Pte Joseph Alsop (US Citizen) Can Army - Acc Killed, Gander Airfield, Newfoundland 2nd July 1941

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by Tullybrone, Dec 20, 2018.

  1. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    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
     
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  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    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
    42127_83024005548_0158-00297.jpg

    TD
     
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