Cpl Gordon Antoine Durand, 8th Fd Sqn, Military Medal

Since he arrived in this theatre of operations, the conduct of Corporal Durand has been outstanding. As commander of a section of 3 Troops of 8 Canadian Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers, He has shown courage, initiative and coolness under fire, and unusual qualities of leadership under trying conditions on many occasions. On 14 August 1944, during an attack near St.Sylvain, the vehicle in which he and his section were travelling received a direct hit from an 88-mm shell. Though badly shaken up he quickly regained control of his remaining men and skilfully extricated them from this difficult and dangerous situation. On 13 October his section assisted in the construction of a Bailey bridge over the Leopold Canal at Struiburg. In his supervision of the work Corporal Durand exposed himself continuously in the face of intense mortar and shell fire. This disregard for his own safety set a high example and was an inspiration to all those with him. On 21 October his section was detailed to eliminate the mines and booby traps on the divisional centre line north of Calempthout. The explosion of a mine killed three of his men and disorganized the working party, but Corporal Durand, though he was himself severely wounded, re-allotted the work and continued his direction of it until the task was completed. The determination of this Non-Commissioned Officer, the spirit in which he undertook his tasks, however difficult or dangerous they were, and his unquestioned personal courage were many times instrumental in maintaining the high morale of his unit.