Remembering World War II

Name: Thomas Standing Rank: Private Service Number: Unknown Service: West Nova Scotia Regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps Date of Birth: October 10, 1910 Place of Birth: Burgeo, Newfoundland Date of Death: July 7, 1945 Age at Death: 34 Cemetery: Lakeside Cemetery, North Sydney, Cape Breton, NS Grave Inscription: “He gave his life in World War 2” Currently not commemorated in Canada’s Second World War Book of Remembrance, nor the Canadian Virtual War Memorial or the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Thomas Standing was the son of William Thomas Standing (1875-1932), and Sarah (Strickland) Standing (1883- 1965). His father was born in Burgeo, Newfoundland; his mother on Hunt’s Island, NL, just south of Burgeo. According to his marriage record, Thomas was born in Sydney, Cape Breton, NS, however, the 1921 census and death record indicate Burgeo, NL as his place of birth. Regardless of which town he was born in, he grew up in Newfoundland. He and his family were living in the area of Burgeo La-Poile, NL, when the 1921 census was completed. By 1923, he and his parents had moved to North Sydney, NS. His younger sister Emma and brother Hector were both born in North Sydney. Thomas married Florence C. Murray (1913-1995) on May 19, 1934, in North Sydney, Cape Breton. At the time he listed his occupation as laborer. They had two children - a son, William (1934-2008), and a daughter, Lilian (1943-2009). He was working as a cook for 3 years until June 1942 which means he most likely enlisted in the Canadian Army some time in 1942/1943. Based on his death certificate it is known he served with the Canadian Army Overseas in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps in Italy. His unit was the West Nova Scotia Regiment. The family was living at Commercial Street, in Sydney Cape Breton when he returned from war and he was admitted to the Camp Hill Hospital in Halifax. Home for 34 days, he was admitted to Camp Hill Hospital for 29 before he died in hospital. His cause of death is recorded as Pulmonary Congestion due to Acute Myocarditis caused by Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis; from burns sustained in Italy in September 1944.” He had been injured September 19, 1944, a costly day for the West Nova Scotia Regiment with 13 killed in action and 48 wounded in action. His brother William “Ward” Standing (1920-1988) also served Canada in WWII, with the Cape Breton Highlanders.

Thomas Standing

Sources: Wayne MacVicar (Cape Bretoners in WWII) Dave Gilhen