Pierre Duclos

The photograph is shared with the Trust following research by the 11th Armoured Division Facebook Group and its Black Bull Research Team. Photo source: Operation:PictureMe, FindaGrave.com

Remembering Pierre Duclos, Died of Wounds, 28 June 1944. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps but had volunteered to serve as a CANLOAN officer in the British Army.

He was born on the 23 September 1910, in Grosse-Isle, Quebecthe son of Mrs George Duclos (nee Masson). He attended elementary school but due to ill health in childhood he then had eight years of private tuition and did an 18 month correspondence course in Diesel Mechanics. After he left education, he worked as an Assistant Foreman in the Control Department of the Anglo-Canadian Pulp and Paper Mills from November 1930 to February 1932, an operator of electrical dregger for Chantiers Manseau from April 1932 to October 1933 and finally a roto-presser and newspaperman for the Montreal Matin which he began in January 1933.

He did a short period of service in 1935 when he attended a summer camp with the 6th Regiment of the Royal Canadian Army in Halifax  where he qualified as a Gunner Layer with the rank of Lance Sergeant. He received his first call up for a medical examination in March 1943 and stated he would like a commission in the R.C.O.C. (Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps).

He enlisted on the 19th April 1943 and was immediately recommended for a commission. His officer candidate selection record tells us he was 5ft 7in tall and looked "healthy, fit, clean and business-like". He spoke fluent French and English and he enjoyed the sports of bowling and also swimming occasionally. He was a keen photographer (developing and printing) and he liked reading technical books and mechanics. He stated that he "would have joined long ago if he had not been supporting aging mother." The Army Examiner said that he "Appears sociable, honest and forthright. Has some leadership experience and personal magnetism." He was single at the time he joined up but was engaged to Louise Bernier whom he had known for four years.

He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in November 1943 and was grant embarkation leave of absence from the 25th February to the 2nd March 1944, prior to going to the UK. On the 24th February 1944 he applied for, and was granted, permission to marry Louise Bernier. He embarked for the UK on the 14th April, disembarked on the 1st May 1944 and was posted to the 4th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry on the 3rd May 1944.

The battalion embarked for Normandy on the 13th June and concentrated near Cainet by June 15, 1944. Their first major engagement was in Operation Epsom (26 June to 4th July). Acting in coordination with the tanks of 49 Armoured Brigade of 11th Armoured Division, they were to secure the  bridgehead over the River Odon to the west of the city of Caen where the British advance had stalled and secure the heights of Hill 112 beyond the Odon. They were then to the break through the German lines to out flank Caen and enable its capture. But they encountered heavy mortar fire. The field medical card that was filled out for Pierre Duclos reveals that he was wounded on the 28th June. He was admitted to the 179th Field Ambulance Field Dressing Station with bomb wounds. They had to amputate his right leg but he died the same day.

News of his death was reported in the Montreal Daily Star.