A short blog about Corporal George Edmond Patenaude.

Corporal George Edmond Patenaude, Royal 22e Régiment.

George was born on 22 January 1920 in Ponoka, Alberta. He lived in Ponoka with his parents, two brothers and one younger sister.

On 25 November 1939 George enlisted in Edmonton and was shipped overseas after his basic training where he joined the Van Doos. In England he met an English lady, Nancy Evelyn Roberts of Caterham, who he married. Together they had one son, Edmond Joseph. In June 1943 he embarked for the Mediterranean and landed in Sicily on 10 July 1943 during Operation Husky.

On 18 July 1943 George earned a Military Medal for bravery which was awarded to him on 28 September 1943. The citation of the Military Medal reads the following:

"On the night of 18/19 July 1943 at Grottacalda, Sicily, Cpl Patenaude displayed bravery and skill in action in driving a carrier when the platoon came under heavy enemy fire. The personnel of the leading carrier were attacked and severely wounded by enemy in a pill box. Cpl Patenaude by skilful covering fire from his Bren enabled the bulk of the carrier section to reach safety. Later, though wounded, he seized a PIAT and rushed the pill box single handed silencing and capturing the post."

George suffered gun shot and shrapnel wounds from this attack and was evacuated from the frontline. He was transported to a hospital where he stayed until 10 August 1943. He was officially promoted to Corporal on 10 September 1943.

On 16 December 1943 disaster struck and George was mortally wounded in action near Ortona. He suffered a mortar wound round in his forehead which penetrated his brain. He succumbed of his wounds on 24 December 1943 and was initially buried at Vasto Military Cemetery. He was later reburied at Moro River Canadian War Cemetery.

Photo sources: Libraries and Archives of Canada, Operation: PictureMe, National Archives London