Enlisting in October 1939 with the 48th Highlanders, Cpl. James Leonard Townson went overseas in September 1942. He first served in Italy, making his way up the peninsula. Townson was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and moved to Toronto at a young age, attending Jesse Ketchum and Wilcox schools.
He was killed just northeast of Twello, two days after receiving his Corporal stripes. Initially buried in the town of Wilp, he was later relocated to Holten War Cemetery, alongside his Commanding Officer, Lieut-Col. MacKenzie. He left behind his widow, Mrs. Bernice Townson, living on Alcorn Ave, Toronto, and their two-and-a-half-year-old son, whom he never met.
He was killed in Action: April 13, 1945, aged 25. Approximate location: Near houses, a bazooka strike destroyed a “D” Company Wasp flamethrower when it exploded, hitting the petrol tank. The first bazooka round missed, but the second caused the explosion, resulting in two fatalities and two injuries. D Company cleared heavy resistance at coordinates MR 893072 (see Google Maps for reference).
Newspaper Clipping from LBAC (What is this?)
NOK: Son of George Thomas Townson and of Ellen Louisa Townson (nee Jupp); husband of Bernice Norma Townson (nee Ross), of Toronto, Ontario.
