By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Marshall DeJaegher’s bravery in the Second World War is a story for the ages.
The Chatham resident was part of the Allied Forces that stormed the beaches of Normandy, France in 1944. A tank driver and mechanic, the 20-year-old was chosen for the mission because he knew how to handle a Sherman tank.
On June 6, 1944 – D-Day – DeJaegher found himself on Juno Beach under heavy fire from German forces. The 10-kilometre stretch of beach was the site of a major Canadian assault, in which the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and 2nd Armoured Brigade seized the beach and surrounding villages.
Originally, DeJaegher was supposed to land on Juno in a floatable tank. But the armoured vehicle sunk in 50 feet of water and the young soldier found himself swimming to shore.
For a time, he was pinned down on the beach by enemy fire, but managed to find another tank whose driver had been injured. He survived, becoming part of the contingent that pushed the Germans back amongst some of the most brutal fighting in the war.
There were heavy casualties, as 1,096 Canadians died at Juno Beach. A mechanic, who enlisted in Windsor at age 17, DeJaegher was part of the 54th Light Aid Detachment which was attached to the 1st Hussars. During this period, the 1st Hussars won 72 decorations, certificates or mentions in dispatches – more than any other unit in the 1st Canadian Army.
The young soldier stayed in Europe until 1946 and then returned to Canada. He married Sheila Scratcherd, raised a family and retired from Navistar before passing away at the age of 90. Sheila continues to be a member of the Kent IODE to this day.
DeJaegher’s name is but one of 10,111 listed in the Gathering Our Heroes Chatham-Kent World War I and World War II Enlistments website (GOH). Founded by the Chatham-Kent IODE (Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire), the online “heroes directory” details the names, and, if available, the experiences of every Kent County resident who served in either of the World Wars.
In the works since 2013, the GOH project has a new partner. The IODE is teaming up with the Kent Branch of The Ontario Genealogical Society (Ontario Ancestors Kent Branch) to share information, expand the site’s reach and digitize all records.
Kent IODE member Garna Argenti, who is the GOH project co-ordinator, said welcoming the Ontario Ancestors Kent Branch into the fold increases the strength of the project, ensuring it remains a “strong genealogical tool in our community for many years to come.”
Argenti, who is co-president of the IODE Kent chapter with Bonnie Verfaille, explained the site is open to all.
“It’s available for anyone to use,” she said. “It’s a genealogical, historical research tool. We get inquiries from all over the world.”
According to Argenti, the site is accessed by a wide range of people, from students to professors, with inquiries coming from as far away as Malaysia.
Colleen L’Abbe, chair of tech support for the Ontario Ancestors Kent Branch, said the group is very impressed with what they’ve seen so far.
“Obviously the sources on this website are priceless; you’re never going to find that anyplace else,” L’Abbe said. “It’s this massive database of names, pictures and stories and that’s something you just don’t get anywhere. We want this website to be maintained going forward.”
The Kent IODE has been focusing on digitizing records for the last eight to 10 years, she added, and members are looking forward to bringing their expertise to the gatheringourheroes.ca cache of information.
The stories are what makes the site stand out.
“It is pretty amazing when you hear the stories,” Argenti said. “What amazes me the most is how fast it all came together. The war machine went bang and it came together so quickly.”
L’Abbe agreed, noting people learn valuable history stories, rather than facts and figures.
“It helps when everyone is united,” L’Abbe said of the effort. “When everyone is like, ‘yes we have something we need to do,’ I think that that makes a big difference.
Many have contributed to the GOH project that was started to mark the IODE’s 100th anniversary. Other partners include local historian Jerry Hind of the Search Goes On; Abstract Marketing; and the Chatham-Kent Museum.
Anyone with a story about a Chatham-Kent resident who enlisted in either the First or Second World Wars can access the form on the site and submit the information at gatheringourheroes.ca.
