Each year, the York-Sunbury Historical Society remembers a service member who fell in the service of their country. This year, we have chosen Lieutenant Russell Edward Ganong. The Memorial Cross that was given to his mother forms part of our exhibit at the Fredericton Region Museum that features the Italian Campaign and the breaking of the Gothic Line in the summer of 1944.
Lieutenant Ganong was born in St. Stephen on 10 October 1920. He was the son of Major General Hardy Ganong and his wife, Mildred, and was married to Mary Helena Ganong. They had a young son, Hardy MacKenzie.
When the Second World War started, he joined the RCAF and was posted to Britain. At the time, his father was commanding the Carleton and York Regiment that had gone overseas to England as part of the 1st Canadian Division. Russell Ganong transferred to the Canadian army and eventually joined the Carleton and York Regiment. By then, his father had been promoted to Brigadier and was commanding the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade that included the Carleton and York regiment. Russel was selected for officer training in Canada. After commissioning, he returned to England and followed his regiment to Italy in October 1943. The Carleton and York had been there since July 1943 when they landed in Sicily as part of OP HUSKY.
Mildred Ganong’s Memorial Cross – Collection of the Fredericton Region Museum (1989.11.23) – Gift of Mr & Mrs Russell (II) Ganong
By the winter of 1944, the Carleton and York were deployed along the Arielli River. This is north west of Ortona on the Adriatic coast. Their role was to keep the German defenders pinned down so they couldn’t send reinforcements to the main effort that was unfolding on the West coast. It was a cold and wet winter. It was a battle of patrols and raids. Lieutenant Ganong had led a successful raid in February that had resulted in the capture of two German soldiers and the gathering of valuable information.
On 17 March, he led another patrol against a German strongpoint. It did not go well for them. They were forced to retreat and suffered 10 wounded plus 2 killed. Lieutenant Ganong was injured in the head by a grenade explosion. He was evacuated to a hospital but died of his injuries the next day. He is buried in the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery which is not far from where he died.
This is but one example of a young and promising life cut short by war. He left behind his grieving wife, young son and his parents. Lest We Forget.
Gary Campbell, 29 October 2024.
For more information on Lieutenant Russell Edward Ganong, and other local soldiers who served in the Italian Campaign during the Second World War, please visit the Fredericton Region Museum’s special commemorative exhibition “New Brunswick Goes to War: The Liberation of Italy” and accompanying on-line catalogue.
The Fredericton Region Museum is open Wednesday – Saturday 1pm to 4pm (or by appointment)
Media contact:
Alena Krasnikova, Executive Director
Fredericton Region Museum www.frederictonregionmuseum.com
Email: frederictonregionmuseum@gmail.com or phone 506-455-6041
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