Sapper Heathcote, Raphael Foster, 3 Canadian Field Park Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, was attached to 18 Canadian Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, with his unarmoured D-7 Angledozer on 25 February 1945. At the time of this attachment, 18 Canadian Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, was engaged on the repair and maintenance of the Division Axis from Cleve to Udem for Operation BLOCKBUSTER. On 25 February 1945 the company was ordered to repair six craters at crossroads Map Reference 9, 604, 62 east of Goch. At this time the right forward platoon of 3 Canadian Division occupied this crossroads with 1 Platoon, 18 Canadian Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers. While on the job the party came under direct mortar and artillery fire. Sapper Heathcote continued to operate his machine with nor personal protection, thereby enabling the work which was of vital importance to be carried on. He continued to operate his machine until it was put out of action by flying fragments of enemy mortar bombs and finally finished his job by diving into cover when the bombs came over.
When the D-7 was of no further use for road work this operator turned it around and slowly coaxed it back to cover where it was recovered by the parent unit. By his steadfast determination to see his job finished as far as possible and the recovery of his equipment when it was no longer serviceable and his example of coolness and courage in the face of enemy action which he was powerless to counteract, this Sapper was an example to the surrounding troops, as well as the Engineer Platoon, which was in keeping with the high tradition of his Corps.