Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

"B" Company, The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

August 31st, 1944

Recommendation:
On the 6 June 1944, G/63194 Pte Harry Wellington Blakely, B Company North Shore (NB) Regiment during the attack on the immediate battalion beachhead at St. Aubin-sur-Mer brought vital information concerning his platoon to his company commander stating that they were pinned down by mortar and machine gun fire and that neither advance or withdraw and if some supporting fire could not be obtained the platoon would be completely wiped out.
To do this Pte Blakely had to cross an open area swept by enemy MG fire which he did with complete disregard to his own personal safety.
Pte. Blakely then returned to his platoon with information that assistance would be given to them.
Having cooly completed this task, he went to the section with the greatest number of casualties and immediately rendered assistance to the wounded and removed them to a safer area.
His coolness, initiative and bravery saved the lives of many of his comrades in his platoon.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 31 August, 1944.