Memorial Cpl Frank Cherry

Frank was born on April 28 1921 in Prince Albert Sask. as the son of Herbert Frank and Winnifred Annie Cherry-Potter, of Victoria, BC. His parents were married in July 1918 in Southend-on-Sea in England.

His three brothers Robert Frank, Gerald Ernest, Grant Herbert Cherry also were in the Canadian Army overseas and the 4th brother Kenneth Donald Cherry was also at home in the Army for his training. His sisters were: Thelma Peggy and Phyllis Jane Cherry.
His profession was a miller and of belief the United Church.

He enlisted in July 1940 in Penticton BC and went overseas to the UK on September 2 1941 and became in October member of the 1 Bn Canadian Scottish Regiment of Victoria BC. And thereafter he participated in the landing of his regiment on June 6 1944 in Normandy. He was wounded on October 6 1944 and was promoted to Corporal on October 10.

Frank Cherry was granted the Military Medal on July 9 1944:
‘On the night of 8/9 July 1944 in the attack on Cussy (France), Lance-Corporal Cherry's Section Commander was wounded, after the first row of defenses on the objective had been taken. Lance-Corporal Cherry carried his Section Commander to a place of safety under heavy aimed fire from the enemy, then rallied the section [The Canadian Scottish Regiment] quickly and went on to capture the second line of defences. He is an outstanding example to his men, and has won the praise of all around him. His quick thinking and coolness under fire undoubtedly were responsible for the taking out of the enemy defences by his section’.

Frank was killed in action on April 10 1945 in Schalkhaar near this villa during the battle of Deventer at the age of 23. He was temporarily buried in Oxe near Deventer and reburied on December 17 1945 in Holten, on the Canadian cemetery in plot 1-B-6. At his headstone: Five brothers in arms, Four survive, Life’s work well done, Now comes rest.

Cherry Islets off Pitt Island southeast of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, have also been named in his honour

Medals: The Military Medal (awarded on November 4 1944); The 1939-45 Star; The France Germany Medal; The Defence Medal; The CVSM & Clasp; The War Medal.

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Source

• Text: Edwin van der Wolf
• Photos: Edwin van der Wolf