Private Austin Havelock Munroe—Killed in Action March 25, 1945

 Austin Havelock Munroe was born in Little Dover, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, on December 2, 1919, the youngest of Edward Perry “Ned” and Mary Jane (Murphy) Munroe’s six children. Both of Austin’s parents were Guysborough County natives. Ned was born in Whitehead, the son of Moses and Margaret Munroe, while Mary Jane was born in Crow Harbour (Queensport), the daughter of Thomas and Martha (Ryter) Murphy.

Private Austin Haelock Munroe

Austin spent his childhood years in a rural community where educational opportunities were limited. According to a note in his military service file, he “lived far from school…[and] seldom had a teacher.” During the winter of 1932 - 33, Austin’s family circumstances changed dramatically. On December 25, 1932, his mother Mary Jane passed away at age 56, “due probably to cerebral haemorrhage.” Just over two weeks later—January 10, 1933—his father Ned succumbed to “chronic interstitial nephritis,” a kidney ailment.

Only 13 years old at the time of his parents’ passing, Austin was taken in by a local family. He soon left school and went to work in the local lobster fishery with Alexander Keefe, Little Dover, who may have also been his legal guardian.
 
Following the outbreak of the Second World War, soldiers were a common sight at strategic locations along Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coastline. Local militia units were responsible for securing sites considered potential German U-boat targets. In the case of the Guysborough area, that task fell to the Pictou Highlanders, whose ranks were placed on active service on September 1, 1939, more than a week before Canada declared war on Germany.

Perhaps the presence of soldiers in the local area prompted young Austin to enlist with the Pictou Highlanders at Canso on July 13, 1940. Ten days later, he formally attested with the Canadian Active Service Force (CASF) at Mulgrave, NS. Among its many tasks, the Pictou Highlanders provided personnel for garrison duty at two artillery batteries located at both entrances to the Strait of Canso. Austin served in the area throughout the summer and autumn of 1940.

Briefly admitted to hospital with a “mild” case of influenza on November 19, Austin was discharged to duty one week later. During the spring of 1941, he travelled to Valcartier, QC, for training. Upon returning to Nova Scotia in late April, he was stationed in the Halifax area for the next 18 months. During that time, Austin completed duty assignments at McNab’s Island and Devil’s Battery, Hartlen Point, in January and February 1942. Perhaps not surprisingly, exposure to the damp, cold conditions at both locations led to a brief stay in hospital in late March and early April.

Austin served in the Halifax area throughout the spring and summer months. On September 10, 1942, Canadian military authorities designated a component of the Pictou Highlanders as a “Special Infantry Company” of the CASF and mobilized its members for active service. Austin was among the personnel assigned to the Company. The group departed for garrison duty in Bermuda on November 6, 1942, and arrived on the island six days later. Austin spent the next 14 months at St. George’s Barracks, an assignment much more preferable to his previous winter’s experience in the Halifax area.

Austin returned to Nova Scotia in mid-January 1944. An assessment completed at the time described him as “a cheerful, eager youth of likeable personality and normal manner and interests.” While slight in build, “he is hardy and of good stamina….” While lacking significant formal education at the time of enlistment, Austin had “acquired a slight ability to read and write while in the unit…. He claims he can write and read his own mail… [and] wants to get overseas; he appears steady and of genuine spirit.”

In early March 1944, Austin was assigned to the Advanced Infantry Reserve Training Centre, Camp Aldershot. An entry in his service file noted, “It appears that he was sent to this centre in error. Munroe is an alert young man with a good attitude towards overseas service…. Satisfactory progress reported at refresher basic, is pleasant and co-operative.”

Upon completing the six-week training program at Aldershot, Austin’s superiors recommended a transfer to the Canadian Army Educational Basic Training Centre, North Bay, ON. He reported to the facility on April 28 and spent one month there before being assigned to No. 32 Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) Basic Training Centre, Peterborough, ON, in late May. At this point in his service, he appeared destined for a non-combat role once he arrived overseas.

A note in Austin’s personnel file provided this description of the three and a half months he spent at the Peterborough facility: “He writes letters home and can read his letters. States he studies the Reader’s Digest and papers to improve his spelling. He is light weight and will be best on general duty” with a Medical Corps unit.

On September 24, Austin was granted 10 days’ embarkation leave as he prepared to depart for the United Kingdom. During that time, he returned to Little Dover, where he married 20-year-old Annie Elizabeth Barry, daughter of Edmund and Mary Alice (Horne) Barry. The ceremony took place in Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Canso, on October 2, 1944.

The following day, an entry on Austin’s personnel selection form noted that he “did [his] advanced training with good efficiency and very good conduct.” As a result, he was recommended for “general duty” with the RCAMC and deemed “suitable for overseas service (operational).” In late October, Austin reported to No. 1 Training Camp, Debert, where he awaited orders to proceed overseas. Prior to his departure, he changed the next of kin in his service file from his former employer, Alexander Keefe, to his young bride Annie.

Austin departed from Halifax on November 25 and disembarked in the United Kingdom 11 days later. He was immediately re-interviewed by military officials, who determined that he was “suitable… for Inf Rft [Infantry Reinforcement] if priority demands BUT not considered combatant material.” As Canadian units had endured more than six months of intense combat since landing on Juno Beach, Normandy, on June 6, 1944, it is not surprising that any man deemed “suitable” would be assigned to infantry duty. As a result of this re-assessment, Austin was transferred from the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps to the Canadian Infantry Corps and assigned to No. 1 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment.

On February 2, 1945, Austin was placed on the Canadian Infantry Reinforcement List. The following day, he departed for the Western European Theatre. He spent one month at the Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Camp, Ghent, Belgium, before he was assigned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders infantry battalion on March 4. The following day, he officially joined the unit’s ranks.

The North Nova Scotia Highlanders (M. G.) was formed in 1936, following the amalgamation of the Cumberland Highlanders, Colchester and Hants Rifles, and “C” Company, 6th Machine Gun Battalion. In 1941, its title was shortened to “North Nova Scotia Highlanders.” The unit drew its personnel from the counties of northern Nova Scotia—Cumberland, Colchester, Hants, Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough.

Following the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, the “North Novas,” as they were known, actively recruited across northern Nova Scotia. In June 1940, the unit was assigned to the 3rd Canadian Division, where it later became part of its 9th Brigade. The North Novas’ 1st Battalion, consisting of 3,000 personnel, departed from Halifax on July 21, 1941, and arrived in Bristol Harbour, UK, eight days later.

As was the case with many other Canadian units, its personnel endured several years of training and defensive assignments before finally seeing combat. The North Nova’s first action occurred on D-Day—June 6, 1944—when the unit’s soldiers came ashore at 1046 hours as part of the second wave of landings. Following the establishment of the Normandy beach-head, the unit participated in the Battle of Falaise Gap and the ensuing pursuit of German forces as they retreated northward into Belgium.

During the autumn and winter of 1944-45, the battalion participated in the Canadian Army’s campaign to liberate the Netherlands, a hard-fought engagement that inflicted significant casualties. In February 1945, the 1st Canadian Army, which included the North Nova’s 3rd Canadian Division, participated in the commencement of the Battle of Germany, a three-month long campaign to clear German forces from the western Rhineland.

The North Novas’ first assignment of the campaign occurred on February 8, when 3rd Division units  cleared a flooded area between the Nijmegen - Kleve Road and the Waal, a branch of the Rhine that flows through the Netherlands. The task was a challenging one, as the area was flooded to a depth of eight inches and contained numerous mine fields. The unit’s 9th Brigade was relieved the following day and retired to Nijmegen until February 28, when its soldiers returned to combat, clearing German forces from the village of Udem.

The battalion remained in the line until March 11, when its soldiers retired to the Reichwald Forest for a rest period. Austin most likely joined the battalion’s ranks during this break from front ine service. Meanwhile, Allied forces continued to advance eastward, reaching the Rhine’s western banks by March 20. The next challenge—crossing the Rhine—was both symbolic and challenging, as it marked the beginning of a push into the heart of Germany.

“Operation Plunder” commenced with a widespread aerial bombardment of German defensive positions on the Rhine’s eastern banks during the early mornng hours of March 23. At 0900 hours, the first Allied units crossed the Rhine. The North Novas, assigned to reserve positions, made their way across the river above Emmerich during the late afternoon and early evening hours, and spent the remainder of the night preparing for their next combat assignment—clearing enemy forces from the community of Bienen.

At 0900 hours March 24, North Nova soldiers attempted to enter the area and immediately encountered fierce resistance. A second assault, launched at 1430 hours, was also met with immense counter-fire but succeeded in establishing a foothold in the area. Fighting continued for another 24 hours before the entire objective was cleared of enemy forces. During the two-day offensive, the unit’s “A” and “B” Companies suffered heavy casualties. A total of eight NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and 31 “other ranks” (OR) were killed, while seven Officers and 60 OR were wounded.

Map of Rhine Crossing (Source: C. P. Stacey, The Victory Campaign)

The attack on Bienen was Austin's first and last combat experience. He was one of the 31 OR fatalities officially killed in action on March 25, 1945. Nine days later, military authorities sent a telegram to his young wife Annie, stating: "Regret deeply F45309 Private Austin Havelock Munroe has been officially reported killed in action." 

Austin was initially laid to rest in the 3rd Canadian Division Temporary Cemetery, Rees, Germany, on April 5, 1945. Five days later, Annie received a letter from Major-General A. E. Walford, offering condolences on her husband’s death. Annie received no further information until August 2, 1946, when military officials informed her that “the remains of your husband… have been carefully exhumed from the original place of interment and reverently reburied in Grave 13, Row E, Plot 17, of Nijmegen Canadian Military Cemetery, four miles south-east of Nijmegen, Holland…. This is a recognized burial ground and will receive care and maintenance in perpetuity.”

Following Austin’s death, Annie married Allan James Munroe, son of George and Mary Martella Munroe, Little Dover. She spent the remainder of her life in the small Guysborough community. Annie Munroe passed away on March 9, 2000, and was laid to rest in St. Agnes Cemetery, Little Dover.

Photograph of Austin Havelock Munroe courtesy of Velda Myette, Little Dover, Guysborough County.