Hi, The online service file of this man reveals, at P36 to P42, that whilst speaking to the US Congress 16th July 1941 Rep Paul Shafer of Michigan attempted to use the fact that the deceased body was repatriated to his family in Washington DC in “poor condition” (and at the families expense) for propaganda purposes against Canada. It was part of the ongoing campaign to gather public support to prevent USA entering WW2. A post card of his speech was produced and circulated - one copy being sent sent to the British Consul in Detroit, Michigan. http://collectionscanada.ca/obj/001056/f2/a/sww-25321-alsop-joseph_anthony-d72189.pdf Pte Alsop, 1st Battalion Victoria Rifles of Canada, was accidentally killed in a barrack room at Gander Airfield whilst instructing a fellow soldier in aiming practice. Dummy rounds were being used but a live round was accidentally loaded in the rifle. Due to a Staff Captain’s error his body was repatriated to his family. This was in contravention of Canadian Army standing orders that any fatalities suffered outside Canada would not be returned to their families for burial. The error was compounded by a request for the family to pay the cost of transportation of the body from Newfoundland to Washington DC in advance which lead to adverse comment in a Washington newspaper which was picked up by Rep Shafer. I’ve not researched the matter in any depth but Alsop may be the only Canadian soldier killed during WW2 who was repatriated to the United States for burial. Steve
Joseph Anthony ALSOP 1915–1941 BIRTH 1 OCT 1915 • Washington, D.C., U.S.A DEATH 2 JULY 1941 • Gander, Newfoundland Database - Reports of Deaths of American Citizens Abroad, 1835-1974 Name Joseph Anthony Alsop Age 25 Birth Dateabt 1916 Death Date 2 Jul 1941 Death Place Canada Canada, WWII Service Files of War Dead, 1939-1947 Name Joseph Anthony Alsop Birth Date 1 Oct 1915 Birth Place Washington, D.C., U.S.A Residence Place Washington, D.C., U.S.A Death Date 2 Jul 1941 Service Number D72189 Regiment Victoria Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C. Rank Rifleman Next of Kin Thomas Alsop Relationship Brother TD