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Rank Private
Unit # R.C.A.M.C. 17th Field Ambulance
Resident Blenheim, ON

The son of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Myers of Blenheim, ON. Donald was born in New Hamburg. Donald came to Blenheim with his parents in 1936. His father managed the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Blenheim. He was reported as 21 years old at the time of the article, CDN 29/11/44.

In a letter home on, he wrote about the raid, by British Commandos, on the German held Walcheren Island.

“Things were warm when the field ambulance went in 20 minutes after the first landings had been made, and then they really got hot.”

A dispatch after the battle relates: “we were all packed in together and the medical teams got just as much of a lacing as anyone else. Two landing craft especially fitted as hospital ships for the unit to evacuate casualties were sunk by mines on the run into the beaches, and after the first day, the sea became so rough that it was impossible to send the wounded men out.

There was some understandable confusion when the commandos hit the tiny beach under deadly fire.  There was a shortage of stretcher bearers for a short time, and Pte. Donald helped to make up the deficiency by going from the shell hole which was the first base of operations and lugging wounded men on his back. “

A letter received by his parents, Donald stated that he came through the affair in A-1 shape, outside of loosing some of his equipment. “We all did a good job and are completely satisfied that we were in such a unique operation. Our lot was no picnic, however, for we put up with sand and water, wind and rain, and cold weather in general, as well as the enemy.

Transportation was difficult. That is a story in itself. We took care of civilians, Jerries and ourselves.”


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