Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Honorary Major

Unit:

Chaplain, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

May 24th, 1945

Recommendation:
On 15 December 1944 the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were holding a bridgehead over the Canale Naviglio north of Bagnacavallo. Orders were received to extend the bridgehead and at 1500 hours the battalion moved forward on a two-company front, "D" and "A" companies leading. First objectives were captured at about 1700 hours, and as the advance continued and the battle grew in intensity, reports of casualties began to come in. Accordingly, the ambulance vehicles from the Regimental Aid Post were moved forward as soon as possible to a crossroads which was now being held by "C" Company. Enemy resistance was violent, and shell, mortar and machine gun fire over the whole area was intense.
Nevertheless, the Padre, Honorary Major Roy Charles Henry Durnford, Canadian Chaplain Services, who had been visiting wounded at the Regimental Ad Post, went forward with the ambulances immediately they moved to the crossroads. Almost at once a German tank appeared on the left flank and started to shell the road leading to "D" Company, now on its objective, and it was impossible for vehicles to proceed. On foot, the Padre then led the stretcher-bearers forward, and although he had never bee over the ground before, he arrived at "D" Company's position at 1900 hours, having covered over 500 yards under continuous fire from machine guns, mortars and an 88-mm gun.
On arrival he organized the removal of the wounded using two prisoners of war as additional stretcher-bearers. Word was then received that "A" Company had wounded men waiting to be evacuated. The Padre was for setting off immediately to "A" Company which was now at Casa Zaboni, but "D" Company Commander would not permit him to proceed along the road as a German tank was sweeping the area with machine gun fire.
Honorary Major Durnford accordingly took "D" Company's casualties back to the Regimental Aid Post vehicle under intermittent machine-gun and mortar fire, and then set off on foot across country to "A" Company's position in spite of the fact that he had been warned that the ground might not be cleared of the enemy. As he drew near the company, the enemy shelling and mortaring increased in intensity, and there were unmistakable signs that a battle was still in progress, but this indomitable chaplain refused to be deterred or turned back. On arrival, he found that in fact the position was so far from firm, that no man could be spared to assist in evacuation.
There were a number of casualties, however, so once again Honorary Major Durnford pressed prisoners-of-war into service as stretcher-bearers. Having organized them himself, he led the whole party back alone, again under mortar fire and across country which he had not formerly seen, and which had not been mopped up by our troops. On arriving at the crossroads he found one of the ambulance vehicles broken down. He personally organized a shuttle service with the remaining vehicle and remained in the open at this crossroads, completely disregarding occasional mortar fire, until all were taken care of. He himself arrived back at the Regimental Aid Post at 0230 hours on the morning of the 16 December 1944 with the last of the wounded.
For a period of approximately eight hours this chaplain was continually under heavy enemy fire, in open country, organizing the evacuation of the wounded. With complete disregard for his own safety, and by personal effort far above the call of his normal duty, he assured that these wounded were able to receive medical attention, which otherwise would have had to be postponed until men could have been spared from the battle to evacuate them. Throughout this period his infectious cheerfulness and courage were a Godsend to wounded and unwounded alike.
His actions were an inspiration to all ranks and will be remembered for all time in the annals of the regiment. The splendid effect his presence had on the morale of the troops was an important contribution to the final success of the operation.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 24 May, 1945.