François-Louis Lessard

He served in local militia units before joining the Quebec Garrison Artillery (1880). As a lieutenant in the Cavalry School Corps he served during the North-West Rebellion. Promoted lieutenant-colonel to command the Corps (1899), he volunteered for service in the South African War, and eventually commanded the 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles (Royal Canadian Dragoons).

Though promoted to major-general in 1912, he was prevented by Sam Hughes, minister of militia and defence, from getting command overseas at the outbreak of First World War. Appointed inspector general for eastern Canada, December 1914, he commanded the Halifax Fortress. In March 1918 he was called upon to restore order in Québec City following anti-conscription riots. After retiring (1919) near Toronto, he often served as judge at horse shows in Canada and the US.