Remembering One of our Own
On June 6th, 1944 the Canadian Scottish Regiment R.C.I.C. landed on the beach at Normandy called Juno. They were in the first wave to land and endured heavy fighting. They secured their objectives and started to move inland. Among them was a young Oliver soldier, Private Thomas Duncan. Private Duncan survived the landing at Normandy and was part of the troops that continued to move inland gaining back precious French soil.
On D-day the Canadian S…cottish had a total of 87 casualties, but had inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and taken about 200 prisoners.
On June 8,1944 the Canadian Scottish were fighting in and around Putot-es-Bessin in their successful attempt to take the town of Caen. It was here that Private Thomas Duncan was killed in action. Private Duncan was the son of Alex Duncan and Agnes Dunlop Duncan and the husband of Anna Duncan all of Oliver, B.C. He was 26 years old. Young Private Duncan must have felt some sense of relief making it through D-Day only to fall two days later.
Now 72 years later, let each of us take a moment to remember the gallant men who fought for our freedom. We remember those who lost their lives and those who lived on to continue fighting to the end. Thank you Private Thomas Duncan.
Private Duncan is buried at BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Roll of Honour 1939 – 1945