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.
Sapper Rutter arrived in Italy in November 1943. in the 13th Field Company as part of 1 Canadian Corps Engineers. As such, he would have been employed in road and bridge building, often improving or replacing roads and bridges hastily installed by divisional engineers. On the night of 6 and 7 September, the 13th Field Company was working along the Foglia River which was under flood at the time and under fire from German artillery.
He was killed on 7 September 1944 leaving behind a wife and small boy in England. He was 23 years old. He is buried in the Gradara War Cemetery.
