• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

May 2nd, 1905 (Owen Sound/Ontario, Canada)

Date of death:

June 10th, 1944 (France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Bretteville-sur-Laize
Plot: XXIV. Row: B. Grave: 3.

Service number:

B143684

Nationality:

Canadian

Ernest Nelson Gilbank spent much of his life in the same town, working in various trades including clerical work, sailing on the Great Lakes, and ultimately establishing himself as a skilled carpenter. His early years were marked by resilience, especially during the Depression, when steady employment was hard to come by. Despite these challenges, Gilbank maintained a reputation for reliability and maturity, with a cooperative and confident demeanor that earned him respect both in civilian life and the military.

He married Roberta Jean Gilbank on August 22, 1942, and they lived together at 757 3rd Avenue East in Owen Sound. Roberta, a librarian, shared his love of reading, and Ernest spent much of his spare time immersed in fiction and biographies. His family ties were strong—he had several siblings, including brothers who also served in the military, and his parents, William Frederick and May Victoria Gilbank, remained in Owen Sound.

Ernest enlisted in the Canadian Army on March 4, 1943, joining the Regina Rifles Regiment. His prior experience in the Reserve Army, where he had attained the rank of sergeant, positioned him as excellent material for leadership and instruction. He trained extensively, qualifying in infantry weapons and as a driver, and served as an instructor on the 6-pounder anti-tank gun. His aptitude for mechanical tasks and his disciplined nature made him a standout among his peers.

Private Ernest Nelson Gilbank landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, but was quickly surrounded, along with Private L.W. Lee, by Waffen-SS troops. He was murdered by his guards on June 10, 1944. He was initially buried near Rots, France, and later reburied with honors at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery.

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• Photo 1: Findagrave
• - MARGOLIAN, H., Conduct Unbecoming.
  - Service record(s)

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