Gerald was born on July 2 1921 in Milden Saskatchewan, the son of Simon and Helen Soanes of Flin Flon Manitoba. His sister was Verda M. Soanes.
He was a zinc plant apprentice at the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting in Flin Flon and member of the United Church.
He enlisted on June 26 1941 in Flin Flon and he went on August 31 1942 thereafter overseas to Glasgow Scotland. He disembarked on July 9 1944 in France.
He was killed in action on Friday April 6 1945 age 23 during the liberation of the town of Ommen while hit in his ‘Staghound’ by a Panzerfaust. He was temporarily buried in Ommen before being reburied on April 4 1946 in Holten as well as the in the same armoured car fallen Lt George T. Wilson age 24.
On his headstone: Greater love Hath no man than this, That a man lay down his life For his friends
He is mentioned at a plaque in Ommen together with the fallen Lt George T. Wilson.
He served with the 12th Manitoba Dragoons.
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