True Wartime Service: A Family Story
Russell, John, Wilfred, Lawrence, Eric and Harold.
What do these lads have in common?
Well, let’s start with their last name—True.
All six boys—the sons of Henry and Bertha True of Ottawa—served Canada in time of war. One of them—Wilfred—made the ultimate sacrifice during the Normandy Campaign in the Second World War.
In all, Henry and Bertha had 16 children; 11 sons and five daughters. Two of their sons died within the first year of birth. In addition to the six who served, the Trues had three other boys who were deemed medically unfit for military service.
First to join the military was Russell, in early 1941. When he left home, he was 22 years old and his young wife was pregnant. Russell’s service with the Royal Canadian Engi...