Milton Coll McNaughton

Military Medal, 1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, 1939-1945 War Medal

Royal Canadian Engineers WW II

Coll was born 26 December 1914 to Neil and Bertha (Sandercock) McNaughton. He was the 2nd of 7 children and his siblings were Thomas, Vera, Don, William (Gordon), Margaret and Irene. The family lived in the Opawaka School District which is in the Rural Municipality of Thompson, southwest of present day Miami, Manitoba. The family eventually moved to the Edgar Sandercock farm, one mile north of Morden, Manitoba. After finishing with school Coll went to work in forestry and also road and runway construction as a heavy equipment operator. In 1940, when two of his brothers enlisted in the army, Coll returned to the farm to help his brother Thomas. After some time Thomas was able to take over the farm operation

Coll’s brothers, Donald a Captain and William a Warrant Officer 2nd Class, both with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada were serving in Europe. Coll followed suit and enlisted on 19 September 1942 just prior to his 28th birthday. Due to his work experience in forestry, construction and operating heavy equipment, he was assigned to the Royal Canadian Engineers. After some initial training at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba and Chilliwack, British Columbia, Sapper McNaughton believed he could pass the Special Engineering Equipment (S.E.E.) operators test and challenged the Grade 111 test. His challenge was successful as his record states, “This soldier does not require trade training, as he has been trade tested as an Operator S.E.E.”

On 22 March 1943 Sapper McNaughton was transferred to the U.K. and arrived 01 April. He remained there until 28 June when his unit was sent to Sicily arriving 10 July 1943 and eventually to Italy. During his time in Italy his engineering unit served with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division and it was later in the year when he was recommended for the Military Medal.

The recommendation reads;

“On the night of 8 December 1943 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade attacked across the river Moro in Italy. 3rd Canadian Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers were to build a diversion across the river after the infantry had established a bridgehead. Sapper McNaughton with bulldozers were placed under the command of the 3rd Field Company to assist in this task. At 1800 hours since it was not known whether the infantry had been successful it was decided to send a small party to commence work.

Sapper McNaughton drove his machine down an exposed road to the bend of the river. He then recced a route across the river in order that he could start work on the enemy side of the river. This route at its most distant point was 400 yards from the river on the enemy side. Without the slightest hesitation Sapper McNaughton began to walk to his machine along the route. At one point he was sky lined and came under heavy machinegun fire but fully realizing the urgency of his task he carried on. He reached the site and commenced working. Under continual machine gun, mortar and shell fire Sapper McNaughton quickly and skillfully cut down the far bank. On the initiative, skill and bravery of this operator depended the success of the whole operation, for without the supporting tanks which crossed the river at 0700 hrs 9 December the infantry would have been in great difficulty.”

The recommendation was approved 31 March 1944.

On 12 January 1945 Sapper McNaughton request compassionate leave as two of his brothers were serving in Europe and his third brother had his own family now to support. His sister had left a Post Office position to help the ailing mother on the farm. The Children’s Aid Society of Central Manitoba got involved and reported the following to the Department of National Defence. “We would recommend that the soldier be discharged as soon as possible as he is urgently needed at home”. While awaiting a reply he continued to serve in Italy until 22 February 1945 when his unit was sent to France, they arrived on the 24th. He served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany and on 21 June his compassionate request was granted and he was repatriated. Sapper McNaughton was granted compassionate farm Leave with Out Pay (LWOP) until discharged effective 23 October 1945.

After the war, Coll and his brother Gordon bought the Dennison farm at Dunston and farmed it together. After a few years Coll decided to move back to British Columbia. He worked heavy equipment in many places, throughout the province, building roads and highways. He built his own log home in Ruskin, British Columbia and lived there until his death. His love, hobby, was buying ‘treasures’ at the local flea market and welding them into ‘creations’. Coll passed away 9 March 2000, on his way home from the market, his pacemaker ‘misfired’.

Sapper Milton Coll McNaughton is buried in the Port Coquitlam Municipal Cemetery, British Columbia.

Information from Library and Archives Canada, Royal Canadian Engineers Records and family.

Private Melvin Allan Murdy

1939-1945 Star, Italy Star

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)

WW II

Melvin Allan Murdy was born 25 May 1918.

Melvin Joined the PPCLI in February 1940 and by 1942 was with the Motorized Machine Gun Platoon (MMG). Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily by the Allies, began early in the morning of 10 July 1943. Private Murdy’s battle was short lived as he was one of the first wounded on that day. He recovered and after the Sicily campaign was sent to Italy. He was qualified to drive an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), operate the Vickers Guns as well as the 38 Wireless Set. Additionally, he served for a time as a Bateman to an officer, Charles Sydney Frost, who later, as Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, authored several books on the PPCLI. Melvin survived unscathed until 07 July 1945 when, during the battle at the Naviglio Canal near Milan, Italy, he was severely wounded. His back was broken, he lost two vertebrae and his one leg ended up being 2 ½ inches shorter. His military service was finished. He was sent to London, England and after a long recovery was eventually repatriated to Canada.

Melvin went back to his hometown Manitou, Manitoba and resided there until his passing.

Melvin Allan Murdy passed away 12 May 1997 and is buried