Charles Henry Byce

One of Canada's most decorated soldiers

During the Second World War, Canadians from across the country signed up to do their part.

One of those individuals was Charles Henry Byce.

Born on March 9, 1916 in Chapleau, Ontario, his father was Henry Charles Byce, a veteran of the First World War who earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

As a child, Byce was sent to the St. John’s Residential School.

When he was a teenager, he moved to Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) for work.

In July 1940, he enlisted with the Lake Superior Regiment and was sent to Camp Borden for training. It was there he met Frances DeGrasse, whom he married in October 1941.

The regiment left for Britain in August 1942 and received extensive training. It then landed in France a few weeks after D-Day in July 1944. On Aug. 5, 1944, the regiment saw action for the first time as it began to move across France and Belgium.