#75 REMEMBERING SERGEANT GORDON WILLIAM BOLTON

                                                     GORDON BOLTON

I have many distant cousins who have served in Canada’s forces. Sadly many, especially those who died young, have become a footnote in history, so it important that I try to resurrect their story. Gordon William Bolton is one distant cousin who enlisted in the Canadian army in World War II and died August 8,1944 in France. Usually I am lucky enough to come across details of their lives but in Gordon’s case, I can only draw a brief sketch of his life. So far, no pictures, no family stories, nor (as is the case of 149 other Guelph veterans) a street or park in his honour. I hope this little bit helps keep his memory alive.

Gordon was born in Guelph on June 18, 1913. His parents were Thomas Bolton and Harriett Cook and he was the second youngest of ten children. His oldest brother, Charles, had been conscripted into the Canadian army in World War I and served in the Canadian Reserve Army in England. Gordon attended Guelph Collegiate for two years.

Gordon married Kathleen Bennett at age 24, on July 31, 1937. Although they both lived in Guelph, they must have taken the train to Palmerston where they were married in the Anglican rectory.

Gordon was a hospital attendant at Homewood Hospital, a store clerk and a factory enameler.

On Sept 4, 1941, age 28, when Gordon enlisted in the Canadian Army 63^rd Battalion, in London Ontario, he left behind a wife, a 4 year old daughter, Joanne, and a baby son, Gordon.  He did his basic training in Kitchener; during this “common-to-all-arms” training, discipline was instilled with close-order drill, uniform inspections, lectures on fundamentals of military life and the basic use of weapons and equipment. Then Gordon was sent to Petawa for more advanced training and the more complicated tasks specific to working as a team to capture objectives and engaging an enemy force. Gordon qualified as a tank driver, was posted to the 33^rd Battalion, and was promoted to rank of sergeant. He was described as “efficient and very reliable NCO”. In December 1942, he was granted six days Christmas leave to visit his young family. (460 km or 5 hour drive from Petawa to Guelph)  He had two more two-week furloughs and one 4 day furlough in early 1943, before  shipping off to England in late August 1943 and settling at Marden Park. By the end of that 1943 winter, most of the unit’s new equipment had arrived. The 33^rd got Self-propelled m-10s tanks.

Gordon was attached to the 33^rd Anti-Tank Battalion.   Tanks have played a significant role in mechanizing modern warfare. Each member of a tank crew had a specific responsibility. The Commander was leader of the crew, directed movements, gave orders for engaging the enemy, decided what tactics to use on the battlefield, and had to maintain links with squadron leaders while directing his own crew. The Gunner was responsible for the firing of the main gun; it took great skill to aim and lock on to a moving target, amidst the pressure of explosions, shouting and roar of the engine. The Ammunition Loader had to make sure the guns were loaded; the quicker the guns could be reloaded, the more it could fire.  Finally, the Driver controlled the tank when moving and maneuvered it during battle, a difficult task as tanks did not turn easily; he also served as mechanic. Out on operation, the driver didn’t have access to tools, personnel or parts necessary to remedy damage during battle. It was up to the driver, using whatever he had available, to keep the tank running. Funnily, one of the biggest challenges was not being hit by bullets or RPGs, but rats who would chew on the electrical wiring causing all kinds of problems. Gordon was the tank driver.      

The 6 Anti-Tank Regiment trained and waited in England. They did not participate on the D-Day Normandy Landing. In early July, the regiment was sent to marshall on the Dover coast and equipment—Ram tanks, guns, trailers—was waterproofed. The convoy departed on the evening of July 7 and dropped anchor the next day on Juno Beach; it was an uneventful crossing with no enemy action. All equipment now had to be de-waterprooofed and this was done under cover and personal danger.

Operation Goodwood, a British offensive, took place near Caen between July 18 and 20 and was the largest tank battle in Normandy; it failed. Operation Totalize began August 8; the Canadian Corps launched the attack using mechanized infantry and it was the role of the 6^th Regiment to supply anti-tank protection to the assaulting troops.  The Canadians broke through the German front lines, captured vital German defences, and captured Verrieres Ridge, a belt of high ground which dominates the route from Caen.

Sadly at 1300 hrs, Sergeant Bolton was killed by a mortar bomb which fell in his slit trench. He is buried in Grave 12, Row H, Plot 13 in the Bretteville-sur-Laize, Canadian Military Cemetery.

Gordon had 100 francs on him when he died. His personal effects were1 letter, 1 Ingersoll watch, 1 Sheaffer Jr. Fountain pen, 1 Leather Picture Folder, 3 photos, 1 black wallet, 4 snaps, 1 National Registration card, 1 pr pajamas, 1 red identity disc. Another inventory listed 1 kit bag, 1 pair swimming trunks, 4 khaki dress shirts, 2 pullover sweaters, 2 sweatshirts, 1 pair brown oxfords, 1 civilian raincoat. 1 towel, 1 black tie, 1 pair wool mitts. It's hoped these catalogued items were returned to his widow.

                                                            Canada Red Identity Disc                                                                  All soldiers were issued identification discs--one green and two red discs. Discs were stamped with the soldier's name, regimental number (or officer's rank), religion as well as the abbreviation CDN. The red disc was to be removed from a soldier's body when he was killed and turned in to the Commanding Officer of his unit, while the green disc was to stay with the body at all times. Also a duplicate red tag was carried in the soldier's respirator case.

In 1949, Gordon was posthumously awarded the Memorial Bar, 1939 Star, the France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, CVSM & Clasp. 

                                                                      1939-1945 Star

                                                                 France-Germany Star

                                                                        Defence Medal

                                                                         War Medal

Gordon's name is on the City of Guelph War Memorial, Guelph Collegiate War Memorial, and Page 253 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance in Ottawa.

                                                                Guelph War Memorial     

                                                                Guelph C.V.I. Honour Roll

                                        Commemorative brick at Juno Beach Museum, France                                                                                   -donated by students of  Guelph Collegiate

                                                        Book of Remembrance, Ottawa

                                           

GORDON WILLIAM BOLTON                                                                                                                       b. June. 18, 1913 in Guelph, Ontario                                                                                                             m. Kathleen Jessica Bennett (1914-1993) on July 31, 1937 in Palmerston, Ontario                                  d. August 8, 1944 in Caen, Dept of Calvado, France                                                                             my 3rd cousin 1x removed (Cook-Lemin line)

P.S. My research on Gordon's regiment led me to some rather intriguing details about a soldier's life in World War II.  These were his regiment's orders on safety, camp conduct and interactions with French civilians. Examples:

Native wine: All ranks are warned that native wine has been found to be poisoned by the retreating army and extreme care is necessary.

Private Purchase or Barter of Foodstuffs: The purchase of these commodities (from Bayeaux) is forbidden--bread, milk, meat, flor, all vegetables, eggs, Men, women, children's clothing. Barter for these items is also forbidden. Butter and cheese will be rationed to the civil population.

Small change: Due to the shortage of small change in French currency, it has been decided, as a temporary measure, to use tokens, These tokens will take the form of octagonal plastic discs with the value of 1 franc inscribed on the face.

Looting: Instances of looting, including the looting of gardens and all crops, will be severely dealt with. All personnel will be reminded re conduct towards prisoners and equipment.

Sale or gift of property to civilians: Instances are occurring of civilians in possession of War Department property particularly boots and other items of clothing. This is an offence to both the civilian in accepting a gift and to the soldier in disposing of property

Newspapers: NAAFI are paying for large numbers of British daily newspapers which are being taken overseas by the fastest practical route and are to be distributed free to army troops.

Postal Instructions: Reports have been received that parcels containing live ammo, booby traps, incendiary bombs, grenades and other forms of explosives, are being dispatched from the Continent back to the U.K. Apart from the illegality of this practice, serious injury or death of military and civilian personnel may ensue. No parcels will be accepted by the Army Postal Services unless the contents are clearly stated on the outside.

Local Milk: Cows' milk that has not been pasteurized is liable to contain the germs of bovine tuberculosis, septic sore throat, etc. Such diseases as Typhoid, Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria may be contacted by drinking milk handled by convalescents or carriers of these diseases. All cows milk purchased locally for use in messes, etc. before being used, will be heated to boiling temperatures and allowed to cool rapidly.

Criminal actions: All ranks will understand that houses and bungalows, whether taken over as billets or requisitioned or entered, on duty or otherwise, in an evacuated defence area, are private property. Their contents will be respected as such, and troops taking over, entering or guarding such property, or billeted in or near it, will be regarded as having special responsibility for the safety and care of the buildings and all their movable contents. The removal of any contents without authority will be regarded as a serious offence…[anyone who] steals an article shall be liable to suffer death or penal servitude for life.

It is an offence for a person to enter any premises, damage any property, assault any person or be found in possession of any offensive weapon or housebreaking instrument with intent to commit any offence punishable by penal servitude. Any person found guilty of any of these offences is liable to suffer death or penal servitude for life.

S.A.Fire: Personnel will not open fire on hostile aircraft or enemy flares unless being directly attacked or ordered to by an officer.

Theft of Rations: All soldiers should be aware that to be found in improper possession of rations and items of military equipment can be regarded in law as prima facia evidence of theft.

Fine Arts & Monuments: Damaged churches should not be demolished without permission of Civil Affairs Public Monuments advisor Second Army. Debris will not be remove for any purpose.

Hygiene: In order to minimize as much as possible, the danger of infection and disease in rest and rear areas, the following action will be taken: a) Empty food tins will be flattened and buried under a cover of at least 12 inches of earth. If empty pins are to be used as a filter for soakage pits, they should first be burned out and the bottom perforated. b) Troops will not bathe in rivers flowing through their areas. c) No latrine or urinal will be sited within 50 yds. of a river bank. d) Units will be responsible for ensuring that any portion of a river flowing through the area is not polluted with garbage or other refuse.

Rumours: In the interest of security and good discipline, circulation of unfounded rumours in the Regiment will cease forthwith.

Church Parade: Church parade will be held back of the Salvation Army tent at 1100 hours. All Protestant not on essential duty will attend.

Steel Helmets: Steel helmets will be carried by all ranks at all times, including walking out and will be worn in the event shelling of enemy is active.

Minefield Walking Signs: All personnel are warned not to interfere with Allied or enemy minefield marking signs.

Movement Vehicles: Only essential vehicles will move on roads. "Essential" vehs will be deemed to be water trucks, jeeps and MCs.

Civ Lands: Personnel will not enter cropped fields or growing areas unless necessary for op purposes. Civilians must be shown that we can look after their property. No pilfering of vegetables etc will be permitted.