HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Originally from Newfoundland, now part of Canada, he was a diver in one of the Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Units. These were small groups of men who were amongst the first ashore on D-Day on the Anglo-Canadian beaches.

Operating from inflatable boats, they were tasked to clear underwater obstacles and mines in depths between 1.4m and 3m and then mark the gaps and any obstacles within them so the assault craft could land.

He was working on King sector, Gold Beach but was killed in the course of carrying out the work.