PTE. GEOFFREY CLARENCE OHR
JULY 20, 1925 – APRIL 28, 1945
Submitted by Janice Kidwell,
BCGS Member #5033
Pte. Geoffrey Clarence Ohr was the son of Henry and Edith Lily (Blades) Ohr of Vancouver, B.C. Geoffrey had two brothers and four sisters. The 1931 Vancouver census lists the family as living on Gladstone Street in Vancouver. Geoffrey is 5 years old. His father’s profession is as a butcher.
Geoffrey attended Tecumseh Elementary School and John Oliver High School in Vancouver and was a member of the United Church.
Geoffrey enlisted and his Attestation Papers were signed October 21, 1943 at the Central Station X1 Recruiting District Depot in Vancouver. He was 18 years old. Geoffrey would serve with the Canadian Scottish Regiment, R.C.I.C. (Royal Canadian Infantry Corps); his Regimental number was K/606.
Geoffrey worked as a construction helper for Dominion Bridge Co. in Vancouver and at the time of enlistment he had worked there for 1½ years. Pte. Ohr had the traditional examinations, tests and vaccines and was deemed fit for service.
On November 4, 1943 Pte. Ohr was Taken Off Service from No. 11 District Depot and transferred to a major military training camp in Red Deer, Alberta referred to as the A-20 Army Camp. Further training was held Feb. 26, 1944 and April 11, 1944, both at the same training camp.
On April 11, 1944 Pte. Ohr qualified as a Class 111 Driver for specialized vehicles. On April 19, 1944 Pte. Ohr was granted Class 111 Vocational Training School for training as a cook.
On May 19, 1944 Pte. Ohr went to Vernon and on June 20, 1944 went to Gordon Head. which is located on Vancouver Island.
On November 30, 1944 Pte. Ohr embarked in Quebec; arriving in the UK in early December. On February 12, 1945 Pte. Ohr emplaned in the UK and deplaned in North West Europe the same day.
Private Geoffrey Clarence Ohr was Killed in Action in Germany on April 28, 1945. He was 19 years old. A temporary burial took place at Wettringen St. Josephs House V 7302 cemetery in Germany.
On May 29, 1945 a Canadian message was dispensed to the family and on June 8, 1945 a Royal Message was dispensed to the family.
On June 25, 1946 Private Ohr’s father received a letter stating that his son’s remains had been carefully and respectfully reburied at Holten Canadian War Cemetery. The gravesite was IX.H.9. A temporary cross had been installed and once a permanent headstone had taken place the family would be notified.
Pte. Ohr received the following medals:
- 1939-45 STAR
- France and Germany STAR
- War Medal
- Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp
Private Ohr’s father received his son’s medals including the Defence Medal; his mother received the Memorial Cross.
Pte. Ohr had purchased a $100.00 Seventh Victory Loan which was given to his mother.
War Service
Canada: October 21, 1943 – November 30, 1944
U.K. December 1, 1944 – February 12, 1945
N.W. Europe: February 13, 1945 – April 28, 1945
Total qualifying service was 556 days; overseas service was 134 days plus a War Service Gratuity.
GRAVE INSCRIPTION
K606 PRIVATE
G.C. OHR
CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT
28TH APRIL 1945 AGE 19
+
LOVED AND LONGED FOR ALWAYS
BY DAD AND MOM
TWO BROTHERS
AND FOUR SISTERS
Private Ohr is commemorated on page 551 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. This page is displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on November 19.
Pte. Ohr has been remembered in the Scotland National War Memorial Index 1939-1945
Pte. Ohr has also been remembered on the John Oliver Roll of Honour which is located in the foyer of the school.
Newspaper Notices
• May 14, 1945, page 7 Vancouver Sun and page 9 in the Province, GC Ohr severely wounded.
• May 15, 1945 – obituary notice
• May 18, 1945, page 8. Vancouver Sun – G.C. Ohr died of wounds
• May 19, 1945, page 7, Province. C Ohr died of wounds
Geographical Feature
Private Geoffrey Ohr has been honoured with a British Columbia Geographical Feature – Ohr Creek. Ohr Creek flows west into the Chilako River, which is located in the Cariboo Land District. It is named to remember Geoffrey C. Ohr, K/606 of the Canadian Scottish R.C.I.C. Ohr enlisted in Vancouver, B.C. and was the son of Henry and E. Lily Ohr, of Vancouver. Ohr died in active service on 28 April 1945 at age 19. It was adopted 6 February 1987 as was required by Water Management Branch, Prince George.
Sources
• www.ancestry.com
• B.C. Archives
• https://albertaonrecord.ca/20-army-camp
• https://canadianfallen.ca/
• BC Geographical Names – Province of British Columbia
Printed in The British Columbia Genealogist, December 2024