Robert Thomas Grewcutt was born in Coleman, Alberta, the son of Ebe and Mary Horne.
He was employed as a telegraph clerk working for the Canadian Pacific Railway when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers in August 1941. He expressed an interest in becoming a motor mechanic on enlistment. The enlist office selected him as ‘good sapper material’ with leadership potential and noted he was not interested in clerical work. He was 19 years old.
Robert joined his unit, the 10th Field Squadron, in Petawawa, Ontario later in September and went with them to England in December of that same year. He qualified as a Pioneer Group ‘C’ in September 1942, and after driving courses qualified as a Driver Operator Group ‘C’ in July 1943. He was also qualified as a motorcyclist. The Squadron arrived in Naples in November 1943 after an eventful journey in which one ship carrying Canadian troops was sunk by enemy aircraft with no loss of life.
The 10th Field Squadron took part in the Liri Valley Campaign and later moved up through Tuscany and by August 1944 found itself on their way to the Gothic Line on Italy’s east coast. Most tasks along the way involved route construction and maintenance with a heavy emphasis on mine clearing and crater repair. The work was dangerous, but Robert managed not to get hurt.
Tragedy struck while they were preparing for the assault on Coriano Ridge on the morning of 11 September. Harry with other members of 1 Troop were having breakfast in shifts near a kitchen truck. A stray shell hit the kitchen tent causing 28 casualties – six killed outright, three seriously wounded who later died of wounds, and 11 seriously injured. Robert died in hospital later that day. He is buried in the Gradara Commonwealth War Cemetery in Italy.