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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

James Anderson Keir

In memory of:

Rifleman James Anderson Keir

June 8, 1944

Military Service

Service Number:

H/40702

Age:

23

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Winnipeg Rifles

Additional Information

Son of James A. and Emma Keir, of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Commemorated on Page 350 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Calvados, France

Grave Reference:

XXVIII. E. 4.

Location:

This cemetery lies on the west side of the main road from Caen to Falaise (route N158) and just north of the village of Cintheaux. Bretteville-sur-Laize is a village and commune in the department of the Calvados, some 16 kilometres south of Caen. The village of Bretteville lies 3 kilometres south-west of the Cemetery. Buried here are those who died during the later stages of the battle of Normandy, the capture of Caen and the thrust southwards (led initially by the 4th Canadian and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions), to close the Falaise Gap, and thus seal off the German divisions fighting desperately to escape being trapped west of the Seine. Almost every unit of Canadian 2nd Corps is represented in the Cemetery. There are about 3,000 allied forces casualties of the Second World War commemorated in this site.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Memorial– This monument is dedicated to the memory of the Canadian soldiers of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and to all other Canadian combatants who played a part in the Liberation of Putot-en-Bessin on 7 June 1944. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022.

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – This monument is dedicated to the memory of the Canadian soldiers of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and to all other Canadian combatants who played a part in the Liberation of Putot-en-Bessin on 7 June 1944. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022.
  • Memorial– Rifleman James Anderson Keir is also commemorated on the Memorial at Putot-en-Bessin, FR … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Rifleman James Anderson Keir is also commemorated on the Memorial at Putot-en-Bessin, FR … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022
  • Photo of James Anderson Keir– Photo from James' sister, Jean.

    Details

    Photo of James Anderson Keir
    Photo of James Anderson Keir – Photo from James' sister, Jean.
  • Newspaper clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– Newspaper clipping from Winnipeg Free Press.

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – Newspaper clipping from Winnipeg Free Press.
  • Photo of JAMES ANDERSON KEIR– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of JAMES ANDERSON KEIR
    Photo of JAMES ANDERSON KEIR – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Aerial View of Cemetery– Aerial view of Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Cintheaux, Calvados, France, showing grave of Rifleman James Alexander Keir. He was initially buried in a civil cemetery in Saint Georges-des-Groselliers, Normany, France on June 12, 1944. His body was re-interred at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in April, 1946 (as per information received from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

    Details

    Aerial View of Cemetery
    Aerial View of Cemetery – Aerial view of Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Cintheaux, Calvados, France, showing grave of Rifleman James Alexander Keir. He was initially buried in a civil cemetery in Saint Georges-des-Groselliers, Normany, France on June 12, 1944. His body was re-interred at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in April, 1946 (as per information received from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission).
  • Grave Marker– Gravestone of Rifleman J. A. Keir at Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Cintheaux, Calvados, France - Cemetery Section 28, grave E.4. Also in the cemetery plot section 28 (XXVIII) are Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regiment Riflemen: T. Marshall - grave E.3; C. W. Peck - grave E.5; D. H. Sabiston - grave E.6; J. R. M. Stewart - grave E.7; and Sgt. W. A. Foster, Cameron Highlaners of Ottawa Regiment - grave F.7.

    Details

    Grave Marker
    Grave Marker – Gravestone of Rifleman J. A. Keir at Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Cintheaux, Calvados, France - Cemetery Section 28, grave E.4. Also in the cemetery plot section 28 (XXVIII) are Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regiment Riflemen: T. Marshall - grave E.3; C. W. Peck - grave E.5; D. H. Sabiston - grave E.6; J. R. M. Stewart - grave E.7; and Sgt. W. A. Foster, Cameron Highlaners of Ottawa Regiment - grave F.7.

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