Tavistock’s Cpl. Francis Weitzel looks out from the hatch of a landing craft at Normandy on D-Day on June 6, 1944. Cpl. Weitzel was killed at the Battle of Buron on July 8, 1944. (Photo courtesy of the National Photography Collection, Public Archives of Canada)

LOCAL SOLDIER'S SACRIFICE MEMORIALIZED IN FRANCE
By Bill Gladding, The Tavistock Gazette, May 23, 2018

A one kilometer stretch of road and a walking path connecting the villages of Buron and Saint-Contest in the Normandy region in northwestern France now bears the name of Cpl. Francis Weitzel. The 23-year-old soldier from Tavistock gave his life on July 8, 1944 as the Allies pushed the Germans out of a strategic position in the village and went on to claim Victory in Europe.

Ken and Sharon Weitzel, Cpl. Weitzel’s nephew and his wife, along with nearly a dozen other family members were guests of honour on May 5, 2018 when Cpl. Francis Weitzel Allée (road) was officially named and dedicated. Mayor Stéphanie Yon-Courtin of Saint-Contest spoke of the valour of Cpl. Weitzel when he and his regiment of the Highland Light Infantry were surrounded, but he stormed the Germans and was killed in the assault. His actions saved the lives of 38 of his fellow soldiers and Cpl. Weitzel was later nominated for the Victoria Cross. The road now bearing his name is close to the place where he lost his life. The road sign was unveiled by elected officials by removing the Canadian flag. The street sign is accompanied by a plaque explaining the valour of Cpl. Weitzel.

During the ceremony, nephew Ken Weitzel spoke on behalf of the Weitzel family saying, “I am humbled because I have learned of the heavy civilian casualties and property damage the people of Buron and Normandy endured during the Allied Invasion in 1944. But I am also deeply honoured the citizens of Saint-Contest welcome us back to remember our Uncle who was killed during the conflict.”

The Weitzels were in France from May 1-11 and were “treated royally” by their hosts. Their first visit was to Courseulles-sur-Mer (Juno Beach) where Cpl. Weitzel landed on June 6 with 22,000 of his compatriots. They visited Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery where Cpl. Weitzel is buried, placing his photograph. and a Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada wreath.

The Weitzel family was in France along with a 20-man contingent from the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada. This group is the amalgamation of the Highland Light Infantry and the Scott’s Fusiliers who fought together during WWII. The Fusiliers unveiled a memorial stone in La Place des Canadiens in the town square at Buron. Piper Alex Klausnitzer played the lament at each location during the remembrance ceremonies.

Along with souvenir books, certificates and coins being made available for the event, the Weitzel family was honoured to have a stamp issued bearing the likeness of Cpl. Weitzel. The 20g stamp was issued with several custom-printed envelopes bearing his portrait and the insignia of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada.

Ken Weitzel, 70, said the naming of the street is the culmination of a journey he and his family began in 2007 when the Tavistock and District Historical Society set up a display to honour WWII veterans.

“I didn’t pay a lot of attention to my father and uncle when they talked about Uncle Francis,” Ken said. But when Ken saw the Historical Society display and read the book “Bloody Buron,” which chronicles Cpl. Weitzel’s actions, he wanted to know more about it.

During this time, many photos of his uncle were uncovered by researchers and family. One of special interest is a photo from the National Photography Collection, Public Archives of Canada. It was shown to Cpl. Francis’ brother, Clifford Weitzel. “Cliff recognized him right away,” Ken said, among a sea of faces getting ready to exit the landing craft at Juno Beach.

Ken attended the 65th anniversary of D-Day with members of the Queen’s Own Rifles in 2009. At that time he met Mary Bennett, a Canadian living in Normandy, who was a member of the Friends of Canada. “She offered to check for some references about my uncle, ” Ken said. She found two books written by Buron historian Dominique Barbé. When the Weitzel’s returned five years later, for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, they reached out to Mr. Barbé and he immediately agreed to meet with them and take them on a tour of the area and the place where Ken’s uncle had been killed. Mr. Barbé had interviewed citizens and veterans in the 1980’s and documented the actions on the battlefield, so he knew it first hand.

Since then, in September of 2016, Ken and Sharon organized a family pilgrimmage to Buron with Ken’s older brother Francis and his wife, Shirley, younger brother Glen and his wife, Linda, and their cousin Shirley Weitzel and their niece Amy Weitzel.

To commemorate the 2018 visit, Mr. Barbé published a new booklet entitled “On the Trail of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada.” It highlights the movements of the battalion from their landing at JunoBeach to their liberation of Buron.

As part of their visit, the Canadians were honoured at a reception at Chateau de Villons-les-Buissons, the place where Canadian soldiers set up a post prior to the Battle for Buron. Mme Anne-Marie Lemarinier, owner of the chateau, hosted the event luncheon which was organized by the Saint-Contest Historical Society.

Of note, among the officials with the Royal Highland Fusiliers was Honourary Colonel Brian Rainville, former principal at Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School in Baden (1996-2003).

He and others, including Commanding Officer, Lt. Colonel Mark T. Poland, and Honourary Lt.-Colonel Bernard Melloul later travelled to Edinburgh, Scotland to meet with brother regiments of the Royal Fusiliers 2nd and 6th Battalions. They then went on to Buckingham Palace for a meeting with their Colonel-in-Chief, Prince Andrew, HRH the Duke of York.

Reflecting on the impact of the visit to France with these young Canadian reservists, Ken said, “Those soldiers will be forever changed.”

The Weitzels hope to return to France next year for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. “It’s been an amazing journey,” Ken concluded.

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