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RICHARD HANSON Richard "Bruce" Hanson was born on Dec. 8th, 1922 in Olds, Alberta. When the Second World War broke out, at just 17 years old, Bruce lied about his age and enlisted with 14th Canadian Armored Regiment "Calgary Tanks" in 1939. He shipped off for England where they served in the defense of England while the English Army was in France. Preparations for an allied mainland invasion of Europe ensued for what would become known as the ill-fated Dieppe Raid in August 1942. Fortunately for Bruce, the landing craft he was on was hit by German artillery and was disabled preventing them from landing on the beach . Had he made it ashore he most likely would have been killed or captured along with thousands of other Canadian troops. His landing craft listed (picture attached) in the English Channel for over a day at which time the War Correspondence dispatched a telegram (attached) to his parents confirming he was missing in action. |
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His landing craft eventually drifted to Gosport, however, with the length of time it took for mail to be delivered during that time, his parents believed their son had lost his life in action. It wasn't until over a month later they received a telegram from him stating he was safe in England. |
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The Calgary Tanks, along with the 11th Armored Regiment "Ontario" and the 12th Armored Regiment "Three Rivers" comprised the 1st Canadian Tank Brigade. The Brigade joined with the famed British 8th Army and went on to land in Sicily and then onward to Italy where they saw one of the hardest fought battles of WWII at Ortona in December 1943. Surviving the Dieppe Raid, the Sicilian and Italian campaigns, the 1st Canadian Tank Brigade then deployed for Northwestern Europe to join the 1st Canadian Army in Holland. After VE Day he was enroute to the Pacific front when the Japanese had surrendered in 1945. The 1st Canadian Tank Brigade (renamed the 1st Canadian Armored Brigade) earned the distinction of the longest and widest service of any Brigade of the Canadian Army during the Second World War. Returning to civilian life in Alberta, he raised his family and moved to Vancouver Island and ultimately retiring in Tsawwassen BC where he was an active member of the local 289 Legion branch until his passing in 2002; a true Canadian Hero. Submitted by Darcy Coonfer, grandson of Bruce Hanson |
| Mon: | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Tue: | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Wed: | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Thu: | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Fri: | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Sat: | Closed |
| Sun: | Closed |
