Spr Michael Dusyk, 14th Fd Coy

Plaque on Montmartre Cenotaph listing Sapper Michael Dusyk
Cenotaph in Montmartre, Saskatchewan listing Sapper Michael Dusyk
Background 

Michael Dusyk was born in Montmartre, Saskatchewan, the son of John and Eva Dusyk. He grew up on his parents farming homestead southeast of Montmartre. His mother tongue was Ukrainian. As a farm boy, he did not complete high school as was common in those times. His preference in the army was infantry.

Michael had been serving in the 4th Fortress Company, Royal Canadian Engineers in Esquimalt since April 1941 when he enlisted in the Canadian Active Service Force in Victoria, British Columbia in July 1942. He was immediately sent to A-6 RCE Training Centre Dundurn, Saskatchewan, returning to Esquimalt in late October qualified as an Engine Hand Group ‘C’ and having had his appendix removed in Saskatoon. In January 1943, Michael was from Esquimalt posted to the UK, transiting through Debert, Nova Scotia until setting sail in March, joining the 14th Field Company in June.

The 14th Field Company, as part of 1st Canadian Corps Troops, arrived in Palermo, Italy in November 1943 and travelled uncomfortably by rail on the ‘square wheel line’ to Messina. Crossing to the mainland in January 1944 after having been employed on extensive road and bridge repair tasks throughout the Canadian Sector in Sicily, the company settled into the Bari area initially and followed the advance of the Canadian Corps through the Liri Valley, the Advance to Florence and the Gothic Line.  During this time, Michael qualified as a Pioneer Group ‘C’. The company was supporting the 5th Canadian Armoured Division in its assault across the Uso River.  The winter rains had come early and washouts were frequent. On the night of 27/28 September, the company, in pouring rain, was building a Bailey bridge across to Salto River to replace an earlier crossing site that had been washed out. During an enemy artillery attack, Michael was struck by a splinter and later died of his wounds. He is buried in Gradara Commonwealth War Cemetery. He was 24 years old.

 Dusyk Lake, northeast of Uranium City is named in his honour. 

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