James McVey, Regimental # B16821

James McVey was born May 11th, 1921, in Glenboig, Scotland. The following year his family emigrated to Canada. McVey enlisted on July 18th, 1941, in Toronto as a gunner, and was assigned to the Royal Canadian Artillery (R.C.A.). He was 20 years old.  He was sent to North Bay to begin his training and in October 1941 he was sent to Petawawa and attached to the 2 CARU (Canadian Army Reinforcement Unit). He was granted leave shortly afterwards and got engaged to Bessie Hutchison. 

December 12th, 1941, he shipped out from Halifax and disembarked at Gourock, England on the 23rd of December 1941.  He was formally assigned to 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit.  On July 9th, 1942, he was reassigned to the 1st Medium Regiment, R.C.A. as a Brenn Gunner.  His training in England took place in Ludshott, Borden, Caterham and Chipstead.  July 6th, 1944, he left England and landed in France on July 8th.  At that time, he was attached to the First Canadian Army and the fighting began.

Fighting through France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, he was blinded in Belgium when the gun recoiled.  After 3 days, he was back out in battle including the Battle of the Scheldt and Operation Veritable. After the armistice he returned to Canada and was discharged on December 11th, 1945.  Medals include Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, and clasp, France and German Star, and Defence Medal.

He reunited with Bessie, and they got married January 11th, 1946. Their only child, Carol, was born October 30, 1946. McVey continued his service with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 73 as Service Officer for the veterans and as a member of the Colour Party. Once he retired from his job as a machinist, he became a Commissioner, where he served until his death December 7th, 1988 from lung cancer.

We thank him for his service.

We will remember them.

NM