• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

July 11th, 1916 (Timmins/Ontario, Canada)

Date of death:

June 11th, 1944 (France)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Bayeux
Plot: XVI. Row: A. Grave: 21.

Service number:

A/461

Nationality:

Canadian

William Ernest Simmons was a truck driver and mechanic before the war. He completed two years of technical training. Simmons was a member of the United Church

Simmons enlisted at Camp Borden on August 9, 1940, joining the 1st Hussars, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (R.C.A.C.), part of the 6th Armoured Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps (C.A.C.). He rose to the rank of Sergeant, serving with dedication and skill.

In June 1944, Simmons and his unit landed in Normandy, France, as part of the Allied invasion to liberate Europe. During the intense fighting that followed, Simmons was captured by troops of the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend on June 8, 1944. On June 11, 1944, while still a prisoner of war, Simmons was summarily executed—one of several Canadian soldiers murdered in cold blood during the Normandy campaign.

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• Photo 1: veterans.gc.ca
• - Service record(s)

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