Of Dresden, ON. Son of John ‘Jack’ and Eva May (nee Wells) McKernan, of Lake Shore Road, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The CDN Sep. 44 reported that John was born in Windsor, ON. but spent the greater part of his life in Dresden. He attended public school and continuation school in Dresden.Prior to his enlistment he was employed at the Wallaceburg Brass Works. His father was with the RCMP as a guard on the Blue Water Bridge, Sarnia (he was a veteran of the Great War serving in the 18^th Batt.); he also had two sisters Florence (Dresden) and Mary (Wallaceburg).

John celebrated his 20^th birthday two weeks prior to his enlistment. At the time he was still underage when he enlisted for overseas service. He trained in Kitchener, Kingston and Nova Scotia. The CDN 19/05/43 reported that Jack was spending a two week leave from Kingston to spend time with relatives. The two week leave was pre-transport overseas.  He went overseas in 1943.

The DT 9/04/42 reported that Jack was serving with the Perth Regt. He had sent his thanks to the Red Cross Chapter, Catherine McVean  IODE, and the Ladies Dresden Knitting Circle for the sweater and Socks presented to him and to the Kinsmen for the money belt.

After their leave period the Canadians went back on the line in a defensive in Normandy.  “Operation Paddle”, it saw the Canadians again mobilized for offensive operations on August 16.  The 6 Airborne Division was tasked to harass enemy rear guard in a drive to the Seine River focusing on the enemy’s right flank.

The first action by the Canadians was at 0800 hrs when they were tasked to clear the Germans from the Bois-de-Bures.  The going was tough due to the many booby traps the enemy had set up to delay any pursuing forces but by nightfall the Battalion had crossed the Dives and had managed to engage the enemy’s rear guard.  Two days later, during “Operation Paddle II” the Battalion was given another difficult task, to capture the four bridges over the St Samson Dives sur mer Canal.

The attack was put in at 2300 hrs on August 18 with each company tasked to a different bridge.  A Company was the only unit to capture its bridge completely intact and duly named it Canada Bridge and decorated their new “trophy” with the Canadian Parachute badge.  By August 19 the area between the Dives River and St Samson Dives sur mer Canal were completely controlled by the 3rd Parachute Brigade.

The CDN Sep. 44 reported that John’s father was notified by the Dept. of National Defence that his son had been KIA. It is likely that Pte. McKernan was killed during operation Paddle, in France.

Age: 20, KIA – Date of Death: 19/08/1944, in France during “operation Paddle” (16 – 23 Aug. 1944). Service No: A/59800.

Pte McKernan was originally buried at Ranville just five and one half miles from Caen, he had celebrated his twentieth birthday two weeks prior to his death 

The DT 21/12/42 reported that Mr.Jack McKernan received further word of his sons death, killed in action 19 August in France. He was informed that Jack Jr. was buried in a grave at Ranville, France 51/2 miles north east of Cean on 20 August. 

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: IIA. E. 14.

Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY.

 

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,  IODE-CM, DT(3), CDN (2)

Age	17
Birthplace	Born- August 2nd, 1924
When Enlisted	1941
Next of Kin	Parents- Mr. Jack & Mrs. Eva (Wells) McKernan

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