McGinnis, William Joseph

Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:: April 19th, 1908 (Halifax/Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date of death:: June 7th, 1944 (Authie, France)
Buried on:: Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: II. Row: C. Grave: 8.
Service number:: F/56802
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

William Joseph McGinnis was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he lived for most of his life. A Roman Catholic by faith, McGinnis was the son of William James McGinnis and Grace McGinnis, and part of a large family that included several brothers and sisters. Before enlisting in the Canadian Army, he worked for thirteen years as a longshoreman in Halifax. He also had experience as a harbour construction worker, and was familiar with operating heavy vehicles such as trucks and farm tractors.

McGinnis enlisted in the Canadian Army on April 27, 1943, at the age of 35, joining the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, an infantry regiment. His service number was F56802. He had no prior military experience and was single at the time of enlistment, with his mother listed as his next of kin. His attestation papers and medical examination show that he was in good health, with no history of serious illness, and was deemed fit for service. He was described as having a dark complexion, brown eyes, and stood approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds.

After training in Canada, McGinnis was deployed overseas in August 1943. He served in the United Kingdom before being sent to Northwest Europe, where he took part in the Allied invasion of Normandy. On June 7, 1944, just one day after D-Day, Private McGinnis was murdered by Waffen-SS soldiers in France. His death was officially recorded by Canadian Military Headquarters, and he was initially buried in a temporary grave near Authie, Normandy. Later, his remains were reinterred with full military honors at the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France.

McGinnis left behind a handwritten will dated September 11, 1943, in which he bequeathed all his possessions to his mother, Grace McGinnis. His estate included a Victory Loan Bond and qualified him posthumously for several military honors. His mother received a Memorial Cross and other commemorative items in recognition of his sacrifice.

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