William Smith Ziegler
Encyclopedia
William Smith Ziegler CBE
, DSO
, ED
(Calgary
, 5 April 1911-1999) was a Canadian
General officer active in World War II
.
Ziegler was born in Calgary
, Alberta
. His mother took him to Edmonton after the death of his father in 1925. He went to Strathcona High School in Edmonton
.
In 1926 he joined the Non-Permanent Active Militia
and worked his way up through the ranks. In 1932 he became an officer in the Militia.
He died in 1999 in Edmonton, after a short illness.
. From January 1940, he served as captain
of the 61st Field Regiment in the United Kingdom. Later he was promoted to major
and was attached to the Royal Artillery
units of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
in Canada.
In 1942 Ziegler was sent to the Camberley Staff College. After graduating he joined the staff of the First Canadian Army
in his new rank as lieutenant-colonel.
On 30 May 1943 he was appointed as commander of the 13th Field Regiment, 3th Division. During his time at the regiment, he trained his men in artillery tactics for the invasion of Europe that was expected soon.
In December 1943, while working at the Canadian Military Headquarters, he was promoted to colonel
. Already in February 1944, he was promoted to brigadier
. Ziegler accepted the appointment as Commander of the Royal Artillery component of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. Soon he joined his men in Italy
.
The First Division later left Italy and joined the rest of the First Canadian Army
in North-West Europe.
Ziegler served with the British Foreign Office (German Section) after the war had ended. He was appointed Deputy Commander of the Hannover Region, as part of the Control Commission for Germany. Later he was appointed Regional Administration Officer in Niedersachsen. He fulfilled this job until 1950.
, where he held several senior positions – the last one being "assistant vice-president". He moved to the Inland Cement and Genstar Limited. Here too he had several senior positions including executive vice president and chairman of the board. He stayed here until 1971 when he retired.
Ziegler also acted as Governor of the Arctic Institute of North America
of the University of Calgary
. This institute awarded him with a fellowship in 1976.
Beside his normal day jobs, he held several other positions:
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, ED
Canadian Efficiency Decoration
The Canadian Efficiency Decoration was a Canadian military award given to officers of the non-permanent active militia, RCAF Auxiliary and Reserve who completed twenty years of meritorious military service. Similar Efficiency Decorations were also awarded by other Commonwealth countries. A bar...
(Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, 5 April 1911-1999) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
General officer active in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Ziegler was born in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. His mother took him to Edmonton after the death of his father in 1925. He went to Strathcona High School in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
.
In 1926 he joined the Non-Permanent Active Militia
Non-Permanent Active Militia
The Non-Permanent Active Militia was the name of Canada's part-time volunteer military force from the time of Confederation to 1940. The NPAM was composed of several dozen infantry battalions and cavalry regiments...
and worked his way up through the ranks. In 1932 he became an officer in the Militia.
He died in 1999 in Edmonton, after a short illness.
Military career
In 1939, he was mobilized with the 1st Canadian Division1st Canadian Division
Formed in August 1914, the 1st Canadian Division was a formation of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The division was initially made up from provisional battalions that were named after their province of origin but these titles were dropped before the division arrived in Britain on October 14,...
. From January 1940, he served as captain
Captain (OF-2)
The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
of the 61st Field Regiment in the United Kingdom. Later he was promoted to major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
and was attached to the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
units of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
3rd Canadian Infantry Division
The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army from 1940 to c.1945.- History :The formation of the division was authorized on 17 May 1940...
in Canada.
In 1942 Ziegler was sent to the Camberley Staff College. After graduating he joined the staff of the First Canadian Army
First Canadian Army
The First Canadian Army was the senior Canadian operational formation in Europe during the Second World War.The Army was formed in early 1942, replacing the existing unnumbered Canadian Corps, as the growing number of Canadian forces in the United Kingdom necessitated an expansion to two corps...
in his new rank as lieutenant-colonel.
On 30 May 1943 he was appointed as commander of the 13th Field Regiment, 3th Division. During his time at the regiment, he trained his men in artillery tactics for the invasion of Europe that was expected soon.
In December 1943, while working at the Canadian Military Headquarters, he was promoted to colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. Already in February 1944, he was promoted to brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
. Ziegler accepted the appointment as Commander of the Royal Artillery component of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. Soon he joined his men in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
The First Division later left Italy and joined the rest of the First Canadian Army
First Canadian Army
The First Canadian Army was the senior Canadian operational formation in Europe during the Second World War.The Army was formed in early 1942, replacing the existing unnumbered Canadian Corps, as the growing number of Canadian forces in the United Kingdom necessitated an expansion to two corps...
in North-West Europe.
Ziegler served with the British Foreign Office (German Section) after the war had ended. He was appointed Deputy Commander of the Hannover Region, as part of the Control Commission for Germany. Later he was appointed Regional Administration Officer in Niedersachsen. He fulfilled this job until 1950.
After World War 2
Ziegler was in fact unemployed when he left the Army in 1950. He then joined Canadian National RailwayCanadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
, where he held several senior positions – the last one being "assistant vice-president". He moved to the Inland Cement and Genstar Limited. Here too he had several senior positions including executive vice president and chairman of the board. He stayed here until 1971 when he retired.
Ziegler also acted as Governor of the Arctic Institute of North America
Arctic Institute of North America
The Arctic Institute of North America is mandated to study the North American and circumpolar Arctic in the areas of natural science, social science, arts and the humanities. In addition, it acquires, preserves and disseminates information on environmental, physical, and social conditions in the...
of the University of Calgary
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
. This institute awarded him with a fellowship in 1976.
Beside his normal day jobs, he held several other positions:
- University of AlbertaUniversity of AlbertaThe University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
School of Commerce; advisor - Alberta Chamber of Resources; director
- Advisory Board of the Salvation ArmySalvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
; member - Alberta and Northwest Territories Council, the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Canada; member
Military senior officer positions held
| From | To | Unit | Role | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-05-1943 | 15-10-1943 | 13 Field Regiment RCA | Commanding Officer | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| 16-10-1943 | 03-03-1944 | Canadian Military HQ | Colonel General Staff | Colonel |
| 04-03-1944 | 23-08-1945 | 1 Canadian Infantry Division | Commander Royal Artillery | Brigadier |
| 26-10-1944 | 11-11-1944 | 1 Canadian Infantry Division | Acting General Officer Commanding | Brigadier |
Awards
- ?: Canadian Efficiency Decoration
- 1943: Distinguished Service Order
- 1945: Commander of the "Order of the British Empire"
- 1976: Fellowship "Arctic Institute of North America"
- 1976: "The Community Service Award", awarded by "The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta"
Trivia
- As part of the "Academic Excellence Scholarships", the University of AlbertaUniversity of AlbertaThe University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
every year awards a number of WS Ziegler Dean of Engineering Academic Excellence Scholarships. These scholarships are funded out of the legacy of the late Brigadier W.S. Ziegler. - During a meeting on 17 October 2007 the Naming Committee from the City of Edmonton agreed on a motion to name a street in the Griesbach areaGriesbach, EdmontonGriesbach is a residential neighbourhood in the Castledowns area of north west Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This neighbourhood was formerly a military base, part of CFB Edmonton...
after Brigadier Ziegler. - He was still in college when he was mobilized for the war, thus preventing him to fisish his study properly. He was given his degree in Civil EngineeringCivil engineeringCivil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
in 1996, at a special function from the University of AlbertaUniversity of AlbertaThe University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
's Faculty of Engineering.