I am searching for the details of the circumstances in battle which warranted the award tof the C-in-C Certificate for gallantry by a Canadian soldier, Sergeant Lorne Price, C21292, Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa.. He was killed in action on 15 November, 1944. This soldier had landed with his regiment on D-Day, June 6, 1944.so he fought through Europe. But I believe that his temporary burial at Jonker Bosch temporary Canadian military cemetery in Holland indicates the battle took place there. I appreciate knowing the story of his heroism. Thx KURT Johnson
As with MiDs (and generally worse), usually very difficult to tie to a particular action. Believe certificate recommendations were a completely different process, just a list of names for a specific date range, no citations. MiDs often similar (ie. periodic awards), but occasionally an MiD is the result of a downgrade from a recommendation for a higher immediate award and can be traced with some confidence. Awards details for a unit are not generally part of the record set preserved at LAC as far as I know, though may have been preserved with other regimental records. Might be worth a hunt with the unit, or with the city or provincial archives to see what they have for CHO. I had success with the Sask provincial archives for these files for my Reginas research, but reliant on someone with the unit making sure they were preserved. From 'The History of the 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (MG)' by Lieut Col Richard M Ross OBE. Date unknown but I think published relatively early after the war. No index, but from a quick scan: "Early in the morning of 21 August Nos 10 and 11 Platoons commanded by Lieuts HB Jackson and VL Leatherdale were in position near Magny on the Trun-Chambois road. Infantry from the forward company of an infantry Battalion filtered back to the gun line saying they had been over run by infantry and tanks. A few minutes later the enemy infantry appeared on the right flank of No 10 Platoon's gun line. Cpl AW Marshall stood off the attack with a Bren gun while the gun frontage was switched to the new direction and and fire was opened. At the same time a Tiger tank appeared in front of No 10 Platoon's observation post manned by Sgt LCC Price and Pte JC McGraw. They promptly engaged it with the PIAT scoring two hits. The machine guns fired for about five minutes, and through the efforts of Lieuts Jackson and Leatherdale, who rallied the disorganized infantry the situation was restored. Over 100 prisoners were taken and 75 killed were buried later in the day. It was considered that the breakout was a bold thrust to get General Manny out of the trap as he was captured in the same area later in the day." Believe, but not certain that 10 Pl would be C Coy of the CHO. CHO moved with 3 Cdn Inf Div into the Nijmegen area 10 Nov 44, relieving US 82nd Airborne. C Coy with one Pl 'on the polder east of Nijmegen' and two Pls 'on the high ground near Beek' I think as the reserve Coy. B Coy supporting 8 Cdn Inf Bde with two Pls 'in action near Bergendal'. A Coy supporting 7 Cdn Inf Bde on the 'right flank extending toward Groesbeek'. "This front had been comparatively quiet due to the fact that not much artillery could be spared to support the Airborne Divisions. Now with 2 Canadian Infantry Division on our right and 50th (Northumbrian) Division on our left we proceeded to open up with all we had and 'hot up' the front. This soon drew retaliation in the form of shelling, mortaring and Moaning Minnie fire from the displeased Boche. On the 15th November the enemy harassed along the principle maintenance route to Bergendal killing Sergeant LCC Price who had just come in to Company HQ to pick up Platoon rations." Unclear to me if this indicates he was with B Coy in that immediate area or with one of the other Coys and coming into that centralized location.
I believe you are correct Kevin. Some info about the CHO when they landed on D-Day, and you can see from the info below that 6, 7 & 8 Platoons were part of “B” Company, and 12, 13, 14 & 15 Platoons were part of “D” Company (Mortars) so it would make sense that 9, 10 & 11 Platoons were “C” Company 'B' Company, Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (MG) supported 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade - Major JM Carson Saw more action than the other companies 6 Platoon supported the Queens Own Rifles of Canada - Lt. Woodward 7 Platoon was under the command of the North Shore Regiment in the assault on the radar station at Douvres - Lt. Sharp 8 Platoon supported the Regiment de la Chaudiere A four man reconnaissance party landed at H+20 minutes. At H+60 Six Carrier MMG, one Carrier with wireless set and 26 men landed. At H+75 Seven Carrier MMG and 35 men landed. ‘C’ Company, Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (MG) supported 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade - Major CC Hill ‘C’ Company landed with 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade. This brigade was to pass through 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade and advance the furthest. ‘C’ Company landed together, reorganized at the concentration area and moved off with the Brigade. 26 men landed at H+150 16 Carriers, one Carrier with wireless set, one jeep, 4 x motorcycles (carried on the vehicles), one 3 ton lorry and 50 men landed at H+180 ‘D’ Company, Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Heavy Mortars) - Major R M Ross 13 and 14 Platoons supported the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade - Major R.M Ross 12 and 15 Platoons were to support 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade but were not able to land until D+2 - Captain R.G. Armstrong
