• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

August 2nd, 1918 (Sydney Mines/Nova Scotia, Canada)

Date of death:

June 7th, 1944 (Authie/Somme, France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: II. Row: A. Grave: 10.

Service number:

F/55226

Nationality:

Canadian

Anthony Julian was raised in a Roman Catholic household on Pond Street. He was one of several siblings in a working-class family. Before enlisting, Anthony worked as a laborer and coal miner for the Dominion Coal Company in Sydney Mines, earning a modest wage and contributing to the household. His formal education ended around Grade 2, and while he had no university or technical training, he was fluent in English and had a stable occupational history. He was single, had no children, and lived with his parents at the time of enlistment.

On June 10, 1940, at the age of 21, Anthony Julian enlisted in the Canadian Active Service Force in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He was assigned to the Cape Breton Highlanders and later transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. His medical examination revealed a healthy young man of medium build, standing 5 feet 4½ inches tall and weighing 130 pounds, with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He was deemed fit for service and began basic training shortly thereafter.

Anthony’s military career was marked by steady service and a few disciplinary infractions, including brief periods of absence without leave and minor offenses such as neglecting blackout procedures. Despite these, he was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, and participated in multiple training courses, including sanitation instruction at Aldershot. His duties included general service tasks and rifleman responsibilities, and he served in both Canada and the United Kingdom before being deployed to continental Europe.

On June 6 1944, Anthony Julian landed in France as part of the Allied invasion. Tragically, he was murdered by Waffen-SS soldiers on June 7, 1944, during the Normandy campaign. Initially buried in the field southwest of the church in Authie, his remains were later reinterred with honor at Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France. His death was officially confirmed and communicated to his mother, Mary Ann Julian, who was listed as his next of kin.

Anthony Julian’s service and sacrifice were formally recognized by the Canadian government. His estate, including war service gratuity and personal effects, was distributed to his parents. His name was later mentioned in connection with investigations into German war crimes.

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• Photo 1: Canadian Virtual War Memorial
• - Service record(s)

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