Remembering World War II

Name: Francis Dernier Cosgrove Rank: Sergeant Service Number: G/12254 Service: 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Awards/medals: Defence Medal, 1939-45 Star, War Medal, France and Germany Star, CVSM Date of Birth: January 10, 1922 Place of Birth: Halifax, NS Date of Enlistment: January 27, 1941 Place of Enlistment: St. John, NB Address at Enlistment: St. John, NS Height: 5 feet, 6 ½ inches Complexion: Medium Eyes: Blue Hair: Dark brown Trade: Marital Status: Single Religion: Church of England Next of Kin: Margaret Cosgrove (Mother) St. John, NB Date of Death: June 6, 1944 Age at Death: 22 Cemetery: Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France Grave: IX. B. 23. Commemorated on page 280 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on June 16 Francis Dernier Cosgrove was the son of Francis John Cosgrove (1884-1931), and of Margaret Stella (Dernier) Cosgrove (1895-1992), of St. John, New Brunswick. His father was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England and his parents married January 28, 1921 in St. John, NB. Francis had four sisters, Margaret, Catherine, Mary, and Josephine, and one brother James Terence. Francis enjoyed reading biographies, history and fiction and played hockey, football and tennis. He was described as courteous, well mannered, friendly, and pleasant. He was working as a clerk with the New Brunswick Electric Power Company before he enlisted. He initially enlisted with the 2nd/4th Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery. Sergeant Cosgrove successfully completed his parachute training at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA, on December 24, 1942, and was posted to 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. He arrived in the England on July 28, 1943 and took part in Operation Overlord, more specifically he parachuted into France, as part of Operation Tonga, early in the morning of June 6, 1944. The Canadians were transported by Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle transports along with the British 9th Parachute Battalion and the British 3rd Parachute Brigade Headquarters. The details are unknown, but Sergeant Cosgrove was killed in action on the morning of June 6, 1944, aged 21, and was given a field burial at Dives-Sur-Mer, France. He was re-interred to Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France on September 6, 1945.

Francis Dernier Cosgrove