SIMPSON, BURTON ‘BURT’’  Reg. # B54881

Burton Craig Simpson was born October 28, 1922 in Dunchurch, the son of George Herbert and Caroline Frances (Craig) Simpson.

Burton 'Burt' Simpson

Burt Simpson’s story is told in John Macfie’s book Now and Then, More Footnotes to Parry Sound History and in John’s book, “Sons of the Pioneers” pages 117-134. Burt enlisted in the Algonquin Regiment but volunteered to transfer to the Royal Regiment as a reinforcement after that unit was badly depleted following the abortive Dieppe raid in August, 1942.

Burt volunteered because his older brother Douglas, also posted with the royals, had gone missing, and in fact, had died at Dieppe. Burt was with the unit at Caen the night that the severe bombing occurred that reduced it to rubble.

Burt saw action at the Falaise Gap. He moved on to Belgium where he was wounded by shrapnel at Burges in Belgium. As John reported ”In the low country flanking the Rhine the retreating enemy put up fierce resistance, as the sea of crosses in Canadian military cemeteries attest.

After convalescing he rejoined the Royal Regiment where he went through Nijmegen and Cleve. Burt was wounded a second time at Oldenburg, Germany.

As noted, the reader is encouraged to read Burton Simpson’s story as recounted by John Macfie in Now and Then, More Footnotes to Parry Sound History and in John’s book, “Sons of the Pioneers” pages 117-134.