Remembering World War II

William Lyall Izzard

Name: William Lyall Izzard Rank: Private Service Number: F/ 76355 Service: North Nova Scotia Highlanders, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps Date of Birth: April 3, 1922 Place of Birth: Boylston, Guysborough Co., NS Date of Enlistment: November 10, 1942 Place of Enlistment: Halifax, NS Age at Enlistment: 20 Address at Enlistment: Barney’s River, Pictou Co., NS Height: 5 feet, 9 inches Marital Status: Single Trade: Mill hand Religion: Presbyterian Next of Kin: William Archibald Izzard (father) Date of Death: June 7, 1944 Age at Death: 22 Cemetery: Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Calvados, France Grave: II. A. 8. Commemorated on Page 343 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on July 24 William Lyall Izzard was the son of William Archibald Izzard and Annie Louise Izzard, of Barney River Station, Pictou Co., Nova Scotia. William was the eldest of a family of ten. He had four brothers – Carmon Theodore, Norman Ainsley, Daniel Arthur and George Archibald and five sisters – Muriel Louise, Celestia Ruby, Mary Janetta, Suzie Patricia, and Margaret Elizabeth. Prior to enlistment he worked as a mill hand at a lumber mill in Barney’s River, NS. He worked at McIvor’s Store in Barney’s River and was very popular throughout the district. William enjoyed softball, playing guitar and the mouth organ [harmonica]. He completed his Basic Training at Camp 60 In Yarmouth, NS, from November 10, 1942, to March 28, 1943, and his Advance Training at #A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Aldershot, NS from March 28 to June 17, 1943. His military record includes the following comments, “this young man is short, well-built, cheerful, logical, with a pleasant personality … His M score [evaluation] is very high considering his schooling. He couldn’t go to school until he was old enough to fight – [he is the] only colored lad here. Has ability far above what M score would indicate.” Private Izzard proceeded overseas to England on June 18, 1943. After addition training in England throughout 1943 and early 1944. He landed in France at Juno Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders in the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. He was killed in action during the fighting on June 7, 1944, in Normandy as the North Novas moved further inland from Villons-les-Buissons, to Buron and then Authie. Over 80 West Novas and 7 French civilians were killed in the fighting in and around Authie on June 7, 1944. A war Monument in Authie to those who fell reads: Private Izzard proceeded overseas to England on June 18, 1943. After addition training in England throughout 1943 and early 1944. He landed in France at Juno Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders in the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. He was killed in action during the fighting on June 7, 1944, in Normandy as the North Novas moved further inland from Villons-les-Buissons, to Buron and then Authie. Over 80 West Novas and 7 French civilians were killed in the fighting in and around Authie on June 7, 1944. A War Monument in Authie to those who fell reads: Private Izzard was originally buried in a field Southwest of Authie, and was re-interred at the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Calvados, France. Post-war research has included Private Izzard as one of the 156 Canadian soldiers, slaughtered after they had surrendered to the 12th SS (Hitler Youth) Panzer Division. The claim that Izzard and others were executed is well substantiated in a number of historical accounts, including Unbecoming Conduct, a book written by Harold Margolian and published by the University of Toronto in 1998. A newspaper article indicates that he was missing and then reported killed in action.

Sources: Canadian Virtual War Memorial Barneys River Remembers William Izzard

William Lyall Izzard with the North NS Highlanders, (front row,1st on the left)