Shier, Corporal Roy James

Service Highlights

  • Born December 8, 1921 in Woodham, Ontario.
  • Son of Johnathan Wesley Shier and Edith May Swallow.
  • Enlisted in the Canadian Army on March 3, 1941.
  • Served with the 1st Hussars, 6th Canadian Army Tank Regiment.
  • Served in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany during the Second World War.
  • Held as a prisoner of war in Germany for 10 months, at Stalag VII C.
  • Liberated in April 1945 and returned to Canada
  • Honourably discharged on August 20, 1945.
  • Married Margaret Jean Patton on March 17, 1948.
  • Member of Sarnia Legion Branch 62 for 25 years.
  • Passed away June 5, 1973 in Sarnia, Ontario.
  • Buried at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Sarnia.
  • Commemorated through the St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program.

A Life and Service Remembered

Roy James Shier was born in Woodham, Ontario, in 1921, the son of Johnathan Wesley Shier and Edith May Swallow. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in March 1941 and served with the 1st Hussars, 6th Canadian Army Tank Regiment, a unit that would play a major role in the Allied return to France.

In June 1944, Roy embarked from the United Kingdom and landed in France on D-Day. Soon after, he was reported missing, and it was later confirmed that he had been taken prisoner. He spent approximately 10 months in German prisoner of war camps, including Stalag VII C, before being liberated in April 1945.

A Department of Veterans Affairs letter later confirmed his enlistment date, discharge date, and overseas service in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Though his service records are not publicly available at this time so exact war movements have yet to be confirmed. A newspaper report also listed Roy among liberated Canadian prisoners of war who returned to Halifax after the war.

After returning home, Roy married Margaret Jean Patton in 1948. He later lived in Sarnia and remained connected to the veteran community as a member of Sarnia Legion Branch 62 for 25 years. When he passed away in 1973, members of the 1st Hussars formed a Guard of Honour at his funeral, a fitting tribute to a man whose service and sacrifice were remembered by those who served alongside him.

Major Battles and Operations

  • Service with the 1st Hussars, 6th Canadian Army Tank Regiment
  • D-Day landings in Normandy, June 6, 1944
  • Service in France during the Normandy campaign
  • Prisoner of war in Germany, 1944 to 1945
  • Liberation and return to Canada in 1945

Learn More

Royal Canadian Legion Military Service Recognition Book Volume III
https://on.legion.ca/remembrance/military-service-recognition-book/msrb/

Selves family history page
https://www.selves.ca/getperson.php?personID=I3126&tree=tree1

Shier genealogy page
https://shiergenealogy.ca/p238.htm