ANDERSON, Private Roy Wellington

Anderson, Roy

Died on August 31, 1944 in Italy age 21 – Service Number B/22485

West Nova Scotia Regiment (42nd Battery)

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Oliver Anderson, of Waterford, Norfolk County, Ontario. Roy was born at Hillsdale, Ontario on January 26, 1923 and moved with his parents to Waterford seven years ago. He attended Hillsdale public school and Waterford High School and at the age of 18 enlisted in the 42nd Battery, RCA at Brantford in August 1941. He trained at Simcoe, Brantford and Niagara-on-the-Lake, going overseas in November 1941. Besides his parents, he leaves to morn his loss three brothers and seven sisters: Earl W Anderson of Waterford, Gnr Bruce Anderson in France, Paul Anderson at Home, Mrs. Wilfred Riddell of Baldwin, Ontario, Mrs. Wm Post of Simcoe, Mrs Robert Inglis of Toronto of Toronto, Mrs. Jack Garland of Toronto, Marion, Muriel and Eleanor Anderson at home.

The Allies began the day of August 30th with an air bombardment against German positions at dawn. At 5.30 p.m., the Perth Regiment attacked the end of a ridge northeast of Montecchio, while a knoll at the west end of the town and the high ground beyond were the objectives of the Cape Breton Highlanders. Both units faced incessant fire from the heights as well as minefields along the flat lands. The Perths managed to break through the line first, reaching and passing their objective. The Cape Breton troops had the support of tanks from the 8th Princess Louise’s (New Brunswick) Hussars, which helped three of their companies make it to the base of the knoll. After each attempt, however, they were driven back to the Foglia, with casualties totalling 19 members killed and 46 wounded. The Canadian Irish Regiment, which had been in reserve, was moved through the path of the Perths. Tanks and artillery guns were not yet available here and as a result the regiment lost 19 killed and 31 wounded. In the end, however, the knoll position was successfully taken, and 121 Germans captured, thanks to Allied artillery assaults and crafty positioning of the Irish Regiment soldiers who caught the enemy from behind. The 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards were also involved in these actions as they had been

Roy is buried in the Montecchio War Cemetery, Italy.

He is commemorated on Page 237 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.

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