Name: Sidney Archibald Garland Rank: Private Service Number: F/445934 Service: Royal Canadian Infantry Corps Date of Birth: November 17, 1916 Place of Birth: Upper Kennetcook, Hants Co., NS Date of Enlistment: December 3, 1943 Place of Enlistment: Halifax, NS Address At Enlistment: Upper Kennetcook, Hants Co., NS Age at Enlistment: 27 Height: 5 feet, 10 inches Weight: 152 lbs. Eyes: Blue Hair: Dark Brown Trade: Farmer Marital Status: Single Religion: Church of England Next of Kin: Ruby Garland (Mother) Upper Kennetcook, Hants Co., NS Date of Death: March 15, 1944 Age At Death: 27 Cemetery: Upper Kennetcook (St. Peter’s) Anglican Cemetery Inscription: “While you, dear son, rest and sleep, your loving memory we’ll always keep” Commemorated on Page 312 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on July 2 Sidney Archibald Garland was the only son of William Archibald (1874-1957) and Ruby Irene (Miller) Garland (1887-1959), of Upper Kennetcook. He had three sisters, Lucy (1912-1997), Sylvia and Edna, and one brother Harry Maxwell Garland (1924-1940). Upon enlistment with the 2nd Battalion, West Nova Scotia Regiment, he completed 30 days of training at No. 60 Canadian Infantry Basic Training Centre, Course 3, in Yarmouth, NS, between January 10 and February 8, 1941, under the National Resources Mobilization Act of 1940. From February 2 to 22, 1941, he has admitted to the Yarmouth Military Hospital with appendicitis. In December, 1943, he then re-enlisted to serve at Halifax and was sent to No. 60 CIBTC Yarmouth for training, serving with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. His enlistment record indicates “he was quiet and reserved and had a frank and direct manner”, and that, “he seems somewhat worried as to how his 70-year-old father can carry on the farm alone”. They added that, “he is well-adjusted and responsible and should have little difficulty in completing normal training in the Infantry”. On the night of March 15, 1944, he left the barracks and failed to return. Just over two months later, Private Garland’s body was recovered from the Yarmouth Harbour on May 26, 1944. It may never be known what happened to Sidney; an enquiry concluded that cause of death was accidental drowning. Sources and Information: Commonwealth War Graves Commission Veterans Affairs Canada findagrave