Dominic, Reginald Daniel

Date of birth:: March 30th, 1920 (North Vancouver/British Columbia, Canada)
Date of death:: July 30th, 1945 (Roosteren/Limburg, Netherlands)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Cemetery Nederweert
Plot: IV. Row: C. Grave: 8.
Service number:: G/54530
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Rank: Lance Corporal, Unit: 47 Transport Coy., Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. Son of Alexander Dominic, and of Louise Dominic, of Northlands, British Columbia, Canada.

Born on 30-03-1920 in North Vancouver. He was the son of Alexander Dominic & Louise George and grew up in Lynnmour, Canada. At the age of 15 he dropped out of primary school (Grade Seven). At 19 he started working as a lumberjack in Lynn Valley. Documents show that his ambition has always been to become a truck driver. Reginald was born of Squamish First Nation ancestors, Skwxwú7mesh. In addition to English, they also speak their own language, the Squamish language. This community pays a lot of attention to commemorating veterans. For example, he is mentioned on some "Aboriginal Veterans" pages and he is mentioned at certain commemorations. Veterans who have fought remain an important part of this community and have great respect for them.

When Reginald is 21 he volunteers on 18-06-1941 for the Reserve Formation, 110th C.A.R.T.C. with registration number K-600792. On 21-10-1941 he will start with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in the so-called Red Deer army base. On 04-12-1941 he will sign his attestation paper and undergo a medical examination, after which he will go home on leave until 08-01-1942. After this he will start at the 6th Division Supply Column in Valcartier Camp.

During his stay he will move up several ranks. On 01-07-1942 he is promoted to rank Lance Seargant. He is also appointed driver on 27-07-1942, which has been his goal for a long time. At one point, on 28-12-1942, he was transferred back to Lance Corporal. So the attached photo was most likely taken at Valcartier Camp when he was briefly the rank of Lance Seargeant between July and December 1942.

Preparations for D-Day will begin when he is first transferred to Transient Camp in Debert, Nova Scotia. This will happen on December 28, 1942. They will stay here for a while when they take a 3-hour train journey from Debert to Halifax on 03-02-1943. On 05-02-1943 they leave by boat, the S.S. Empress of Scotland and cover a distance of 3142 miles. They will arrive on 11-02-1943 in Glasgow.

Unfortunately, the period in England has not been well described or found until now. In documents further training takes place where he is placed in the 47th Canadian Transport Company and also obtained a Good Conduct badge on 05-12-1943. Finally they will travel to Normandy on 15-06-1944.

Ultimately, it will be positioned in South Limburg, near the train station in Sittard. He transports coal from the mines in Heerlen to places in the rest of the Netherlands.

Unfortunately, fate strikes on 30-07-1945 around midnight. After a night out in Maaseik with some friends, they drive back in a Mack truck and crash just across the canal at Roosteren. After crossing the bridge, the driver lost control of the wheel and the truck left the road and ended up on its head. According to the official report on this event, it turned out that the driver had been drinking too much. In the village of Roosteren they had picked up some women who needed a lift to Susteren. For this reason, Reginald sat on the roof of the cabin and fell badly in the accident. After a patient transport to the hospital of Liège, Belgium, he eventually died of his injuries (15th General Hospital, Citadelle, Liège/Plant #4345).

After his death, his belongings were sent to his mother on 22-09-1945. This concerned a few photos, negatives and wooden souvenirs such as a Dutch windmill and cigarette box. His "Will" which he drafted on 8/9/1943 says the following: "In the event of my death I give the .. of my property and effects to my mother Mrs Louise George."