• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

June 17th, 1921 (Glace Bay/Nova Scotia, Canada)

Date of death:

June 7th, 1944 (France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: II. Row: C. Grave: 4.

Service number:

F/78642

Nationality:

Canadian

James Patrick Williams was born on June 17, 1921, in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the son of Margaret Williams, who resided at 12 Murphy Street in Glace Bay. He grew up in a Catholic household and trained as an apprentice in acetylene welding before entering military service. At the time of his enlistment, he was unmarried and living with his widowed mother, who was listed as his next of kin and dependent.

Williams enlisted in the Canadian Active Service Force on May 2, 1941, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was assigned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, part of the Canadian Army. His regimental number was F78642. Following training, he was posted overseas, where he served during the Second World War.

During his military career, Williams experienced the routine challenges of service life, including disciplinary actions, but he remained committed to his unit. He embarked for Europe as part of the Canadian forces preparing for the liberation of France. On June 7, 1944, the day after the Normandy landings, Private Williams was killed in action in France at the age of twenty-two. His death was initially reported as missing in action before confirmation came that he had been killed. He was laid to rest northwest of Authie, France, in Cemetery 37/16 NE, where many of his comrades from the same regiment also fell.

Williams’s death brought profound grief to his family, particularly his mother, who had already endured the hardships of raising her family as a widow. She received his medals, memorial scroll, and the Memorial Cross in recognition of his service and sacrifice. His estate, including service pay and gratuities, was distributed to her as his next of kin. Official condolences were extended by the Canadian Army, with Major-General G. Letson writing to Mrs. Williams to express the nation’s gratitude for her son’s service and to acknowledge his sacrifice in the fight against tyranny.

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

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