Kalbfleisch, Private Clarence Eckert

Service highlights

  • Service number: A4528
  • Rank: Private
  • Born: 4 August 1917 in Maplewood, West Zorra Township
  • Parents: Emerson and Christina Kalbfleisch
  • Before enlistment: Worked the family farm at Lot 32, Concession 8, West Zorra
  • Called up (home defence): National Resources Mobilization Act, 30 days training with the Oxford Rifles in October and November 1940
  • Enrolled for overseas service: 12 January 1942 in the Canadian Active Service Force at London
  • Training: 10 Canadian Army Training Centre, Kitchener, 7 February to 8 April 1942
  • Unit: The Royal Canadian Regiment, serving with 1st Canadian Infantry Division
  • Marriage: 6 October 1942, to Alice M. Curragh of Maplewood
  • Overseas: Sailed 10 December 1942 to England
  • Joined regiment overseas: 5 March 1943
  • Killed in action: Christmas Day 1943, during fighting in Ortona, Italy
  • Burial: Moro River Canadian War Cemetery
  • Commemorated: World War II plaque on the south wall of St. Marys Town Hall

A Life and Service Remembered

Clarence Eckert Kalbfleisch, “Clar-Clar” was born in Maplewood, West Zorra Township, on 4 August 1917. He went to school until he was 14, then settled into farm life with his family. That was his beginning: work that starts early, seasons that do not pause, and a responsibility to the people at home.

In 1940 he was called up under the National Resources Mobilization Act, which was Canadian legislation enabling the government to register all citizens of age and conscript men for home defense to support the war effort.  He trained for 30 days with the Oxford Rifles. He returned to the farm afterward, but the war kept moving closer. On 12 January 1942 he enrolled for overseas service in London, Ontario, and trained at the Canadian Army Training Centre in Kitchener. After further infantry training, he was assigned as a future reinforcement for the Royal Canadian Regiment.

He was granted four months of leave without pay to help keep the family farm running. During that window of borrowed time, he married Alice M. Curragh on 6 October 1942. Just over two months later, on 10 December 1942, he sailed for England.

Clarence joined the Royal Canadian Regiment on 5 March 1943, serving with 1st Canadian Infantry Division. In Sicily and then mainland Italy, the battalion moved from one hard fight to the next. In December 1943 they were ordered to capture Ortona. The fighting became a grinding battle with heavy casualties, and the regiment was in the thick of it at San Leonardo and the Ortona Crossroads.

On Christmas Day 1943, the regiment attacked again. The assault succeeded, but it came at a cost. Private Kalbfleisch was among those killed in action.

He was buried in the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery in Italy. He was survived by his wife Alice and their infant son, George Emerson, who was born after Clarence went overseas. He was also survived by his parents, Emerson and Christina, and by his brother, Gordon.

Major battles and operations

  • Home service training (Canada, 1940): National Resources Mobilization Act call up and training with the Oxford Rifles
  • Army training (Canada, 1942): 10 Canadian Army Training Centre in Kitchener, followed by advanced infantry training and assignment as an RCR reinforcement
  • Overseas movement (1942 to 1943): Sailed to England on 10 December 1942, joined the Royal Canadian Regiment on 5 March 1943
  • Sicily (10 July to 4 August 1943): RCR operations in Sicily
  • Mainland Italy (from 3 September 1943): Landed at Reggio di Calabria and continued operations through the fall
  • Ortona campaign (December 1943):
    • San Leonardo, 6 to 10 December
    • Ortona Crossroads, 18 to 19 December
    • Christmas Day assault, 25 December, where he was killed in action

Learn More