WW II

L/Cpl Richard Douglas Blaine, 10th Fd Sqn

Richard Douglas Blaine was born in Campden, ON in 1913 to William and Ella May Blaine. He was a carpenter, working in Vineland, ON when he enlisted in the Canadian Army (Active Force) on 18 June 1941, in Hamilton.  He qualified as a Group 'B' carpenter and was posted to 7 Construction Company in Petawawa.

In May of 1942, he married Olive Paquette in Toronto and was sent to the UK a month later for more training. In October he was posted to the 10th Field Squadron and travelled with them to Naples, Italy in November, 1943.

Spr Denis Rutter, 13th Fd Coy

Sapper Denis Rutter came from Calgary, AB where he attended St Mary’s Boys School. He was the son of Thomas B. and Winifred Rutter.

Before enlisting in the Canadian Army in September 1939, Denis worked in Bragg Creek, AB. After completing basic engineer training, he arrived in England in May 1940. He was then trained as a dispatch rider and took part in many exercises.

Cpl Gerald Hawkins, 13th Fd Coy

Gerald Hawkins was born in Lloydminster, SK in 1910, the son of Francis Herbert and Olive Hawkins.  He grew up in Lloydminster and had completed public school (Grade VIII). He later moved to Edmonton, Alberta and worked as a plumber’s helper for the H Farris Company.  He was married to Florence May Hawkins when he enlisted in July 1941.

Spr John Charles Bailey, 10th Fd Sqn

John Charles Bailey was born in 1918 to American immigrant parents, John Wesley Bailey and Euretta Bailey, who homesteaded southwest of Baljennie, SK.  John was working as a farmer and blacksmith apprentice when he registered for Home Defence duties under the National Resources Mobilization Act in early January 1941. He quickly opted to transferred to the active force in Saskatoon and was assigned to the Royal Canadian Engineers. 

Spr Kenneth J Glover, 13 Fd Coy

Sapper Kenneth Glover was born in Strathmore, AB, the son of Henry Thomas Glover and of Janet Louise Glover. He was raised in Calgary where he attended Colonel Walker and Western Canada High Schools. He joined the Canadian Army in September 1939 and went overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers the following year.  By Christmas 1943, he was serving in Italy and would have seen action at Ortona and later on the Hitler Line.

He is buried in the Monteccio Commonwealth War Cemetery.  He was 25 years old when he was killed.