Richard Pyves
BIO
Biography

Rick Pyves is a published author, avid historian and genealogist and grew up in Montreal, Quebec. Rick is a graduate of Concordia (Sir George Williams) University and McGill University and holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Business Administration in Marketing. Rick’s first book Night Madness: A Rear Gunner’s Story of Love, Courage, and Hope in World War II was published by Red Deer Press in October, 2012.  Based on interviews, painstaking archival research, and letters from a long-distance love affair, Rick has weaved together his father’s tale into a touching love story and one man’s very personal war.   Rick's new book, Courage, Sacrifice and Betrayal: The Story of the Victoria Rifles of Canada - 60th Battalion in the First World War was released in March 2018 by Helion & Company in the UK and by ECW Press in Canada. Courage, Sacrifice and Betrayal is a microcosm of the countless sad, heroic and everyday experiences of Canadian front line battalions that fought in WWI. It provides a detailed account of the day-to-day operations of the 60th Battalion and the lives of its many soldiers including A.Y. Jackson future Group of Seven Artist and the author's grandfather Sergeant Edward Pyves (Military Medal). Rick has just completed his trilogy with the story of his maternal, great-grandmother's brother, Sir John James Taylor, Assistant Under-Secretary for Ireland,  who was the De Facto Ruler of Ireland from 1918 to early 1920. it is the story of a commoner, born in India who joins the British Civil Service as a young teenager and rises through the ranks to a position of influence during the Irish War of Independence.  The release of this book is scheduled for February 2022.  

ADDRESS
City: Pickering, Province/Territory: Ontario
EMAIL
LANGUAGES
English
PUBLICATIONS
Publications
AWARDS
Awards
Name
City of Pickering Civic Arts Award
Publication
Based on both my books
Year
2018
Name
Night Madness & Courage
Name
Sacrifice and Betrayal.
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Presentation details
Audience Size
Audience size
10 -300
Presentation Length
Minimum 60 minutes
Presentation Description
Presentation description

i have 2 PowerPoint presentations which cover the key characters in each of my books &  their experiences in WWI and WWII. As part of my presentation i share with the audience the sources which I have used to document the military history of both  RCAF Bomber Command in WWII and the 60th Battalion in WWI. Many people have expressed an interest in learning how they can also research their military ancestors.

Presentation Fee(s)
$150 for a one hour presentation
Programs & Interests
Interested in participating Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program:
All members are eligible for the Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program. Are you interested in participating in this pro
No
Interested in participating in the Northern Ontario WITS program:
The Union’s Northern Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program funds in-person visits to northern Ontario schools when possible. Ar
No