George Morasch

Introduction

George Morasch’s hometown roots run deep. Born on 24 May 1923 in Calgary, Alberta, he enlisted at the age of 19, ready to serve his country during the Second World War.

As a Bren Gunner in D-Company of the Calgary Highlanders, a Canadian Army infantry unit, George was trained and sent overseas to England. From there, he went on to serve in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

“The night crossing was an experience I shall never forget as long as I live.”

Arriving in France

On 6 July 1944, in the darkness of night, George and his regiment crossed the English Channel by boat. They were headed for Normandy, France and entering enemy-occupied territory. He told Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Michael Vernon in a 2016 interview, “The night crossing was an experience I shall never forget as long as I live.” He says he was grateful to have his comrades by his side.

A few days later, the Calgary Highlanders were ordered to capture Hill 67, a key position south of Caen. “Suddenly, we were told to charge. ‘Take the hill at all costs.’” As they advanced, George came under heavy enemy fire. He vividly remembers the sound of the bullets whizzing by, missing him by inches, but he kept moving forward.

“Suddenly, we were told to charge. ‘Take the hill at all costs.’”

Hill 67

After a day and night of intense fighting, including a German counterattack, the Highlanders captured the hill. By the end, only 13 soldiers from D-Company remained, with George being one of them. The regiment had lost 31 men in just three days of fighting, about 15 percent of their total strength.

George was wounded during the fighting and was sent to a British Field Hospital in Bayeux, France, where he spent 23 days recovering. Afterward, he served as an army clerk in Holland.

Victory in Europe

When Victory in Europe was declared on 8 May 1945, George remembers how kind and grateful the Dutch people were to Canadian soldiers. “Even with the language barrier, the Dutch showed their gratitude by touching our uniform shoulder titles bearing the name ‘Calgary Highlanders.’” But even as celebrations erupted, he couldn’t shake the grief for his fallen comrades. “The tears were flowing for my buddies back in Normandy,” he said in the same 2016 interview.

“The tears were flowing for my buddies back in Normandy.”

After the war

George retired from the Canadian Armed Forces as a Corporal in February 1946. He received several medals for his service, including the French Legion of Honour and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Back in Calgary, George met the love of his life, Fern Minderlen. They married on 5 December 1969 and spent 51 happy years together, never leaving each other’s side, until her passing in October 2020.

Returning to France

In 1995, the couple visited Normandy, where George paid his respects to the comrades he lost. It was only then, with Fern’s love and support, that George began to speak about his wartime experiences. He is most thankful for his late wife, calling her “a beautiful gift.”

Today, George remains deeply connected to his Calgarian roots, and is a proud member of the Calgary Highlanders Association and The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 285. He is 101 years old.

We remember

George wants youth to remember that the freedom we enjoy today was obtained at a terrible cost to Canada and the Allies.

“I hope to see the Dutch people and be reassured that what we did to liberate them has not been forgotten.”

This year, in honour of the 80^th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and the end of the Second World War, George Morasch will return to the Netherlands as part of the Government of Canada delegation. “I hope to see the Dutch people and be reassured that what we did to liberate them has not been forgotten.”

With courage, integrity and loyalty, George Morasch is leaving his mark. He is a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran. Discover more stories.