Born 9/09/1924 in Camden Twsp., the son of Hugh and Dolly McFadden, brother of Hazel (Somber), Betty (Camden), June (Harris), Bob (twin of Betty), Jim and Roy who also served in the Army originally of Tupperville, Ontario.  Prior to his enlistment he ws employed in farm work.   

Hugh joined the merchant marine when he was too young to join the army sailing on the S. S. Riverton. Hugh did enlist in July of 1942, reportedly with the Essex Scottish.  He trained in Canada at London, Kitchener and Camp Borden. Though never married, he did have a girlfriend while in the army, Mildred LaPointe, her picture was in his personal belonging that was sent home.

The WN 17/08/44 reported that on Friday, 11 August Mr. and Mrs. McFadden were informed that their eldest son Hugh had DOW 26 July, 1944. He had been seriously wounded on 25 July in France and passed away the next day.

He received CFSM / Clasp Defence of Britian Medal, France – German Star + Silver Star. (family information)

A chance visit to the Beny-SurMer cemetery by Tony Jacobs of Hamilton, but grew up on the family farm near Kent Bridge, his son Steve who was reading the registry of those buried there spotted the name Pte. H. McFadden – Tupperville, ON. jumped out to his attention.  Tony said “Of all the people and all of the soldiers, 3,000 miles from home and we come across this. It was meant to be.”

The family took a picture of the grave marker and sent it to the Chatham Daily News in the hopes they could give the photo to a family member. With the information found on “Gathering Our Heroes” they found eighty-four year old Betty Camden (nee McFadden) residing in Camden, the one of two surviving siblings of Hughie.

According to the CDN article she and Hughie were very close, “I was beside him every time he took a step.” He was her way of getting away from the farm on weekends. Sadly she was the only one home when the news came that Hughie had been killed.

Curators note: Pte. McFadden actually Died of Wounds, perhaps at a casualty aid station or at a hospital? JRH.     

“It was terrible. Nobody knows it until they go through it and I hope no body has to.” Betty did get to visit her brothers grave during a trip to Europe for her 25^th wedding anniversary. “We just seemed to walk in and the grave was right there. That’s one beautiful place.”

Curators note: Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is located at Calvados, France. It contains 2,048 graves mostly  3^rd Division Canadians that died on D-Day 6 June, 1944 or during the advance on the city of Caen, France. Of the 2,048 burials 19 are unidentified. JRH. 

Age: 21, DOW – Date of Death: 26/07/1944, in France during landings on Normandy beachhead.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: XII. G. 5.

Cemetery: BENY-SUR-MER CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, REVIERS.

 

 

 

Hughie was a member of the I.O.O.F in Tupperville and their flag was lowered to halfmast in honour to his service 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	C.V.S.M. with Clasp, 1939 to 1945 Star, Defense of Britain Medal
Sources	Dresden Roll of Honour, Index of Overseas Deaths, Wallaceburg – Roll of Honour, family information from Mrs. Mary McFadden, CVWM(P), Katherine McFadden
Supplemental Information	Born 9/09/1924 in Camden Twsp., the son of Hugh and Dolly McFadden, Concession 1, Camden Twsp., brother of Hazel (Somber), Betty (Camden), June (Harris), Bob (twin of Betty) Jim and Roy who also served in the Army originally of Tupperville, Ontario. Prior to his enlistment he was employed in farm work. Age: 21, DOW - Date of Death: 26/07/1944, in France during landings on Normandy beachhead. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: XII. G. 5. Cemetery: BENY-SUR-MER CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, REVIERS.

Age	20
Birthplace	Born- September 9th, 1922
When Enlisted	July 1942
Next of Kin	Parents- Mr. & Mrs. Hugh McFadden Sr.

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