• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

March 9th, 1919 (Weirdale/Savatchewan, Canada)

Date of death:

June 11th, 1944 (France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: XII. Row: H. Grave: 1.

Service number:

L/154029

Nationality:

Canadian

Gilbert Harold Scriven was born in 1919 in Weirdale, Saskatchewan, Canada, into a large farming family. Raised in a rural environment, he left school after completing Grade VIII in a one-room schoolhouse and began working on his father's farm. His early years were shaped by agricultural labor, where he gained practical experience operating trucks and tractors and developed basic mechanical skills, though he admitted to being less confident with ignition systems. He later worked for two years as a mechanic’s helper in a garage and spent six months at Powell River operating grinders and conducting pulp testing.

Scriven enlisted in the Canadian Army on July 9, 1942, at Vancouver, British Columbia, joining the 6th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Canadian Armoured Corps). At the time of enlistment, he was single, quiet, and described as a dependable young man with limited imagination but solid character. He was not an expert mechanic but showed interest in trades training, particularly in automotive work, and was considered a potential driver-mechanic. His military records note that he had a chauffeur’s license and was classified as a Non-Tradesman Driver i/c. He underwent basic training at Dundurn and was medically categorized as A-1, indicating full fitness for service.

Scriven’s service took him overseas during the Second World War, where he participated in the Western European campaign. Tragically, he was killed in action on June 11, 1944, shortly after the D-Day landings in Normandy. He was buried with honor in the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France. His death was later linked to investigations into German war crimes.

His mother, Mrs. Edna Scriven of Weirdale, received the Memorial Cross in recognition of her son’s sacrifice.

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

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