• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

February 2nd, 1918 (Montmartre/Saskatchewan, Canada)

Date of death:

June 8th, 1944 (France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: XIII. Row: H. Grave: 10.

Service number:

H/40785

Nationality:

Canadian

George Andrew Brown was the son of George W. Brown and Hazel Vivian Brown and grew up in Spy Hill, Saskatchewan. His family had Dutch and American roots, and he was raised in the United Church faith.

George completed four years of high school and worked as a farmer before enlisting. He also held a brief job in road repair as an unskilled laborer with the Canadian National Railway. He was fluent in English and had no dependents at the time of enlistment.

George enlisted in the Canadian Army on June 15, 1940, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was assigned Regimental Number H40785 and joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. His military career included:
• Initial rank: Private (Pte), later promoted to Rifleman (Rfn), and eventually Acting Corporal (A/Cpl)
• Training and service across Canada and the United Kingdom
• Specialist roles including Signaller and Clerk
• Medical classification: Category A (fit for general service), though he was treated for a minor inguinal hernia in 1941

He was described as physically fit, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a fair complexion. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed approximately 142 pounds.

George was deployed overseas in October 1941 and served in the United Kingdom before participating in the Normandy landings. He disembarked in France on June 6, 1944, and was murdered by Waffen-SS soldiers on June 8, 1944.

George was initially buried in a cornfield near Les Saullets, France, due to the advanced state of decomposition of the bodies. His remains were later exhumed and reburied with honor at the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France.

His grave is maintained in perpetuity, and his mother received a photograph of the grave and confirmation of its location.

In 1945, George's name appeared in investigations related to German war crimes. It was suspected that he may have been executed while a prisoner of war, though official confirmation was pending at the time.

George left a will dated September 22, 1942, naming his mother, Hazel V. Brown, as sole beneficiary. His personal effects included:
• Photographs, camera, wallet, flashlight
• Military memorabilia such as cap badges and identification discs
• War Savings Certificates and Victory Loan Bonds

His estate was valued at $709.29, which was paid to his mother as part of the War Service Gratuity.

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