Private (Pte.) Ronald Olivier was born on April 17, 1924, in Thorold, Ontario. His parents were Paul and Elvira Olivier of Italy who lived in Montreal, Quebec at 5114 Henri Julien Street with him and were of the Roman Catholic Faith. His civilian employment before enlisting in the Canadian Army was at Canadian Children’s Wear located in Montreal, Quebec as a Sewing Machine Operator. He did not attend college or university after high school.
D158001 Pte Ronald Olivier attested on 22 September 1943 in Regina and was taken on strength of A-27 Cdn Recce. He stated that he had prior service with #4 NRMA from 6 July 43 to 21 Sept 43. He remained in Canada, at Dundurn, until receiving the order on 25 August 1944 to proceed overseas to the UK. On 12 December 1944 he embarked from England and disembarked in Italy on 24 December.
He would later be a part of the Le Regiment Du Hull and Canadian Fusiliers before eventually transferring to the 48th Highlanders .On 7 January 1945 he was taken on strength by the 48th Highlanders 1st Battalion from the X-4 list (the list of soldiers available for reinforcement) and was assigned to A Company. With the battalion he would have been involved in the crossing of the Lamone River on 10 December, the battles between the Lamone and Senio Rivers until mid February, then in the Ravenna marshes area to face the Germans there until early March. The 48th Highlanders, and the entire 1st Canadian Division, were withdrawn from there and moved across Italy to the west coast, near Genoa. They embarked from Leghorn, Italy on 12 March to Marseille, France and went across country to Belgium to prepare for the final liberation of Holland.
On 12 April the 48th crossed the Ijssel River as part of Operation Cannonshot, whose goal was the liberation of Apeldoorn. On this day that Pte Olivier was killed in action. He, with 18 other Highlanders, was buried in temporary graves on the dykes at the town of Wilp. After war ended, they were moved to Holten Cemetery.
Throughout researching online, reading “Dileas” and Pte. Olivier’s wartime records, it is undetermined exactly where he fell in battle on the 12th of April but “Dileas” suggests that it was near the Town of Wilp with Able/Baker Company as they attacked their objectives pushing to Hoven and Twello. Both companies encountered fierce machine gun resistance from German dug-ins and incoming artillery fire. Being aided by Sherman tanks of the 1st Hussars, these companies were able to destroy those lethal pockets of resistance.
Although he is not directly named in the book, “Dileas” does state that “The Highlanders casualties (that day) were largely caused by ambushing and aimed fire in daylight from Jerry positions which were either dug-in or in houses. Six men were killed, and 2 died that night, while Corporals Hugh Alton, Bill Beaton and Doug Gardiner and 11 men had been wounded”.
Tragically Pte. Olivier was set to have his 21st birthday in just five days at the time of his death during Operation CANNONSHOT. His young age is in line with past casualties sustained during the Italian campaign, and more of his comrades that would follow in the fighting at Apeldoorn. He had accumulated only 1.5 years of service with the regiment before being killed in action.
NOK: Son of Paul and Elvira Olivier, of 5114 Henri Julien St., Montreal, Province of Quebec.