Patron of the Order

General Rick Hillier, CMM, MSC, CD, former Chief of The Defence Staff of Canada, was born and educated in Newfoundland.  He graduated from Memorial University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

His military career started with service in the 8th Canadian Hussars, in Petawawa – Ontario; he went on to serve with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Lahr – Germany and his subsequent service included tours of duty in Montreal – Quebec; at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa; as commander of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group; Deputy Commanding General of III Armoured Corps in the United States Army at Fort Hood in Texas; Commander of Multi-National Division in Bosnia-Herzegovina; Chief of Land Staff of the Canadian Army; and Commander of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan.

General Hillier was appointed Chief of the Land Staff of Canada in 2003.  In 2005 he became Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada.  He stepped down as CDS in 2008.  On his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces, he was appointed Chancellor of his alma mater, Memorial University of Newfoundland. 

General Hillier became the Patron of the Grand Priory of Canada and the Americas of The International Knightly Order of St. George in 2008.  He will be inducted into the Order with the rank of Knight Grand Cross at an investiture ceremony to be held in Niagara Falls, Ontario in September of 2009.