Powell, Lt. Robert Branks

  • From: From Classroom to Battlefield: Victoria High School and the First World War by Barry Gough.
  • Notes:
    • 1881 – 1917, Born in Victoria, B.C., killed and buried in France
    • Robert Branks Powell was Canada’s most famous tennis player of the age had fought through the battle of Vimy Ridge and now he found himself with the 16th Battalion Canadian infantry in the attempt to secure the southeastern flank of the Ridge,  a vulnerable location.  To rectify this British and Canadian forces launched an attack on April 28th Arleux was captured by the Canadians but the British met with stiffer resistance from the Germans and the casualties were high.
    • Lieutenant Powell was killed in action;  he was deeply mourned. He had lead Canada’s tennis team at the 1908 Summer Olympics,  Captain of Canada’s Davis Cup team in 1913 was a finalist at Wimbledon and won numerous titles and much fame moreover he was called to the English bar and registered as a barrister at law with the Law Society of Alberta had served in the British colonial service in Fiji and western Pacific High Commission and was the private secretary to Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.  He came from one of the most prominent Canadian and Victoria families the son of Doctor Israel Wood Powell ( a friend of Prime Minister John A. MacDonald) who appointed him B.C.’s first Indian Commissioner.  
    • Powell had been born in Victoria, educated at Victoria High School and learn to play tennis on his family court.  He was a popular and abled soldier and internationally famous.  His death was noted in the world press he was buried in France.
  • Great Grandson of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=6731
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56571186/robert-branks-powell