Dancavitch, John

At the age of 17, John Dancavitch, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Dancavitch, 66 Clinch Ave., enlisted in July, 1940, with the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles, and for more than four years served the Canadian Army faithfully and well until it entered Germany. On the field of battle on March 1, 1945, he gave his life for his country. He had shown so natural a capacity for leadership that even in the early days of his training, after he had moved from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Nanaimo, he was promoted to the rank of corporal. He was posted to Newfoundland and after some months returned to Canada to Sussex, N.B., where he was promoted to sergeant. In May, 1943, he sailed overseas to England having been transferred to the Toronto Scottish Regiment. In July, 1944, he began his battle service, and all through that summer and autumn fought in France, Belgium, Holland, and finally in Germany. On February 22, he received shrapnel wounds in the arm but refused to go back into hospital leaving his men. A week later, he was fatally wounded at Lousendorf, and was buried at Bedburg, Germany. Born in Brantford on November 3, 1922, he moved away from the city when small and at 14 returned with his family to

Brantford. He found employment at the Cox-Brook grocery store on St. Paul Avenue, and later was at the Harding Carpets Ltd. until he enlisted. Sgt. Dancavitch was a good athlete, playing hockey with the Brantford Midgets. He was also a fine organizer, and while in Newfoundland headed his station's bowling team. His church was Balfour United and he was a valuable member, taking a keen interest in its activities.

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