• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

January 28th, 1918 (Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada)

Date of death:

June 7th, 1944 (France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: X. Row: E. Grave: 16.

Service number:

F/59797

Nationality:

Canadian

Before enlisting, Joseph Ralph Arsenault worked as a labourer and lived with his family in Summerside. He married Anna Mae Arsenault, and together they had one son, Joseph James Ralph Arsenault, born on July 24, 1939. At the time of his enlistment, Joseph was 21 years old and had spent most of his life in his hometown.

He enlisted in the Canadian Army on September 1, 1939, at Charlottetown, joining the Prince Edward Island Highlanders. His early service was marked by steady progression through the ranks. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on September 29, 1939, and later to Corporal in October 1940. His record shows periods of absence without leave and subsequent reversion in rank, but also multiple promotions and assignments, reflecting a complex and active military career. He served with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders (NNSH), part of the 3rd Canadian Division, and was posted overseas during the Second World War.

Joseph’s service included various transfers, promotions, and disciplinary notes, as well as periods of leave and hospitalization. His dedication was further recognized with the awarding of the War Service Badge and the Memorial Cross, which was sent to both his widow and his mother.

On June 7, 1944, just one day after the D-Day landings in Normandy, Lance Corporal Joseph Ralph Arsenault was murdered by Waffen-SS troops in France. He was 26 years old. His death occurred while serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, and he was buried at Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France. His widow, Anna Mae Arsenault, was notified of his death and received his final pay and entitlements, including a small life insurance policy from Confederation Life.

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• Photo 1: Canadian Virtual War Memorial
• - MARGOLIAN, H., Conduct Unbecoming.
  - Service record(s)

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