Andrew McNaughton

Army officer

• Born: February 25, 1887
• Died: July 11, 1966

Contribution: Andrew McNaughton is best known for his military achievements, his time as chair of the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission between 1946 and 1948, and his contributions to the International Joint Commission from 1950 to 1962. McNaughton gained recognition during the First World War by successfully combining scientific inventiveness with military needs. His involvement with the military lasted throughout his life.

Early Life and Education

Andrew McNaughton was born on February 25, 1887, in Moosomin, North West Territories, now known as Saskatchewan. He attended McGill University and graduated with an engineering degree in 1910. He would later become a faculty member there after earning a master’s degree in 1912. McNaughton enlisted in the army reserve while at McGill.

Military Career

McNaughton fought in World War I as a gunner. While stationed in France in 1915, he invented the cathode ray direction finder, a forerunner of radar, which helped soldiers to accurately pinpoint artillery targets.

McNaughton received several promotions during the war, reaching the rank of brigadier-general by war’s end in 1918. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for meritorious or distinguished service by an officer during combat.

Following the war, McNaughton decided to stay with the army. He advanced rapidly and was promoted to deputy chief of the general staff in 1922. During his career in the military, McNaughton utilized his engineering skills to help improve radio signals and mechanize the Canadian armed forces.

In 1929, McNaughton became chief of the general staff, a position he held until 1935 when he became president of the National Research Council of Canada. From 1935 through 1939, McNaughton advanced the development of the military’s engineering divisions, especially in the areas of mechanical, electrical, and aeronautical engineering.

McNaughton was appointed to the rank of general officer commanding the first Canadian division, which was sent to England in 1939 when Canada entered World War II. He was promoted several times during the war and achieved the rank of general and then was appointed general officer commanding-in-chief of the first Canadian army overseas. After several conflicts with British and Canadian leaders, however, McNaughton resigned from the army in 1943.

In 1944, McNaughton was appointed Canada’s minister of national defense. It was during this time that he also entered politics but was defeated in two separate bids for parliament. By the end of the year, McNaughton retired from the army, but he continued his involvement with the military.

McNaughton was the chairman of the Canada-United States Permanent Joint Board on Defense from 1945 to 1958. From 1946 until 1948 he was the first president of the Atomic Energy Control Board (now the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) and represented Canada on the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (1946–48). In 1948, McNaughton was Canada’s representative on the United Nations Security Council. He also held the position of Canadian chairman on the International Joint Commission from 1950 to 1962.

Other Successes

In addition to McNaughton’s military triumphs, he wrote and co-wrote several articles while president of the Atomic Energy Control Board. In 1947 he was the lead author on the article “Agency’s Functions in Relation to Location and Mining of Oars,” which was written to promote the limitation and protection of uranium and thorium, which are source materials for nuclear weapons. McNaughton also co-authored the article “Stockpiling, Production and Distribution of Nuclear Fuels,” which questions to production, stockpiling, and distribution of nuclear fuels by nations. “Agency’s Rights and Limitations Relating to Inspections, Surveys and Explorations” examined the right of the Atomic Energy Commission to inspect areas, activities, and objects for clandestine activity relating to atomic energy and weaponry. The paper pointed out the potential for misuse of the Commission’s powers and stressed that the Commission’s authority be used solely for the inspection of nuclear material and possible abuses of it and that the Commission be bound by laws and regulations.

Personal Life

McNaughton was an electrical engineer, an expert on high voltage, a gunnery expert, and a Canadian military legend, yet little is known about his personal life. He died in 1966.

Bibliography

“A Canadian ‘Beacon of Light’ in the Early UN.” Canada World View 2 (1999): 7. Print.

De Rose, Francois, et al. “Agency’s Rights and Limitations Relating to Inspections, Surveys and Explorations.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 3.9 (1947): 262–65. Print.

“General Andrew McNaughton (1946–1948).” Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Nuclear Safety/Government of Canada, 13 July 2012. Web. 22 Aug. 2013.

Godefroy, Andrew, and Canadian Defence Academy. Great War Commands: Historical Perspectives on Canadian Army Leadership, 1914–1918. Kingston, ON: Canadian Defense Academy, 2010. Print.

Granatstein, J. L. Canada’s Army: Waging War and Keeping the Peace. Toronto: U of Toronto P, 2004. Print.

McNaughton, Andrew G. L., et al. “Agency’s Functions in Relation to Location and Mining of Ores.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 3.9 (1947): 257–58. Print.

Nichols, Kenneth D., et al. “Stockpiling, Production, and Distribution of Nuclear Fuels.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 3.9 (1947): 260–66. Print.

Preston, Richard A. To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College Since the Second World War. Ottawa: U of Ottawa P, 1991. Print.

Rawlings, Charles. “Canada’s Toughest.” Saturday Evening Post 215.19 (1942): 15. Print.

Rickard, John Nelson. The Politics of Command: Lieutenant-General Andrew McNaughton and the Canadian Army, 1939–1943. Toronto: U of Toronto P, 2010. Print.

Swettenham, John Alexander. McNaughton. 3 vols. Toronto: Ryerson, 1968–69. Print.