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Waugh, Nicol Robert "Bob"

Date of birth:
July 22nd, 1908 (Nasirabad, British India)
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Referred to by fellow soldiers as "the perfect specimen" Nicol Robert Waugh was born in the central provinces of India on July 22nd, 1908 as son to Charles Waugh and Mrs. Waugh. Bob Waugh was educated at Lawrence Royal Military College, Simia, India and at the age of 19 years enlisted in the Inniskilling Dragoon Guards on the northwest frontier of India, where he was located for two years.
He studied at Sandhurst Royal Military College, Surrey England for two years and then served in Sherwood Foresters for two years. He subsequently served for two years with the police force in Shanghai, China returning to England where he served with both the police force and fire department in London.
Bob Waugh came to Canada in 1939, and immediately at the outbreak of war, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps. He spent Xmas of 1939 on the trip overseas. Upon arrival in England he was quickly promoted and subsequently took the officers training course and became associated with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiments. He was one of the first soldiers going overseas from Canada to secure his 'pip' in April 1940. The following month he received his second 'pip' and in June was promoted to second in command of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiments. He came to Canada in January 1942, and went to Long Branch Toronto, where he served as an instructor and received his Captaincy.
In June 1942 Captain Waugh went to Cornwall, having been placed in charge of the NCO class at basic training Center 31. He continued those duties until January 1943 when he returned to England and went to Sicily with Hastings and Prince Edward Regiments in the first Canadian Division and is still there in the capacity of company commander.
Captain Waugh was married in England on September 15, 1940 to Joy Murdock at Capal, Surrey. Mrs Waugh accompanied her husband back to Canada and for sometime made her home in Cornwall.
Two brothers of Captain Waugh served under General Montgomery in the British Eighth Army and a sister, as a nursing sister in the British army.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Captain
Unit:
"C" Company, The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army
Recommendation:
"In the attack on Valguarnera, Sicily on 18 July 1943 “A” Coy Hast & PER were forced to take up an alternative position due to heavy enemy fire. Capt Waugh having personally directed the move of his men to the new position, stayed behind to rescue C.6492 Pte Emigh who had been seriously wounded, and carried the injured soldier through extremely heavy machine gun fire to safety. Throughout the whole action Capt Waugh set an example of cool courage and devotion to duty, which was an inspiration to all ranks."
Military Cross (MC)

Sources

Photo