Rank: Private, Service No: A/l17318.  Regiment: Lincoln and Welland Regiment, R.C.I.C. Son of David Alexander Lackie and Elizabeth (nee Kennedy) Lackie, of Chatham, Ontario. Born at Roseneath, Dumbartonshire, Scotland in 1924. He came to Canada with his parents when he was one year old. He was educated at Cedar Springs S.S. No.1 Harwich, Twsp., Kent Co. and at the Chatham Vocational School. John was a member of St. Andrews United Church, the Knights of St. Andrew’s and the Sons and Daughters of Scotland. He was well liked and popular among his school-mates.

John enlisted in Windsor, ON. in February, 1943. He received his military training at Chatham (BTC No.12), Ipperwash and Woodstock and went overseas in October of the same year. 

Age: 19, DOW – Date of Death: 15/08/1944, in France, while serving in the Lincoln and Welland Regt.    

Surviving were his parents, a brother, Charles and a sister Betty. A grandmother Mrs. John Lackie in Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Kennedy.  

Ian’s parents were first informed that he had died of wounds from the following letter received by his mother and reported in the Chatham Daily News 2/02/45.

Dear Mrs. Lackie,

No doubt you will have received word of the untimely death of your son.

I was not his platoon officer at the time of his death but from his personal friends and N.C.O.’s of his I have learned that he was extremely popular and held in high esteem for one so young.

It may afford you some consolation to know that he was killed instantly by a mortar shell. The action was Hill 88, one of the hardest battles in the recor of the “Lincs.”

And one which the regiment is justly proud. You may be proud that your son helped to carry the wave over the hill and across the Seine river.

At the present time he is buried across the Seine but at a latter date he will be placed in a central Canadian cemetery, the location of which will be sent to you.

It is unfortunate that the platoon officer who was at Hill 88 could not have written you himself, but with the rapid stream to and from the regiment this proved impossible.

May I tell how heartily sorry all of the platoon were when they heard of your son’s death. For one so young he had a great influence upon everyone and his determination was an example to all.

I wish to offer you my heart felt sympathy and to tell you that the record of the Lincoln and Welland and the reputation of the Canadian army as a fighting unit depends on the conduct of men such as your son. Without him and others of his temperament Hill 88 would have been a German not a Canadian battle honour.

Yous very sincerely.

John P. Stanton.    

Date of Death: 15/08/1944, in France. 

 

Afa: “Index to Overseas Deaths of Ontario Servicemen and Servicewomen 1939 – 1947” by Bruce Thornley & Clifford Collier indicates that Pte. Lackie did die of wounds (DOW); it was not uncommon for a ‘Kindess Letter’ would be sent to wives and parents suggesting that death was “instantanious”. JRH.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	City of Chatham Roll of Honour at McGeorge Bldg., Chatham, ON., Index of Overseas Deaths, CCI-RH, St.AUC-RH, BFL-Biography, IODE(P), CDN 26/12/44(P), CFF-FD44, WSD, CVWM,
Supplemental Information	on of David Alexander Lackie and Elizabeth Lackie, of Chatham, Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: XVI. E. 9. Cemetery: BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY.

Age

19

---

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.