Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

No.13 Platoon, "C" Company, The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's), 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

August 31st, 1944

Recommendation:
On 6 June 1944 on the assault and advance to the hinterland Lieutenant Schjelderup's outstanding leadership and courage when he and his platoon attacked at least four enemy MG positions in areas Vaux and Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer was a decided inspiration to his men. Despite a wound received in this action he carried on until the night of D-Day and left only when his platoon was safely dug in in its position for the night.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 31 August, 1944.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Captain

Unit:

"C" Company, The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's), 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On 6 October 1944 in the village of Oosthoek, D0302 near Aardenburg, Holland, at approximately 0445 hours, a German counter-attack, approximately 150 in strength over-ran “C” Company, commanded by Captain Vilhelm Roger Schjelderup, and completely surrounded Company Headquarters. This action lasted for two and a half hours; with the enemy throwing grenades in the windows, and firing tracer bullets into the building in an attempt to set it on fire. The small party under command of Captain Vilhelm Roger Schjelderup (MC), continued to fight on, killing or wounding thirty of the enemy and were only overwhelmed when all their ammunition was exhausted and the building was burning to the ground about them. By his outstanding action, Captain Vilhelm Roger Schjelderup definitely prevented a breakthrough to the Leopold Canal, and materially assisted the establishment of the bridgehead which later led to the complete destruction of the German forces on the South bank of the Scheldt Estuary. Captain Vilhelm Roger Schjelderup was determined to escape with his companions and to this end successfully concealed his knife from the enemy search parties. During the time the goods van in which they were confined as prisoner of war was standing on a siding, he and Sergeant Armando Gri were able to prepare an opening in the side of the van. On the 23 October 1944, when the train moved off for the Prisoner of War Camp, Captain Vilhelm Roger Schjelderup and his companions broke out, and made their escape.
75 days later, on the 6 January 1945, Captain Vilhelm Roger Schjelderup and two companions, after an exhausting journey over the ice and snow, returned to our lines bringing valuable information.