William John Edward Staughton was born on 22 August 1925 to William Stephen and Kate Staughton in Toronto, ON. He spent his childhood in the suburbs of Toronto (the Annex, as we know it today). Into his teens, he was found to “not be very interested in school” and started his career as a mechanic’s assistant after one year at Central Tech for General Industrial applications. It was during this time he joined the Rotary Club’s 48th Highlanders Cadet Corps during the early years of the war (1940-’43), where he found himself enlisting as soon as he became of age. He would be sworn in on 11 Jan 1944, with the service number B-157880, now Pte Staughton.
He underwent Basic Training from February to April 1944. During this time, he “…would appear to have many of the qualities of leadership.” by the course staff (Capt GM Saunders, #20 BTC (7Mar44)). After successfully completing basic, he began his trades qualification as an infanteer from April to November 1944. During his training, he would be recommended as a 6lb AT Gunner or potential Driver IC. His staff would go on to note:
“Young lad of good build and appearance” & “…should be a good infantryman”
– Lt D. Sandulak, A-10 CITC (1Jun44)“Possible N.C.O. with more experience”
• Lt LE Browning, A-10 CITC (1Jul44).
The start of the war for him was immediately after his training, where, after transport and being assigned to the 48th, he found himself in Italy in February 1945. On the same day, 48th Officers were sent to review billets “…in a town so distant to the south it was off their area maps.”, signalling that the 48th fighting the Italy Campaign were to be pulled off the line. Staughton was essentially one of the first wave of replacements coming in to reinforce the regiment after their hard-fought time as ‘D-Day Dodgers’. Shortly afterwards, in March, the regiment was shipped to France for their participation in what was thought to be the ‘final push’ of the war in Europe.
Pte Staughton’s potential first experience of combat operations would be Operation CANNONSHOT in April 1945 in the vicinity of Wilp near the Ijssel river. Unfortunately it would also be his last, as the war diary states he was killed in action on 12 April 1945. He may have been with A or B Coy during the initial crossing and push north or he was part of D Coy when they were ordered to clear the North-West part of Hoven after the CO, LCol Mackenzie, was killed by artillery fire. He was initially buried in Wilp, then his remains were moved to Holten Canadian Military Cemetery. An interesting missive from a Mrs. JP Nagelhout [sp] states that they have adopted the grave and wanted to inform next of kin that they were caring for the plot in Holten.
Despite the fog of war obscuring many details of Pte Staughton’s final days, I found that his short career as a soldier in training resonated with me. Here was a young man that was on the track to start a career like any other (mechanic), who then may have seen the outbreak of war and found himself driven to action. Before he was of age, his time as a cadet with the Rotary 48th indicated a belief that he wanted to serve before his age dictated active service. Throughout his training he showed drive and character that could have shaped him up to be a fine NCO. Yet, as war does, it can take away such promise so much swifter than it took to build it up.
With no intended disrespect to Pte Staughton, his life and service speaks to what I think is a certain aspect that all soldiers have in their mind as they go to war. They think of the future, the battles ahead, the next patrol, the next bound. They may want to think of themselves as those like in the movies who carry on, and see the end of it all, only to be cut down in the midst of the opening salvo. However I do not look at it with any disdain or maligned affectations, contrarily I see this as the determination that every soldier should hold close to their hearts: their service before self, their valour for taking up the torch from failing hands ‘twas thrown, to be held high, to not break faith with those who’ve died.
I look forward to seeing Pte Staughton’s marker in Holten, as I did to our fallen in Moro and Cassino. To remind myself that we carry on a torch that has been held alight by those who have served and those of have paid the ultimate price for such a noble deed.
Navarro, P.R.
Sgt
IC 12B
A Coy
48 HIGHRS
NOK: Son of William S. and Katie Staughton, of Toronto, Ontario.