Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of William H. and Elizabeth Demerchant; husband of Nancy Demerchant, of Darwen, Lancashire, England.
Digital gallery of Private James Reid Demerchant
Digital gallery of
Private James Reid Demerchant
Picture of J. Reid DeMerchant (left) and his brother Gerald DeMerchant (right) at training camp in Aldershot, NS. Reid joined the Canadian Army when he was 17 but was discharged when it was discovered. He re-joined after he turned 18 years of age.
Digital gallery of
Private James Reid Demerchant
Obituary of J. Reid DeMerchant. Reid's wife was Nancy Pillering of Darwin England. Their daughter Anita DeMerchant was born on August 29th, 1944...the same day her father was killed in action.
Digital gallery of
Private James Reid Demerchant
1st page of letter (rest of letter not found)..."leave together so that will make about 21 days. That isn't bad don't you think. It would of been nice to get home for Xmas but New Year is good. Dick & Bill is coming the 7 or the 9 and get back here the 28. We are having a pretty good time lots of shows. Will that is much more news to write so will have to close now. From your loving sons Gerald + Reid.<P>
To Keith
How are you Bunty. Do you think Santa Clause is going to get you anything. What do you want me and Reid to get you. We will be to see you pretty quick. so don't worry will be there
Digital gallery of
Private James Reid Demerchant
2nd page of letter
"Now be a good boy and don't swear or tell Momma lie. This is for Jack to.
From
G Jerry + Reid<P>
[Note to Mother]
See if you can get some U.S.A cigarette will you. We are saving our money. So don't worry. You will have to exuse this writing.
Digital gallery of
Private James Reid Demerchant
The grave of RHLI Private J R DeMerchant,21, one of 3000 graves at the Canadian War Cemetery in Cintheux, the largest Canadian war Cemetery in the world." Source: "Hamilton Spectator" August 19, 2002. (NAD 2007)
Digital gallery of
Private James Reid Demerchant
A photograph of the headstone at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, located 20 kilometres south of Caen, France. May he rest in peace. (J. Stephens)
Digital gallery of
Private James Reid Demerchant
The Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, located 20 kilometres south of Caen, France. (J. Stephens)
Digital gallery of
Private James Reid Demerchant
Digital gallery of
Private James Reid Demerchant
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
Image gallery
-
Picture of J. Reid DeMerchant (left) and his brother Gerald DeMerchant (right) at training camp in Aldershot, NS. Reid joined the Canadian Army when he was 17 but was discharged when it was discovered. He re-joined after he turned 18 years of age.
-
Obituary of J. Reid DeMerchant. Reid's wife was Nancy Pillering of Darwin England. Their daughter Anita DeMerchant was born on August 29th, 1944...the same day her father was killed in action.
-
1st page of letter (rest of letter not found)..."leave together so that will make about 21 days. That isn't bad don't you think. It would of been nice to get home for Xmas but New Year is good. Dick & Bill is coming the 7 or the 9 and get back here the 28. We are having a pretty good time lots of shows. Will that is much more news to write so will have to close now. From your loving sons Gerald + Reid.<P> To Keith How are you Bunty. Do you think Santa Clause is going to get you anything. What do you want me and Reid to get you. We will be to see you pretty quick. so don't worry will be there
-
2nd page of letter "Now be a good boy and don't swear or tell Momma lie. This is for Jack to. From G Jerry + Reid<P> [Note to Mother] See if you can get some U.S.A cigarette will you. We are saving our money. So don't worry. You will have to exuse this writing.
-
The grave of RHLI Private J R DeMerchant,21, one of 3000 graves at the Canadian War Cemetery in Cintheux, the largest Canadian war Cemetery in the world." Source: "Hamilton Spectator" August 19, 2002. (NAD 2007)
-
A photograph of the headstone at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, located 20 kilometres south of Caen, France. May he rest in peace. (J. Stephens)
-
The Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, located 20 kilometres south of Caen, France. (J. Stephens)
-
-
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 289 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY Calvados, France
This cemetery lies on the west side of the main road from Caen to Falaise (route N158) and just north of the village of Cintheaux. Bretteville-sur-Laize is a village and commune in the department of the Calvados, some 16 kilometres south of Caen. The village of Bretteville lies 3 kilometres south-west of the Cemetery. Buried here are those who died during the later stages of the battle of Normandy, the capture of Caen and the thrust southwards (led initially by the 4th Canadian and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions), to close the Falaise Gap, and thus seal off the German divisions fighting desperately to escape being trapped west of the Seine. Almost every unit of Canadian 2nd Corps is represented in the Cemetery. There are about 3,000 allied forces casualties of the Second World War commemorated in this site.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.