Chaske, Tom

Date of birth:: March 3rd, 1922 (Edwin/Manitoba, Canada)
Date of death:: December 12th, 1944 (Netherlands)
Buried on:: Canadian War Cemetery Groesbeek
Plot: I. Row: H. Grave: 6.
Service number:: H/8778
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Rifleman
Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C.

On 12 December 1944, a crew of thirteen RWR pioneers left their command post in a universal carrier pulling a small trailer loaded with picks and shovels to perform road repairs from the railway bridge back to regimental headquarters. Their vehicle had difficulty making the turn out of the gate, having to move back and forth a couple of times to do so. The intent was to drop men off along the damaged road to carry out repairs, but for some unknown reason the carrier suddenly moved to the verge (shoulder) on the north side of the road, and despite the driver braking and trying to steer back onto the roadway, it slid down into the ditch and rolled over. Lieutenant MacKenzie gave the command to jump and he along with five others managed to get clear of the carrier before it came to rest upside down in a few feet of water with a soft, muddy base below. MacKenzie dove under the water trying to find anyone who may be trapped and felt one body, but it was pinned underneath the vehicle. Tom Chaske was one of seven men who drowned that day in this terrible accident.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!