Gerald Joseph Doucette F/40668 Private West Nova Scotia Regiment, R.C.I.C. February 5, 1918 (actual February 5, 1923) Belliveau's Cove, Nova Scotia November 1, 1939 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Belliveau's Cove, Nova Scotia 20 (actual 16) 5 feet, 11 inches fair blue brown Labourer Roman Catholic Single Laura Doucette (Mother) Belliveau's Cove, Nova Scotia August 2, 1943 (Killed in action) 20 Agira Canadian War Cemetery, Sicily B, C, 159. Commemorated on Page 154 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on March 31 Private Gerald Joseph Doucette was the son of J. Camille Doucette (b. 1886) and Laura E. (Melanson) Doucette (1893-1982), of Belliveau Cove, Digby Co., Nova Scotia. His parents were married in Digby County in 1922. Gerald’s siblings were Joseph Artidore Doucet (1924-2002), Dr Felix Doucet (1930-2002), Rose Anne Doucet, and Corinne Marie Doucet (1934-1992). Private Doucette was 16 years of age when he enlisted. He embarked in Canada on December 21, 1939, and arrived in England on January 1, 1940. After training and serving in the United Kingdom throughout 1941, 1942 and the first half of 1943, he embarked in England on June 16, 1943, and landed in Sicily on July 10, 1943. At the end of July 1943, the West Nova Scotia Regiment occupied “Mount Peloso, a rocky eminence half way to Regalbuto, on the 31st, and the next day were ordered to march three miles to the north-east and seize Mount Criscina, a massive 2000-foot crag midway between Centuripe and Regalbuto. A change in orders held the bulk of the battalion for 24 hours in positions just east of the Regalbuto road, near the tiny hamlet of Rosamarina, on a small ridge to which they gave the name "Whistling Hill". The Carleton and Yorks were brought up on the right, and both battalions sent patrols to probe forward to the forbidding Mount Criscina. On the left flank the Royal 22e prepared to move north from Mount Peloso, for the 3rd Brigade now had the dual role of covering the 78th Division's left and at the same time establishing contact with the 231st Brigade and the units of the 1st Canadian Division fighting for possession of Regalbuto. When, early on 2 August, word was brought back to the West Novas that the Criscina objective was free of enemy, preparations were made to resume the advance. But the intelligence proved faulty. While "A" and "D" Companies were crossing the low ground north-west of Whistling Hill, heavy rifle, and machine-gun fire, burst from the lower slopes of Mount Criscina. The hill was being held as one of the outposts of the Centuripe defences by crack troops of the 3rd Parachute Regiment, well equipped with automatic weapons, and backed by mortars and artillery. All through the afternoon the two companies made repeated and valiant efforts to close with the enemy, but always the burst of mortar shells and the hail of bullets across the open ground drove them back. Wireless failure deprived them of artillery support; but towards sundown a section of Vickers machine-guns reached Whistling Hill, and under their fire the West Nova companies were able to disengage and bring back their wounded. It was the regiment's bloodiest day in Sicily; one officer and 18 other ranks were killed, and one officer and 26 other ranks wounded.” (“Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War,” Volume II) In "West Novas" by Thomas H. Raddall, there is a passage how Gerald Doucette was killed in action during the attack at Monte Criscina on August 2, 1943: "In one of the abortive attacks the Bren gunners of one forward section were killed or wounded, leaving the rest in a dangerous position without covering fire. Pte. Thomas Martell dashed to the gun and carried it forward together with the ammunition clips, in full view of the enemy. (Martell later received the Distinguished Conduct Medal.) In the same situation Pte. G. J. Doucette picked up his Bren and dashed straight up the hill, firing from the hip at the German riflemen. His daring and determined rush carried him far up the slope but he was shot down as he paused to reload." Gerald Joseph Doucette is interred at the Agira Canadian War Cemetery in Sicily.