WHITTARD, Ross Frederick

NAME              WHITTARD         Ross Frederick
RANK               Trooper                43035                                                                                                                                             1st Canadian Armoured Brigade - I Canadian Corps                                                                REGIMENT      12th Armoured Regiment     Three Rivers Regiment
                         “I am present”
                         Royal Canadian Armoured Corp                                                                                                BORN               December 21, 1920 - Brussels - Grey/Morris Townships - County of Huron - Ontario                DIED                 July 21, 1944          23 years   7 months           
CEMETERY      Arezzo War Cemetery - Indicatore – Arezzo - Tuscany - Italy
                         II A 9
Parents             Mr. Benjamin and Sarah Whittard - Brussels - Ontario                                                          Brothers            Ernest of Brussels                                                                                                                                                       Earl serving with Canadian forces overseas                                                                                                               Harold of St Catherines - Ontario                                                                                            Sisters              Mrs. Hilda Middleton of Atwood - Ontario                                                                                                                   Mrs. Mildred Self of Harriston - Ontario

Ross was born on December 21, 1920 in Brussels and attended Public School from 1925-33 and was in high school from 1933-38. He left school at the age of 17 after completing grade 12. From the time he completed his schooling until the time he enlisted he was a farm hand for a year for Clarke Thomas of Brussels and earned $6.00 per week plus board. He liked swimming, playing hockey and soccer. He would have attended St John's Anglican Church 

Canada

Ross then travelled to London on June 20, 1940 and enlisted into the Canadian Army with the Elgin Regiment. At the time of enlistment he stood 5' 6" and weighed 170 pounds. He had a dark complexion with blue eyes and dark brown hair. He was attached to them and trained until February 7, 1942.                                                  While in Toronto training he was granted furlough from January 25-February 8, 1941. His training then takes him to Valcartier.                                                                                                                                                            On January 5, 1942 he moves to A30 Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Sussex, New Brunswick. Then in March of 1942 he transferred to the Royal Canadian Armoured Corp. He transfers to the 25th Canadian Armoured Regiment - Elgins. He takes a tank gunnery course between May 9-June 23 and qualifies as a Gunner Class III. Then between June 25-August 9 he is on course and qualifies as a loader operator Class I. 

Overseas                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Trooper Whittard left Canada on September 26, 1942 and was Struck off Service of the Canadian Army in Canada and thenext day was Taken on Service with the Canadian Army in the United Kingdom. He disembarked in the UK on October 9, 1942. At the end of 1942 he was a gunner and a qualified loader but wanted to be a driver.                                                                                                                                                                      On January 11, 1943 the Elgin Regiment was re-designated as the 1st Canadian Tank Delivery Regiment of the Canadian Armoured Corps. He was granted leave from May 5-11. On June 16 Trooper Whittard was attached to the 2nd Canadian Medium Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery. On October 3 he was attached to the Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit and then on October 7 Trooper Whittard was attached to the  25th Canadian Tank Delivery Regiment.                                                                                                                  From the time he arrived in the United Kingdom until February 1944 he was in training. From northern Scotland, Trooper Whittard embarked from the United Kingdom and was Struck off Service from the Canadian Army in the United Kingdom. One day later he was Taken on Strength with the Canadian Army in the Mediterranean theatre and on March 3, 1944 he disembarked in Italy. On April 25 Trooper Whittard was Taken on Strength with the 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment - Three Rivers Regiment.                                                                                      The Sherman tank was the tank of choice due to the maneuverability it possessed. With the 75mm gun it
was no match for the German tanks, but when it was mounted with the 17 pounder or 105mm howitzer it
was more than a match for the German armour.
In the heat of the Italian summer, the Three Rivers Regiment fought their way forward in support of the
British infantry, inching along toward the Arno River and eventually Florence. The Canadians drove toward
Arezzo which was a strategic rail and road center. German resistance was persistent and stubborn and the
Germans fought for position, then withdrawing and moving to another position. While this was taking place
the terrain surrounding the Three Rivers was becoming more and more hostile for tanks. The terrain was
rugged, but the 1st Canadian Assault Troops lifted mines, filled craters and blasted routes for the tanks along
a sheer cliff face.   The Three Rivers Regiment continued the advance on the right flank of the 4th British Division. The terrain was poor for the tanks with vineyards and tall maize that restricted the field of vision.        The pursuit was now on to the Arno. The 13th British Corps advanced with three divisions with the Three Rivers in support of the 4th Division moving up Highway 69. On July 17 they entered Pergrine and a day later snipers of the Three Rivers Regiment and the infantry cleared Montevarchi. On July 19 the advance was toward Ricasoli with the Three Rivers supporting the infantry but during the advance two tanks were lost. On July 20 "A" Squadron entered Ricasoli. That same day the Three Rivers were relieved by the 25th British Tank Brigade.