• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

September 20th, 1920 (St. Peter's Bay/Prince Edward Island, Canada)

Date of death:

June 7th, 1944 (France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: XVI. Row: B. Grave: 7.

Service number:

F/59880

Nationality:

Canadian

William Lewis McKinnon was faised in a large family. William was one of several siblings, including brothers James, John, Eric, Glenson, and Ralph, and sisters Mary, Henrietta, Dorothy, and Cora. He received his education locally, completing Grade 8 before leaving school at age 15. Prior to enlistment, he worked as a clerk at Clark’s Grocery in his hometown, gaining a year of experience in retail. Though not a member of any trade union or professional society, he was fluent in English and had aspirations to return to mixed farming after the war, having grown up on a farm and accumulated five years of agricultural experience in Prince Edward Island.

William enlisted in the Canadian Active Service Force on September 6, 1939, at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, at the age of 18. He was assigned Regimental Number F-59880 and served with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. His military career included various postings and promotions, including a brief appointment as Lance Corporal and later Corporal. He was employed as military police and underwent several transfers and furloughs during his service. His medical records indicate he was in good physical condition upon enlistment, with no significant health issues.

During his time overseas, William served in the United Kingdom and was later deployed to Northwest Europe. Tragically, Corporal McKinnon was murdered by Waffen-SS soldiers on June 7, 1944, in France, during the early days of the Normandy campaign. He was initially buried in a temporary cemetery and later reinterred with full military honors at the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Calvados, Normandy, France.

Following his death, his parents were recognized as next of kin and received memorial items including the Memorial Cross and Memorial Bar. His estate included Victory Loan Bonds and a life insurance policy payable to his mother.

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