Henry Thomas Shepherd was a remarkable individual. A veteran of both world wars, Henry made history when he became Canada’s first Black Regimental Sergeant Major in 1935. Besides his military achievements, Henry continues to be remembered as a role model and a pillar of the Georgetown community.
Family and early life
To better understand Henry Shepherd’s life, it is important to first look at a history of the Shepherd family. Henry Thomas’s father John Henry Shepherd came to Canada sometime in the 1850s as a young child with his mother. Mrs. Shepherd was a freedom seeker from the United States, who escaped to Canada via the Underground Railroad. The Shepherd family settled in Georgetown, Ontario and lived in a small cabin in what is now the Georgetown Fairgrounds. Mrs. Shepherd worked as the housekeeper for Colonel John Murray. Murray was the postmaster of Stewarttown, Ontario and was also an officer with the 20th Halton Battalion, which years later, would play an important role in Henry Thomas’s life. John would join his mother on the walk along the railroad tracks to and from the Murray farm every day.
Records suggest that Mrs. Shepherd passed away sometime before 1871. Before her death, she made provisions with Colonel Murray that if anything should happen to her, he would look after young John until he was old enough to provide for himself. After his mother’s death, John moved to the Murray Farm and worked there as a labourer. It was at the farm that he met Sarah Hartley. Sarah came to Canada in 1886 at the age of 16. She came as one of over 100,000 British Home Children sent to Canada between 1869 and 1939. The two were married in 1887 and had six children, including Henry Thomas Shepherd (their second youngest).
Henry Thomas Shepherd was born on August 18, 1895. As a young child, he went to school in both Stewarttown and Georgetown. In 1911, Henry joined the Halton Rifles (formally the 20th Halton Battalion). After finishing school, he eventually acquired a job at the Coated Paper Mill, where his father also worked.
Henry at war
When the First World War broke out in 1914, Canadians across the country joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force to fight overseas. Of the approximately 1300 Black Canadians who enlisted, only 500 of them, including Henry, served in non-segregated battalions. To learn more about Henry’s experiences in the war, explore the following map.
Henry was not the only Shepherd to fight in the First World War. His younger brother John served with the 123rd battalion. He was wounded while fighting in France in 1917 but survived the war. After coming home, he became a volunteer fire fighter and a member of the local citizen band. He also worked with the Veterans Guard during the Second World War.
Between the wars
Upon returning, Henry went back to working at the Coated Paper Mill. In 1923, he married Susanna Maude Cox. Susanna Maude worked at a local glove factory with Henry’s sisters, and it was through Henry’s sisters that the pair met. Together, Henry and Susanna Maude raised a family of eight children.
Henry continued to be an active member of the local military community. In fact, he reenlisted with the Halton Rifles upon returning home. In 1928 he helped to create the Georgetown Legion and, on many occasions, served as the parade marshal for Georgetown’s Remembrance Day parade. Henry’s skill as a soldier and leader did not go unnoticed by his regiment. Henry became Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) in 1935. This was a historical moment, as it was the first time in Canadian history that a Black person held this position. A year later the Halton Rifles amalgamated with the Peel and Dufferin regiment to become the Lorne Scots. Henry continued serving as RSM with the Lorne Scots until 1939. To learn more about Henry’s life between the wars, explore the map below.
Second World War
When war broke out in 1939, Henry wanted to again help his country. However, due to the injuries that he sustained in the First World War, he could not serve overseas. Instead, he worked as part of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in Ontario. After training at the Toronto Armories, he was sent to Newmarket as a Company Sergeant Major (CSM). As a CSM, he helped to train the 1000 recruits that would enter the camp every month. Henry became one of the most well liked and well-respected soldiers at the camp.
In March 1943, after the Newmarket camp closed, Henry was transferred to Prisoner of War Camp # 23 located in Monteith, Ontario. He was assigned as the Deputy Fire Marshall for all Ontario military camps. One of the most notable fires that Henry faced while at Monteith occurred in December 1943. According to the official military citation of the event:
“In the early hours of the morning of 15 December 1943 fire broke out in the centre of the Battalion Orderly Room of No. 2 District Company, The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. This Warrant Officer, as Fire Chief, was in instant action and showed great courage, resourcefulness and presence of mind in spite of sub-zero weather, in a wind of gale proportions, with his clothing soaked with water, he ably directed the firefighters and in spite of heavy smoke showed great courage in breaking into and entering the burning building directing the water on the centre of the fire which was quickly under control saving adjoining buildings and valuable records in the building itself. He set a fine example and showed cool courageous leadership.”
For his leadership and bravery that day, Henry was appointed a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) and was included on the King’s Birthday Honours list for his service in June 1944. Shortly after, the Georgetown legion presented him with the Certificate of Merit.
Henry’s legacy
Henry Shepherd passed away on July 24, 1960, at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Today, over 60 years after his passing, Henry’s impact can still be seen in his community. Explore the following map to look at some of the ways Henry’s legacy continues in his hometown.
Henry Thomas Shepherd made a lasting impression on many individuals. His courage and leadership during both wartime and peacetime continue to inspire those in Georgetown and beyond.
Article written by Anthony Badame for Honouring Bravery.
To learn more, visit the Halton Pubic Library’s virtual gallery on Henry Thomas Shepherd.
Honouring Bravery would like to give special thanks to Kathy Brooks, Craig Brooks and Jacqueline Wootton for taking the time to share their family’s stories and records with our team.
