WorldWar II
FallenSoldiers - RockwoodCenotaph
Page 34
GEORGEROBERTWARE
A35224Gunner
Born:
8May 1917 inNassagaweya, Ontario
PreviousOccupation:
Farmer
Enlisted:
1 June 1940 inGuelph, Ontario
Died:
15August 1944 at the age of 27
Buried:
BayeuxWar Cemetery inBayeux, Normandy, France
GeorgeRobertWarewas born on 8May 1917 inNassagaweya, to
Albert andAliceWare of Rockwood. Hewas one of five children (Albert
Henry,Alice, EvelynPamela andPeaceAlbert Bruce). Georgewas
raised inRockwood and attendedEramosaS.S.#9 inRockwood. After graduating, heworked as
a farmer and operated farm tractors and equipment. Prior to enlisting for overseas service, hewas
amilitiamember of the 43rdBattalion of theRoyal CanadianRegiment headquartered inLondon,
Ontario.
On1 June 1940, GeorgeRobertWare enlisted in the12thFieldRegiment of theRoyal Canadian
Artillery (RCA), headquartered inGuelph. He completed his basic training and inMarch 1940,
hewas sent toCampSussex inNewBrunswick for further training as a tank driver/mechanic.
After completing this course on17February 1941, hewas assigned to theRegiment’sGuelph
Headquartered16thBattery. He embarked fromHalifax and arrived in Liverpool, England on30
July 1941. Theywere equippedwith the very good performingSorel, Quebecmade 25-Pounder
FieldGun/Howitzer. GunnerWare and his 12thFieldRegiment RCAwere part of the 3rdCanadian
Division. Hewas stationedwith his regiment inEngland until they landed at JunoBeach, Normandy
onD-Day, 6 June1941.
OperationTractable
(14August to 16August) was an important part of the larger, overall battle
of theFalaiseGap / FalaisePocket. The heavyCanadian losses duringOperationTotalizewere
inflicted by some of the strongest opposition on theNormandy front. After re-grouping, the launch
of OperationTractable on 14August was a concentrated effort to break through theGerman lines
towards Falaise. Supporting the groundattack, RAF andRCAF aircraft were providing tactical air
support. Unfortunately, in the afternoonof 14August, they attacked short of their target within the
German lines and for an hour, their bombs fell on theCanadianartillery and transport areas.
Thesewere the conditions in the afternoon of 14August whenGunner GeorgeRobertWarewas
severely injured by a bomb blast. Hewas initially taken to aFieldAmbulanceStation and then
transferred toaFieldHospital, followed by amore capableGeneral Hospital. Hiswoundswere
too severe and he died in the earlymorning of 15August 1944. Gunner GeorgeRobertWarewas
buried in theBayeuxWar Cemetery inBayeux, Normandy, France. His name is alsomemorialized
in theBooks of Remembrance in thePeaceTower of theCanadianParliament Buildings, Ottawa.
