V in 1919 for his service during the war.[1]

On November 11, 2018, the hundredth anniversary of the Armistice, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, with bagpipes and drums playing, marched through the streets of Mons to the building that was Major-General Frederick Loomis’ headquarters during the First World War. There a ceremony was held for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating this building as the HQ of the 3rd CDN Division.[4]

He is portrayed in a painting in the Canadian Senate Chamber leading the Royal Highlanders of Canada (Canadian Expeditionary Force) into Saint-Nazaire in 1915.

Print from painting hanging in the Canadian Senate Chamber by Edgar Bundy titled Landing of the First Canadian Division at Saint-Nazaire, 1915.

Mount Loomis on the Alberta/British Columbia border is named after him.[5]

References

1. Who's Who in Canada. 1912. p. 149. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
2. Nicholson, Gerald W. L. (1981). Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919: Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War (PDF). QUEEN'S PRINTER. pp. 62, 67, 177, 453, 458, 542. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
3. 3rd Canadian Division page at canadiansoldiers.com
4. "Return to MONS". mons2018.blackwatchcanada. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
5. Boles, Glen W.; Putnam, William Lowell; Laurilla, Roger W. (2006). Canadian Mountain Place Names: The Rockies and Columbia Mountains. Rocky Mountain Books. p. 154. Retrieved 15 February 2016.

See also

• List of Bishop's College School alumni