Son of Orval and Rose Marie ‘Anna’ Crow, and brother Charles of Prairie Siding, Ontario, Canada. William had a brother, Sgt. Charles Crow, A59356 serving in the RCA.

William enlisted in Chatham, ON in 1942 and after training in Canada joined the Lord Strathcona’s Horse in England and proceeded with them to the Mediterain theatre and combat in Italy. Tpr. Crow was killed in action during combat at the Lamone River crossing while serving in the 2^nd Armoured Regt. CDN 28/12/44

Date of Death: 12/12/1944, in Italy.

The following letter was received by his mother Anna Crow:

Dear Mrs. Crow:

I’m writing to you because I want to tell you personally how your son William was killed in action against a German patrol.

I was William’s troop officer, and our troop was given the job of crossing the Lamone River and we were to clear the houses of Germans that were reported holding them. We crossed the river by assault boats without any trouble and we proceeded to move forwardto do our job. We chased the enemy out of the first two houses, and as we got into the third one he set up two machine guns outside and by firing at the windows and doors he managed to keep us pinned in the house. It was here that one of William’s pals got wounded a lad by the name of Leonard Turner (of Wallaceburg). In action at the house your boy put one machine gun out of action by killing two Germans with his rifle. We all stayed there until dark and fell back to one of the houses we had already cleared, and set up our defences for the night. About one o’clock the next morning a German patrol entered our house. William and the German corporal opened fire on each other at the same time, the result being they were both killed. The rest of the troops and I, seconds later opened fire and killed the remainder of the patrol. One other lad of the troop was also killed at that time.

I can say that William did not suffer in any way. He was shot through the left temple and died instantly.

Your son, Mrs. Crow, has always been an inspiration to the troop. He was always laughing and happy and did every job given to him cheerfully. Everyone of us join with you in mourning the loss of a great son, soldier and a swell fellow.

I hope in this letter I’ve done a little to ease your heartache in the sad incident. Goodbye for now Mrs. Crow, and remember I’ll be only too glad to answer anything you want to know that I might have forgotten.

Yours sincerely,

E. Gaunt, Lieut. “C” Squadron, 2^nd CAR, Lord Strathcona Horse (RC)

Canadian Army, Central Meditoranian Force.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	St. Peter’s Parish, East Tilbury Twsp. – Roll of Honour, Index of Overseas Deaths, CDN (11-11-1999)
Supplemental Information	Son of Orval and Rose Marie ‘Anna’ Crow, and brother Charles of Prairie Siding, Ontario, Canada. William had a brother, Sgt. Charles Crow, A59356 serving in the RCA. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. E. 23. Cemetery: RAVENNA WAR CEMETERY. PHOTO available in “Sesquicentennial Anniv. 1802 – 1952” booklet found at C-K Museum, Chatham.

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