Vokes, Christopher “Chris”, born 13-04-1904 in Armagh, County Armagh, Northern Ireland 
to British Major Frederick Patrick Vokes 
and his wife Elizabeth Vokes. The Vokes family left for Canada in 1910. Major Frederick became an engineer officer at the Royal Military College of Canada. 
The family lived in Married Quarters on Ridout Row, Royal Military College of Canada. Between 1921 and 1925 Vokes attended the Royal Military College of Canada and was assigned to the Royal Canadian Engineers. He studied at McGill University 
between 1926 and 1927 and received a Bachelor of Science degree and was also a member of The Kappa Alpha Order. 
Between 1934 and 1935 he attended the Staff College in Camberley.
Starting in 1939, Vokes rapidly rose through the ranks of the Canadian General Staff. With the 1st Infantry Division, 
under command of Major General Andrew Georg Latta McNaughton
he served as Adjutant General, Assistant Quartermaster General, General Staff Officer, grade 1, and as Officer Commanding the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. 
Princess Patricia of Connaught, was widely known for her support of the wilderness and people of Canada. Vokes proved to be an outstanding operation officer and on 24-06-1942, was promoted to Brigadier, in charge of the 2nd Infantry Brigade. 
It was under Vokes that the 2nd Infantry Brigade landed in Pachino on 10-07-1943, and started its march through Sicily’s rugged terrain. 
The Brigade crossed over to mainland Italy in September 1943. On November 1st of that year, Vokes was appointed commander of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, substitute of Lieutenant-General Guy Granville Simonds
and promoted to Major-General. Christofer took part in the bitter fighting leading to the capture of Ortona on 27-12-1943. A few months later, on 23-05-1944, the 1st Canadian Division, progressing along the Liri Valley, broke through the Adolf Hitler Line. Under Vokes’ command, the 1st Division stayed its northwards course and pierced the Gothic Line on 03-09-1944.
On 01-12-1944, Vokes, was given command of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division. 
substitute of Major General Harry Wickwire Foster CBE, DSO
Chris led his troops through the Battle of the Hochwald, in February-March 1945, then across the plains of northern Germany to the final victory. From June 1945 to May 1946, Vokes remained in Europe as General Officer Commanding the Canadian Army Occupation Force.
Back in Canada, General Vokes was put in charge of the Canadian Army’s Central Command and later of Western Command. He retired from the military in 1959 and, in 1985 published his memoirs, 
My Story. Autobiography of Canadian career soldier, one of the few Canadian Generals to emerge from WWII with a high reputation as an operational commander.
Death and burial ground of Vokes, Christopher “Chris”.
Christopher “Chris” Vokes who was married in 1932 to Constance Mary, born Waugh (1908–1969) died 27-03-1985, age 80, in Oakville, Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada and is buried at the St Jude’s Cemetery Oakville, Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada. Perceel Block 7, Lot 1 e½, Grave 2.
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