Soldiers to make special delivery to Sicily

Donna Newton and Patricia Hall have found another way to remember the Second World War sacrifice of the uncle they never met.

Hall of Tiny, Ontario and Newton of Brantford have put together a package of memorabilia to be placed at the grave of the Gunner Harold Schultz.

A Brantford man who worked at Slingsby Manufacturing prior to enlistment, Schultz died 80 years ago during the Second World War invasion of Sicily. He is buried in the Agira Canadian War Cemetery.

“This is some soil from my backyard garden,” said Newton as she held up a small vial. “This fishing lure is from the time when he would go fishing and of course we have a poppy.”

The sisters are also sending a framed photograph of the two of them and an ornament that reflects one of their uncle’s passions – taxidermy.

Plans call for the items to be placed at their uncle’s grave by Sgt. Adam Brown of the 56th Field Artillery Regiment. Brown is one of 18 soldiers from the regiment participating in Operation Husky, a commemorative march to honor those who died during the Italian campaign.

The soldiers leave July 25 and will participate in a 20-kilometre march and place wreaths at the graves of the fallen including Schultz and Lt. Charles Waterous of Brantford, who was also killed in action in Sicily.

Master Warrant Officer Grant Philpott, of the 56th, will place a wreath at the grave of Waterous. Both Philpott and Brown are veterans of the war in Afghanistan.

Brown, as part of an ongoing training exercise to learn more about Schultz, set out to find his descendants. He found Hall in Tiny, near Barrie as well as Newton, who lives in Brantford.

“It was unbelievable,” Hall, who struggled to hold back tears when asked about the march, said. “I could not believe that my uncle’s name, our uncle’s name is going to be honored this way.

“It is such a privilege and honor for our family.”

Hall said their uncle died long before they were born so they have no direct knowledge of him.

“Everything we know was passed down from our parents but they spoke about the war very infrequently,” Hall said.

But she has become the keeper of family memorabilia and set out to learn more about her uncle and his sacrifice.

“The reason I researched it is because when the grandchildren were going through school they had to do something for Remembrance Day,” Hall said. “They wanted to take some artifacts so I scoured through my father’s stuff and allowed my grandchildren to take them to school.

“I think it’s very important that they understand the sacrifice of all of those who died.”

Newton and Hall delivered the items to Brown and Lt. Col. Patrick Pitt during a recent visit to the Brant County War Memorial and the Brantford Armouries.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to meet them,” Brown said. “To be able to see some of these photos, these artifacts are truly amazing.

“This is a once in a lifetime moment and something I will always cherish.”

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