Canadian Virtual War Memorial

ZH-175

41

Army

Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C.

Military Cross, Infantry (Royal Winnipeg Rifles) - awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 26 May 1945. "On 6 June 1944 - D-Day - with under command "B" Company, one platoon of "C" Company, and one section of Pioneers, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, plus one and one-half sections No. 6 Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, Captain Gower assaulted and captured Red Beach of Mike Sector at Courseulles-sur-Mer. This beach was defended by four large casemates and fifteen other enemy positions, all entirely unaffected by the pre-assault bombardment.

Eye-witnesses of his command stated that throughout this action and in spite of having lost his helmet during the landing, Captain Gower stood upright on the beach, cooly directing the employment of his sub-units and by his personal example of bravery, skill and daring reduced the defences one by one until the beach defences were overcome. Had it not been for this officer's courage and outstanding devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, the landing and advance inland of the remainder of the Battalion would have been seriously hampered.

It is considered that this officer's bravery, determination and dauntless leadership contributed tremendously to the Battalion's successful advance to its Brigade objective."

Special Service Medal (SSM), 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp. Efficiency Decoration Canada

May 10, 1915
Regina, Saskatchewan

September 5, 1939
Winnipeg, Manitoba