| Rank | Private |
| Service # | A102056 |
| Unit # | Essex Scottish Regiment |
Born in 30 May,1922 the son of Gilbert ‘Jack’ and Georgina St.Denis of 123 Raleigh St., Chatham, ON., the brother of Beulah. Jack attended Central Public School and Chatham Vocational School for one year. As a young boy Jack had been hit in the eye by a small stick leaving his left eye with only 20/200 vision.
Jacks father “had encouraged him to excel in whatever he chose to do.” He liked sports with softball and basketball his favorites. It was also not unusual for Jack to ride his bicycle to Erie Beach or Erieau a 26 km. ride.
Jack was involved in sports and was a member of a soccer team in Chatham. Leaving school behind he confronted a tough job market he was hired by George Tyndall as a truck driver, he worked part-time for the Reddick’s Taxi Co as a dispatcher. Prior to his enlistment he was employed at the American Pad and Textile Co. in Chatham where his weekly wage was $15.00.
Jack enlisted in Windsor, ON. at the age of 20 years old 20 April 1942 with the Highland Light Infantry. He trained at No.12 BTC – Chatham, Ipperwash and Camp Borden, ON. Before being shipped to Debert NS. At 5’ 10” and 163 lbs. he was just right for the army however it soon became evident that his eye-sight was poor. Jack received orders to return to Ontario.
For the next two years Jack trained at No.1 D.D. and other camp in Ontario and it was during this time that the Army tried to repair Jack’s eyesight.
He went overseas 17 June of 1944 attached to 2nd Canadian Hospital where he had worked as an orderly, but casualties had been very heavy so he was later transferred to the Essex Scottish Regt. for combat duty.
Jack was seriously wounded in the abdomen by shrapnel on 8 March, 1945. Jack was immediately rushed to a field hospital where the doctors attempted everything within their power. His parents had received a message stating that his condition was serious and that he was in hospital and Jack DOW 24 March, 1945.
Mr. Rispin delivered the Canadian National telegram to Jacks parents, which read:
“Sincerely regret to inform you A102056 Private Jack St.Dennis has been officially reported wounded in action eight March, 1945 and becoming dangerously ill ninth March 1945 nature of wound described as shell fragment wound penetrating abdomen STOP When further information becomes available it will be forwarded as soon as received STOP When addressing mail at words IN HOSPITAL in bold letter over name of addressee for quick delivery STOP To prevent possible aid to our enemy do not divulge date of casualty or name of unit.
Director of Records.
Jack was transported bt 23 Field Ambulance Unit to No.3 Canadian CC* for immediate intervention. Dr. Isaac administered a blood transfusion and major surgey performed right away and it appeared to have been successful.
Dr. Pennal reported that over the next three days jaundice had set in and Jack suffered a fever. The incision became infected and dispite the two transfusion of two bottles of blood and doses of Penicillin and additional surgery Jack died at 5 p.m. on March 24, 1945
Jack was buried in Groesbeek Cemetery, Holland along with three other CVS students.
Jack’s Mother and sister made a pilgrimage to Holland in 1972 to see Jack’s resting place. Two years later Beulah returned . This time she was escorted by the son of a Dutch family which had “adopted” Jack’s grave.
Curators note: Thanks to Peter Stanojevic ( retired teacher at Chatham-Kent Secondary School) who authored a book of CVS students in WWII “and they never came back”. Much of the details above are from Peters book.
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