Arnold-George-Herbert

Herb, born July 11,1923, was the son of George Arnold and Anna Finlay.

The 1931 Canadian Census shows the family renting a house on Edith Street…George Sr. a commercial traveller (salesman) in leather goods and Herb a student.

According to research by Herb’s nephew, various newspaper reports tell us that Herb enlisted in the Army in July 1942 and was on active service with the Irish Regiment, a month later he was taking a special course related to gases and shortly after that he completed basic training in Brampton. In October of that same year, he volunteered for special training at Fort Benning, Georgia. In the spring of 1944, he received orders to Camp W. Henry Harrison near Helena, Montana and was assigned to the FSSF (First Special Service Force) for further training.

The FSSF was a joint Canada-U.S. unit of elite soldiers referred to as the “Devil’s Brigade”.

According to Herb’s nephew, on an occasion when Herb was parachuting, he suffered an angina attack and was told that as a result he would not be sent overseas. Gnr G. H. Arnold was honourably discharged on December 13, 1944.

The 1945 List of Electors for Georgetown shows Herb …a clerk…living “south of Charles and West of Main St”.

Herb married Norma Rusk from Milton.

A newspaper clipping from June 1948 reports “22 wartime houses at the foot of George St. are being built and one successful applicant is Herbert Arnold”. New telephone listings place the family at 8 Churchill Cres., Georgetown (which has since been torn down).

The 1958 Voters List shows Norma and Herbert at 59 Henry St., Georgetown, the 1963 list shows the couple having moved to Limehouse, 1968 List of Electors places George Herbert and second wife Marjorie May living at 45 Churchill Crecent, at this time Herb’s occupation was listed as foreman…likely at Provincial/Abitibi paper mill, where he worked until he retired.

Herb died on April 22, 1996, and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Georgetown.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on.

*Information provided by Mike Harley and obtained from Ancestry.ca