John Chester MacRae
Encyclopedia
John Chester "Chet" MacRae MC
(August 29, 1912 - October 5, 1997) was a Canadian
school teacher, soldier
, and politician
. Known by his second name, Chester, he was widely referred to as "Chet."
Born in Hope Town, Quebec
, MacRae lived most of his life in the Province of New Brunswick
. He graduated from High School in Campbellton, New Brunswick
then attended the provincial Normal School
in Fredericton. He taught in the public school system until 1940.
A veteran of World War II
, serving in the Canadian Army he rose to the rank of Captain in New Brunswick's North Shore Regiment and participated in the D-Day
Normandy Landings in France
. He was awarded a number of medals including the Military Cross
. In later years he was appointed an honorary Colonel of the First Battalion Royal New Brunswick Regiment, the Carleton-York regiment.
MacRae was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons
in 1957 as the Progressive Conservative Party's
candidate in the York-Sunbury riding
. He was re-elected in 1958, 1962, 1963, 1965, and 1968. He served until September 1, 1972.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(August 29, 1912 - October 5, 1997) 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...
school teacher, soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
, and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Known by his second name, Chester, he was widely referred to as "Chet."
Born in Hope Town, Quebec
Hope Town, Quebec
Hope Town is a municipality in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region of the province of Quebec in Canada....
, MacRae lived most of his life in the Province of New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. He graduated from High School in Campbellton, New Brunswick
Campbellton, New Brunswick
Campbellton is a Canadian city in Restigouche County, New Brunswick.Situated on the south bank of the Restigouche River opposite Pointe-à-la-Croix, Quebec, Campbellton was officially incorporated in 1889 and achieved city status in 1958.Forestry and tourism are major industries in the regional...
then attended the provincial Normal School
Normal school
A normal school is a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose is to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name...
in Fredericton. He taught in the public school system until 1940.
A veteran of 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...
, serving in the Canadian Army he rose to the rank of Captain in New Brunswick's North Shore Regiment and participated in the D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
Normandy Landings in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He was awarded a number of medals including the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
. In later years he was appointed an honorary Colonel of the First Battalion Royal New Brunswick Regiment, the Carleton-York regiment.
MacRae was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in 1957 as the Progressive Conservative Party's
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
candidate in the York-Sunbury riding
Fredericton (electoral district)
Fredericton is a federal electoral district in New Brunswick, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1988. Its population in 2001 was 82,782...
. He was re-elected in 1958, 1962, 1963, 1965, and 1968. He served until September 1, 1972.