WW2 - 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment - Colonel Curtis Alden Greenleaf, MC, CD (1916-1994) - CGG's last WW2 Wartime CO

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Musée Canadian Grenadier Guards Museum

Name/Title

WW2 - 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment - Colonel Curtis Alden Greenleaf, MC, CD (1916-1994) - CGG's last WW2 Wartime CO

Scope and Content

WW2 - 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment - Colonel Curtis Alden Greenleaf, MC, CD (1916-1994) - CGG's last WW2 Wartime CO Born in Montreal in 1916, Curtis Alden Greenleaf gave up a new job as a banker when he joined the Canadian Grenadier Guards in September 1939. He secured a commission when the unit mobilized for active service in June 1940. He went overseas with an advance party in May 1942 and became adjutant a year later. He was the only original officer to serve throughout the Northwest Europe campaign and earned the Military Cross for “personal courage and unshakable determination.” When Major E.A.C. Amy took over from the wounded Lieutenant-Colonel H.A. Smith in February 1945, Greenleaf rose to second-in-command. After VE-Day, Amy was recalled to Canada, and Greenleaf became the final wartime commanding officer of the Grenadier Guards. The unit newspaper, The ‘52 Natural, reported: “‘It couldn’t have been better,’ that’s great, he started with us, fought all the war through and its no more than right he should be the one to take us home,’ ‘fine show,’ a fighting leader from a fighting Regt.’ Such were the comments heard on all sides and in all ranks.” Greenleaf led the regiment home to Montreal in January 1946. Making a career in the army, from 1956 to 1958, he served as commanding officer of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse. After 1973 membership on the Vietnam truce commission, he was assigned as a military attaché for the Canadian embassy in Moscow. There he became the target of a diplomatic controversy and Soviet propaganda.

Created By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Create Date

July 4, 2026

Updated By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Update Date

July 6, 2026