| Rank | Trooper |
| Service # | A117288 |
| Unit # | 1st Canadian Parachute Bn. |
‘Jimmy’ was born on 3/01/1925 at Port Alma Son of Joseph (3130209 1st WOR. WWI) and Edith (nee Evans) Gillespie of R. R. #3 Merlin; (brother of OS. Gordon Alexander and Joseph) and Edith (nee Evans) Gillespie, brother of and Joseph Charles, V19662 sister Dorothy (Auther), Fern, Verna, Betty Lou, Vernon, Ken, He was educated in Merlin.
Prior to his enlistment, he was employed by the Union Gas Company of Port Alma.
He enlisted 3/02/1943 at Windsor, ON. in the Canadian Army. Basic training was done at No. 12 BTC. in Chatham, ON. and paratroop training at Shilo, Manitoba before going to England in July of 1943.
He saw action in Normandy, “stopping the German drive into Belgium.” It was in Normandy that he was wounded in the right arm and right side and spent many weeks in hospital, he had collected a German watch for his trouble, a souvenir of his exploits. The paratrooper bailed out with CQMS G. G. Trelean of Toronto over there objective southeast of Caen. The first two Germans they saw where drunk coming out of a chateau. The Germans had bicycles which the two paratroopers needed so they took them. They saw plenty of Germans who didn’t offer much opposition. The two men from Ontario participated in the capture of Verryfield and held it until the invasion forced caught up.
Both Trelean and Tpr. Gillespie passed through the Transit Hospital a Canadian-staffed institution in England which received casualties from France, cleared most out to the base hospitals in the North of England and Scotland within twenty-four hours and ended up in Canadian hospital in England.
Casualties were rushed in ambulance convoys, or hospital trains. The authorities estimated the minimum time to unload a hospital train carrying more than 300 casualties was three hours. Canadian personnel took exactly one hour and sixteen minutes to unload the same number of casualties. Canadian casualties had excellent first aid and urgent operative treatment. Sulfa drugs and penicillin was given as required on way to hospital.
When a casualty arrived at a transit hospital he was fed, put in a clean bed, examined briefly and immediately operated on. After he had rested, his case was reviewed and if required put on the next hospital train for further treatment.
Mrs. Gillespie received a letter which described his wounds and he was doing fine and she should not worry. The men wounded in the battle for France have lacked nothing in care and comfort. CDN Aug.44
The Merlin Standard 7 December, 1944 reported that Paratrooper Gillespie wished o thank the Alma gift club for the parcel he received in England.
James would be wounded a second time in Germany. He also served in Germany in the Rhine crossing. Trp. Gillespie was discharged 12/09/1945 at London, ON. BTC. No.1.
James married Verna (nee Ritchie) and they had one child Michael.
James passed away 26/11/93 and is buried in Tilbury.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | BTC, PA/GWI, KCFA, CDN (25/07/45), MD-RH, NB(P), ST, LM-LP, J. Currie - Notes |
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