Short, Robert

Most boys of 15, during wartime, dream of joining the Army. Few realize their dream for at least three years, but L/Cpl. Robert Short followed his dream even to death. He joined the 1st Battalion, Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada on July 28, 1940, and was able to keep his age a secret until January 25, of the following year. Discharge, owing to his youth, did not discourage him, and July 16, of that same summer, saw him again in the Army, and by the end of the month he was one of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. His training carried him to Nanaimo, B.C., and then Kingston, Jamaica. His joy was well-nigh boundless. Not only was he seeing the world, but he was in the Army, and he had the greatest admiration and regard for this branch of the service. He endured hardships with characteristic good nature. Returning to Canada on May 23, 1943, his visit was short and two months later he was in England. After a year of training with his unit, he was sent to France and into action on July 21, 1944. On August 29, he died, following severe wounds suffered in the Falaise area of Normandy. Into his brief life, which ended when he was 19, he had crowded more adventures than do most people in the allotted three score years and ten. He had many friends in the West Brantford area, where he attended Farringdon School and St. John's Church. His parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Short.

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