Cruickshank Lake is named in honour of Major Robert Edward Cruickshank, VC.
Robert Edward Cruichshank was born in June 1888 in Winnipeg where his father worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Cruickshank emigrated to England with his family when he was 3 and completed his education in Woodford, Essex after which he became a salesman for the Lipton Tea Company and the Lever Company. He served in the Territorial Army with the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) from 1908 to 1911, and as a young man, became involved in the Scouting movement as well as local politics. At the outbreak of World War I, he volunteered for the Royal Flying Corps but transferred to the London Scottish Regiment. He was wounded in the Battle of the Somme in France before being sent to serve in the Middle East. On 1 May 1918, Cruichshank earned the Victoria Cross near the Jordan River in Palestine when he volunteered to carry a critical message along the front line where he was hit several times by a sniper (see citation below). He survived and was evacuated back to England. After the war, he returned to his career in sales and when the Second World War erupted, he volunteered to serve in the Home Guard where he attained the rank of Major. Robert Edward Cruickshank died in August 1961.
Citation:
"The platoon to which Private Cruickshank belonged came under very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire at short range and was led down a steep bank into a wadi, most of the men being hit before they reached the bottom. Immediately after reaching the bottom of the wadi the officer in command was shot dead, and the sergeant who then took over command sent a runner back to Company Headquarters asking for support, but was mortally wounded almost immediately after; the corporal having in the meantime been killed, the only remaining N.C.O. (a lance-corporal), believing the first messenger to have been killed, called for a volunteer to take a second message back.
Private Cruickshank immediately responded and rushed up the slope, but was hit and rolled back into the wadi bottom. He again rose and rushed up the slope, but, being again wounded, rolled back into the wadi. After his wounds had been dressed he rushed a third time up the slope and again fell badly wounded. Being now unable to stand he rolled himself back amid a hail of bullets. His wounds were now of such a nature as to preclude him making any further attempt and he lay all day in a dangerous position, being sniped at and again wounded where he lay. He displayed the utmost valour and endurance, and was cheerful and uncomplaining throughout.”
- The London Gazette, June 21, 1918
