The son of Mrs. Elizabeth Giffin of 205 Park St., Chatham, ON. (later at Northwood, ON.) the brother of George, serving in England CDN 9/02/45.  

John enlisted 25 September, 1939 with the RCR in London, ON. and had served with that regiment since. In February of 1945 he was with the Transport Section of the Regt. He was a dispatch rider. At the time he was involved in the fighting along the Lamone river and beyond during the month of December, the fighting was very stiff – “but the Canadians proved their mettle and registered a notable victory.  The CDN 13/09/43(P) reported that he was serving with the RCR in the 1^st Canadian Division in Sicily. He had enlisted with the RCR when war broke out and proceeded to England with the RCR. His mother had recently heard from him he was “safe and well.” 

In February of 1945 he was with the Transport Section of the Regt. He was a dispatch rider. At the time he was involved in the fighting along the Lamone river and beyond during the month of December, the fighting was very stiff – “but the Canadians proved their mettle and registered a notable victory.

John counted himself lucky to get this leave only 39 men could be spared and they drew their names from a hat. “My name was the fifth to be drawn – my worries were relieved”. John left Italy on the 21^st of January, 1945 on his thirty day leave. We had a good reception as soon as they reached Canada. The Red Cross and the Canadian Legion had been “particularly kind to us”.

He arrived in London, Ont. On Wednesday and was in Chatham on Thursday. This was only the second group of men to arrive in Canada since the system of giving men a long service. “It was great to be home again” he declared “but it was rather tough leaving Italy knowing that so many of my pals are left behind and unable to come with me”.    

We have the got the Germans on the run and they must know they have no chance to win now.

His pals made many requests to look up their folks, “If I call on all the parents who addresses I have, I will have to travel all the way from Cornwall, ON. to Michigan and Alabama.” He did intend to see as many as possible. “You know home becomes much dearer to fellows when they are at the front on active service”.

He did meet Bob Draper, a great soldier, a serious wound cost him an arm. There was Jack Beddell, he is doing a good job and Rocky Anderson sadly was killed in action, “I know where he was killed”. George Vidler was driving a Bren Gun carrier in Italy.

The men think a lot about home when they have a rest period. They read all of the local papers that come there way right down to the advertisements and the farmer trying to sell a calf.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

CDN (09-02-1945(P))

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