Joseph William Courtright

Joseph Courtright was captain, which compliments his strong personality. The rank of captain was considered appropriate for command of a sub-unit such as an Infantry Company, Cavalry Squadron, Armoured Squadron etc... He worked as a clerk at the time of his enlistment. He signed the enlistment papers on September second, 1939 in the united Cameron highlanders of Ottawa. On the first of July 1940 he was sent over sea. Embarked from Reykjavik, Iceland on April 27, 1941. On September 2nd, 1939, he had the lowest rank, private. On the same day he was promoted temporarily to company Sergeant major and they confirmed his rank on September 21, 1939. On November 19, 1940 he got the rank of second lieutenant. On December 7th, 1940, was assigned to the Netheravon Wing on england.  There, he was formally added to the roster of a new unit after being transferred from a unit “L” force in Iceland on December 21st, 1940.  Joseph was permitted off upon arrival in this new location on December  22nd, 1940. nOn January 7th, 1942 he proceeded on command to NM6 lown, which means that he was officially assigned to this unit NM6 flown under temporary orders of command. Joseph Courthright returned from command at the Netheravon Wing. He was off command from Netheravon on March 8th, 1941. He embarked at Reykjavik, Iceland on April 27, 1941 and he disembarked at greenock, Scotland on April 28th, 1941. Joseph Courtright had 7 days to leave on May 8th, 1941. In August of 1941, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. On March 14th, 1941, Joseph Courtright was transferred from C.H. of O(M.G) ( Taken on strength from Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (machine gun) ) and added to the roster of a new unit. Joseph Courtright was removed from CDN. Army (O/S).and on April 1, 1942 he returned from O/S. Joseph Courtright, on July 25th, 1942, was promoted to the rank of captain until December 10th, 1942 when he was reverted to lieutenant. On December 17th, 1942, he was sent over sea and he disembarked in the UK while talking on strength of arrival from Canada on December 18th, 1942. On July 31, 1943 Joseph courtright returned to his previous rank, captain. On October 26, 1943, Joseph Courtright suffered a contusion on the right thigh but it wasn't dire. He received the Canadian Volunteer service medal (CVSM) on January 15, 1944. Sadly Joseph Courtright passed away on June 9, 1944.

Joseph William proved himself to be a powerful soldier, which his legacy makes an obvious statement. From serving in 1939 until 1944, he earned the following campaign medals; France-Germany star, CVSM & clasp, and defense medal, however, he was unfortunately killed in action on June 9th, 1944 at the age of 26. His death occurred at the strength of Forces HQ while he was in France. He was a captain but his substantive rank was Lieutenant. This means that Joseph Wiliam’s confirmed rank was Lieutenant, but he later became Captain and died as one. He was buried in France and his grave was recorded using a war map of the area called the Caeb Sheet. The coordinates to his grave are MR 993742 Caeb Sheet 7F/1 Les Buissons NW France. In 1946, he was re-buried in his home country of Canada, at the Beny-sur-mer Canadian military cemetery, Beny-sur-mer, France. Grave 6, row D, plot 7. On February 6th, his re-burial documents were sent to an unknown person, however evidence suggests they were made out to his family in Canada.  

'If we do preserve it, we honour them, and when we in our turn pass on, we will know that behind us lives a generation of free men and of free women to be the keepers of this great heritage of ours - Canada.'

- Ian A. McPhee, former student at GCI, 1937.