During Operation Cannonshot on April 12 which crossed the Ijssel River near Wilp, The Netherlands and advanced to the town of Twello.
On the 16th of July, 1909, Wesley and Elizabeth Irons welcomed their second son, George Bradley Irons, into the world. Born in Curve Lake, Ontario, George grew up hunting and fishing, playing baseball, hockey and the bass horn. George, a proud member of Canada’s Anishinaabe First Nations community, spoke fluent English and Ojibwe. He completed his education in the 7th grade and began working to support his family.
George worked in many professions, but primarily, he worked as a seasonal guide for tourists, a lumberer and a general labourer. Up until the time George enlisted, he provided $20.00 monthly to his father to help out with expenses; this is the equivalent of $370 today.
With a job promised after discharge, George Bradley Irons enlisted in Kingston, Ontario, in the Active Force with the Canadian Infantry Corps. At 33 years, 3 weeks, and 5 days old, he was 5′ 8¼” tall*, weighed 157 pounds, had brown eyes, and dark hair. His next of Kin was his mother, Elizabeth. George enlisted, having had previous military experience during the period between July 28, 1942 and August 4, 1942, within the National Resources Mobilization Act.
Given the rank of private, George Irons was sent to training. On November 1st, 1942, he was taken on strength as a Cameron Highlander of Ottawa and later, on the 4th of February 1944, he was taken on strength to the 48th Highlanders of Canada.
On May 17, 1944, while in Italy, the 48th Highlanders of Canada, advancing up the Liri Valley, lost communication with both the Royal Canadian Regiment and the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. Throughout the day, the 48th continued to push forward, facing decreasing resistance from German forces. That evening, following a successful advance through the Liri Valley, they came under attack under cover of darkness. It was during this assault, just over three months after Pte. Irons had joined the unit, when he sustained injuries. He was taken to No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with shell wounds to his left hand and lower left leg. He was discharged May 27, 1944 and was taken back on strength to the 48th on September 22, 1944. Over the next six months, Pte Irons would be in action with the AAI (Allied Armies in Italy) as a member of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. In total, he would serve for 10 months with the AAI.
Private George Bradley Irons was killed in action on April 13, 1945, during the Liberation of Twello in the Netherlands—part of the final Allied push in the Second World War. Just two days earlier, on April 11, Op CANNONSHOT had launched at 15:30. The offensive caught German forces off guard, as they had expected an attack from the 3rd Canadian Division, not the 1st. The 48th Highlanders of Canada—alongside the Royal Canadian Regiment and the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment—was tasked with crossing the Ijssel River and advancing along the Deventer–Apeldoorn railway towards the Teuge airfield. Before dawn on April 13, the 48th Highlanders and their brigade moved into the outskirts of Twello, encountering intermittent but sometimes intense resistance from German troops, specifically the 953 Grenadiers of the 361 Volksgrenadier Division. Pte Irons was killed in the explosion of a Wasp flamethrower that was hit with Panzerschreck.
Pte Irons had left a $100.00 Victory Bond (related by his mother) and had $1,329.00 held as savings by the Department of Indian Affairs. Although not in his Military File, it is said he had been sending his mother $20.00 monthly.
Pte Irons was awarded the following medals: 1939 – 45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defense Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Bar; and War Medal, 1939 – 45. He was also awarded the War Service Badge – Class “A”.