The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, an infantry battalion, landed on Juno Beach as part of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, which was the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division’s reserve brigade on D-Day. The battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. F. M. Christiansen.
At 1220 Hours the battalion landed on “Nan White” at Bernières-sur-Mer. As Bernières and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer were still not cleared of enemy by the time the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders landed on the beach, they reported still being stuck in town at 1530 Hours. The roads were blocked with vehicles and civilians celebrating their liberation. The battalion only began to move out of the town at 1655 Hours.
The battalion arrived at Beny-sur-Mer at 1830 Hours. They were prepared to move to their next objective at 1900 Hours. Like all the other units of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, the 9th Brigade was ordered to hold its position at dusk. As a result of this order, the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders’ War Diary read “…we are not too dismayed or disappointed; at least we are through the much vaunted West Wall and we hear the other units are also moving [forward].”
As the battalion was ordered to hold around Beny after 2000 Hours, they began to take casualties from German mortar fire. The mortars were taken out and the battalion began to “settle in comparative calm” for the night.
The battalion suffered 1 killed and 13 wounded on D-Day and landed 733 troops on Juno Beach.
Roll of Honour
BOX HERBERT EDWARD
Research and writing by Brad St.Croix, PhD