• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

June 12th, 1923 (Lenore/Manitoba, Canada)

Date of death:

June 9th, 1944 (Bretteville-l'Orgueilleuse/Somme, France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: IV. Row: E. Grave: 11.

Service number:

H/42243

Nationality:

Canadian

Cecil Murray Borne was born to Laura Regina Borne and her husband, who predeceased their son. Raised in Oak Lake, Manitoba, Cecil grew up in a modest household and completed his education up to Grade VIII before leaving school at age sixteen. He did not pursue university studies or formal trade apprenticeship, but worked as a laborer, primarily cutting wood for Alec Cosgrove, a service station manager in Oak Lake. At the time of his enlistment, he was not affiliated with any trade union or professional society.

On June 24, 1942, at the age of nineteen, Cecil enlisted in the Canadian Army in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and was later redesignated to the 3rd Battalion of the same regiment. His military records describe him as a healthy young man with no history of serious illness, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 134 pounds, with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He was fluent in English and had no prior military experience. His medical examination categorized him as fit for service, and he was vaccinated and re-examined multiple times during his training.

Cecil trained as a Driver Mechanic, attending courses at the Canadian Driving and Maintenance School in Woodstock, Ontario. He was granted furlough and Christmas leave in December 1942 and continued his training through early 1943. His service record shows steady progression and commitment to his duties, with no disciplinary issues or hospitalizations noted.

Tragically, Rifleman Cecil Murray Borne was murdered by Waffen-SS troops on June 9, 1944, in France, during the early days of the Normandy campaign. He was initially buried in the courtyard of the Vice Mayor’s house in France, and later reinterred at Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. He was unmarried and had no children. His next of kin was his mother, Laura Borne, who resided in Oak Lake, Manitoba. Cecil was survived by two full-blood brothers, Gilbert Lorenzo Borne and Harved Nelson Borne, both serving in the Canadian Army, and one full-blood sister, Laura Sieta Borne.

Cecil left no will and held no significant assets beyond a Victory Loan Bond. His occupational history form indicated an ambition to continue working as a Driver Mechanic after the war.

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• Photo 1: Operation Picture Me
• - Service record(s)

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