On the first day of phase 2 of Operation Cannonshot, the liberation of Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. In phase 1 on 12 April the battalion had crossed the Ijssel River near the town of Wilp and advanced to take the town of Twello. Phase two advanced to the canal on the edge of Apeldoorn facing machine gun nests in open areas and house clearing of farm buildings. A total of 19 Highlanders were killed in the two phases, including the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Don Mackenzie. All Highlanders were buried on the dyke at Wilp.

NOK: Son of Pascal and Virginia Ducharme, of The Pas, Manitoba.