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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

George Henry Basil Stinson

In memory of:

Major George Henry Basil Stinson

July 25, 1944

Military Service

Age:

29

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, R.C.I.C.

Citation(s):

The France and Germany Star, The Defence Medal, The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, 1939-1945 Star, and Distinguished Service Medal.

Additional Information

Son of Russell Hayes Stinson and Agnes Blanche Stinson; husband of Margaret May Stinson, of Hamilton, Ontario.

Commemorated on Page 453 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Calvados, France

Grave Reference:

V. F. 3.

Location:

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.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star August 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star August 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of George Stinson– Stinson, George Henry Basil - Major. Born 31st May, 1915, at Niagara Falls, Ont. Educated at Sherbrooke, Que., and Montreal. Entered the service of the Bank 29th June, 1931. Served at Crescent & St. Catherine (Montreal), branches in Nova Scotia, and Toronto and Hamilton city branches. On active service with The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Wentworth Regiment) 2nd September, 1939, in the rank of Lieutenant. Captain in May, 1942; Major in June, 1943. Overseas in June, 1940. Further training in England, including course in battle drill. Instructor at first Canadian Battle Drill School from April to August, 1942. Landed in Normandy 4th July, 1944. Killed in action at Vetrières 25th July, 1944, while leading his men against the village. They were attacked by concealed German tanks, which killed all officers of the Company, non-commissioned as well as commissioned. The men were taken over by a young Sergeant from another Company and made their objective. In the opinion of the Brigadier their ability to do this was a tribute to their good battle training under Major Stinson, the last of the original officers who left Hamilton with the Unit. Major Stinson was a son of the late R. H. Stinson, formerly an Inspector of this Bank, and a brother of C.S.M. Jean D. Barry. From a memorial booklet prepared by the Canadian Bank of Commerce.

    Details

    Photo of George Stinson
    Photo of George Stinson – Stinson, George Henry Basil - Major. Born 31st May, 1915, at Niagara Falls, Ont. Educated at Sherbrooke, Que., and Montreal. Entered the service of the Bank 29th June, 1931. Served at Crescent & St. Catherine (Montreal), branches in Nova Scotia, and Toronto and Hamilton city branches. On active service with The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Wentworth Regiment) 2nd September, 1939, in the rank of Lieutenant. Captain in May, 1942; Major in June, 1943. Overseas in June, 1940. Further training in England, including course in battle drill. Instructor at first Canadian Battle Drill School from April to August, 1942. Landed in Normandy 4th July, 1944. Killed in action at Vetrières 25th July, 1944, while leading his men against the village. They were attacked by concealed German tanks, which killed all officers of the Company, non-commissioned as well as commissioned. The men were taken over by a young Sergeant from another Company and made their objective. In the opinion of the Brigadier their ability to do this was a tribute to their good battle training under Major Stinson, the last of the original officers who left Hamilton with the Unit. Major Stinson was a son of the late R. H. Stinson, formerly an Inspector of this Bank, and a brother of C.S.M. Jean D. Barry. From a memorial booklet prepared by the Canadian Bank of Commerce.
  • Newspaper Clipping– Source: Hamilton Spectator August 2, 1944

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – Source: Hamilton Spectator August 2, 1944

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