Remembering the fallen: George Ware
George Robert Ware was born on May 8, 1917 in Nassagaweya, to Albert and Alice Ware of Rockwood.
He was raised in Rockwood.
On June 1, 1940, Ware enlisted in the 12th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA), headquartered in Guelph.
After completing a tank driver/mechanic course on Feb. 17, 1941, he was assigned to the regiment’s Guelph-headquartered 16th battery. He embarked from Halifax and arrived in Liverpool, England on July 30, 1941.
Ware and his 12th Field Regiment, part of the 3rd Canadian Division, landed at Juno Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Operation Tractable (Aug. 14 to 16) was an important part of the larger, overall battle of the Falaise Gap/Pocket. The heavy Canadian losses during Operation Totalize were inflicted by some of the strongest opposition on the Normandy front.
After re-grouping, the launch of Operation Tractable on Aug. 14 was a concentrated effort to break through the German lines towards Falaise.
Supporting the ground attack, RAF and RCAF aircraft were providing tactical air support.
They attacked short of the target and their bombs fell on the Canadian artillery and transport areas.
Ware was severely injured by a bomb blast. His wounds were too severe and he died in the early morning of Aug. 15, 1944.
Ware was buried in the Bayeux War Cemetery in Bayeux, Normandy, France.
