Holness, Frederick William George

Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:: December 15th, 1922 (Toronto/Ontario, Canada)
Date of death:: June 8th, 1944 (France)
Buried on:: Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: XIII. Row: C. Grave: 11.
Service number:: B/79614
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Frederick William George Holness was the son of Albert George Ernest Holness and Irene Margaret Holness. He grew up at 56 McMurray Avenue in Toronto and attended public school, completing Grade 8. Before enlisting, he worked as a pipe fitter’s helper and held jobs at A&P Warehouse and the CPR Roundhouse in Toronto.

Holness enlisted in the Canadian Army on September 2, 1941, at the age of 18. He was assigned Regimental Number B-79614 and began his service with the Irish Regiment of Canada. Over the course of his military career, he trained at various depots and was attached to several units, including the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Lorne Scots. Eventually, he was transferred to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, where he served as a rifleman and qualified as a 3-inch mortar man.

Despite a record that included several minor disciplinary infractions such as brief periods of absence without leave and failure to comply with orders, Holness was considered cooperative and suitable for infantry duties. He was deployed overseas in June 1942 and participated in the Normandy campaign following the D-Day landings.

On June 8, 1944, during the early stages of the Normandy invasion, Holness was reported killed in action. However, it was later confirmed that he had been captured and murdered by enemy forces while a prisoner of war on June 9, 1944. He was just 21 years old.

His sacrifice is commemorated on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial and on memorials in Putot-en-Bessin, France, and at St. John’s Anglican Church in Toronto.

His estate, including war service gratuity and pay, was bequeathed entirely to his mother, Irene Holness, as per his last will signed in March 1944.

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