Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

The Highland Light Infantry of Canada, 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

December 22nd, 1944

Recommendation:
Acting Captain Robert Bruce Menzies has served with the Highland Light Infantry of Canada in action from 10 October 1944 until 5 May 1945. At all times he has displayed personal courage and leadership of a high order and his initiative and persistence as Scout Officer were frequently responsible for securing information of great value to the success of subsequent operations.
During the period in Nijmegen salient, from 12 November 1944 to 8 February 1945, Captain Menzies personally led 20 patrols over the open polders and dykes of that sector.
On 29 December 1944, Captain Menzies led a patrol to take prisoners and make identifications along the Quer Dam. As the patrol approached what was believed to be the advance German position, it was fired on from a previously undisclosed enemy position to a flank. The patrol was subjected to intense small arms fire and several casualties were caused.
Although the situation was confused, Captain Menzies personally rallied the patrol and led them in a charge at the enemy position, where the necessary identifications were made. He then organized the withdrawal of the patrol and personally remained behind until the entire patrol and the wounded were safely away.
On 1 February 1945, Captain Menzies led a small recce patrol to determine the extent of a break in the Rhine dyke well inside the German positions. Although it was a bright moonlit night, this officer set out with two scouts over the open ground. To reach his objective he had to cross two enemy minefields, marking a safe route as he went. As the patrol neared their objective, they spotted a strong German patrol coming up the same dyke. Captain Menzies ordered the two scouts to withdraw while he remained with a Bren Gun and grenades to keep the German patrol off. By sporadic fire and grenades from different positions Captain Menzies enabled the patrol to get safely away, before he withdrew to our forward positions. He then quickly organized a stronger force and led them back out through the minefield in an effort to ambush the German patrol.
The unceasing devotion to duty and meritorious service rendered by this officer was reflected in the amount of valuable information accumulated during this period - information which had a marked effect on the later offensive operations in this area.

Royal Decree no. 2, 8 December, 1945.