Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, R.C.I.C.
Canadian Army
3rd Canadian Infantry Division
ForceArmy, Infantry, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
Service NumberG/32686 (Saint John Fusiliers M.G.)
RankPrivate (1942-05-13)
Engagement1940-07-15 | Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
T.O.S. this Regiment1942-08-29 (Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa)
Overseas1942-05-02 | United Kingdom
Disembarked1944-06-06 | France D-DAY!
Date of Death1944-10-09 | The Netherlands
DiedKilled in action
RecordsStudy the full service records
Birthdate1920-05-16
BirthplaceSaint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Age24
ParentsSon of Harry Curtis and Theresa MAIN
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer in Cornwall and York Cotton Mill
MAIN, GORDON ERNEST - Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, R.C.I.C.

Plot 7 | Row B | Grave 6

" A TOKEN OF LOVE TO ONE WE SHALL NEVER FORGET HIS MEMORY IS A TREASURE HIS LOSS A LIFETIME REGRET "

Medals
1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Service Volunteer Medal (with Clasp), 1939-45 War Medal
1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Service Volunteer Medal (with Clasp), 1939-45 War Medal
War diary
Lt-Col P.C. Klaehn attended an O Gp at Div HQ at 0930 hrs. Very little doing about HQ today.

9 CIB's attack on the eastern end of the German strongpoint on the SOUTH bank of the SCHELDE ESTUARY (Biervliet / Hoofdplaat shores) went in this morning after a 24 hr postponement. C Coy and two Pls of D Coy's mortars are u/c for the op, which once again takes into account a water crossing, involving loading and landing tables, assault craft, etc.

Early success was reported, with the enemy taken completely by surprise. C Coy gave their posn in the afternoon along the line 186145 (Olmendijk near Scheldedijk, Hoofdplaat, Netherlands) to 198137 (crossing Scheldedijk / Appelzakweg, Biervliet, Netherlands) with phase two nearly completed.

Enemy reaction was by shellfire, incl the CD batteries at FLUSHING and the old FORT on WALCHERN ISLAND. Up to 2230 hrs 200 PW's had been taken by the Bde.

Enemy on the Central Bridgehead over the LEOPOLD CANAL has continued with hy mortaring and shelling. Reports are that enemy dead and wounded litter the field, and this is corroborated by the fact 90% of the wounded brought back over the canal today were enemy cas. It is estimated the enemy force here has decreased by three Bns, namely, 1 Bn 1038 Gr, 1 Bn Para Trg Bn, and majority of 627 Landesschutzen Bn.
Adopted Grave
Unknown
Temporary Burial
Temporary burial P. de Clerck - Biervliet, Netherlands
Coordinates Temporary Burial
51.354827354662,3.7118127427288
Credits

Portrait: Canadian Virtual War Memorial.

Photograph temporary burial: Monique de Bree-de Clerck.

Info from War Diary and Service Records: LAC (Library Archive Canada).

Photographs Regimental and Division patch: JM-Militaria.

Photograph headstone: Michael van de Velde.

Adegem Canadian War Cemetery