Obit: Windsor WW2 vet who visited France 80 years later dies at 102

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Charles Davis, September 27, 1922 to April 10, 2025

A year later, the 80th anniversary of a key event was held in France, which helped end World War II, Windsor veteran Charles Davis will return to Europe again this spring to help commemorate the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945.

Davis, a Canadian soldier who participated in both campaigns and was one of the last representatives of the fading courage of war, died Thursday at the age of 102.

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“I just broke it,” said daughter Terry Davis-Fitzpatrick joined his father last June as part of a Canadian delegation to commemorate the 1944 Normandy Allied Landing Anniversary.

“This person is bigger than life. Everyone knows him. He is a very friendly, happy person.

“I will have a big gap now.”

Davis, who grew up in Port Dover, was 18 years old nearly two years after World War II, left work at a sheet metal shop in Brantford to enlist. He later moved to Royal Canadian Service.

When Davis was 21 years old, he was loaded with 10 tons of ammunition in Normandy four days after Day D, and local battles were still raging. His duty is to provide an infantry division landing in France The largest marine military invasion in history.

The Allied movement, known as Operation Overlord, paved the way for the liberation of Europe from Nazi rule.

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Canada suffered 1,096 casualties and 381 deaths on Day D alone. Davis, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, will continue to help liberation of the Netherlands, and he continued nearly a year after the war ended until December 6, 1946.

“My father taught me about the dangers of war and sacrifice when he was very young.” Davis-Fitzpatrick.

“I always wanted to make sure he was celebrated for his efforts in the war.”

Davis was invited back to the beach in Normandy for the 50th anniversary of D-days and then returned every five years.

Recently, Davis wrote a story about his wartime experience, reading aloud at the anniversary ceremony in Windsor last November. He was unable to attend due to health issues.

In addition to serving in the military, Davis is also a devout husband, father and grandfather.

He met “lifelong love” During the war, they moved together to Windsor, where four daughters were at Doris Elizabeth Fox on the east end of London, England. His nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren survived.

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“He’s like a walking historian and encyclopedia,” said Davis-Fitzpatrick.

“He knows everything about everything. There is only a lot of knowledge.”

On his last trip to Normandy in 2024, Davis visited the grave of his corporal and friend William Pike, who was killed in action. He stood again on the sandy beach where he drove to fight with young soldiers.

“It’s very gloomy.” Davis-Fitzpatrick.

“He just looked at the beach and recalled, probably thinking about his comrades landing on the beach and coming in. Many were killed.”

In honor of his fallen comrade, Davis would often talk to the younger generation about those ultimate sacrifices.

Although it is subsequently planned to travel to the Netherlands this spring, Davis may feel that the visit will be his last sentence when his words are shared in his last anniversary speech:

“I returned to Normandy and Juno Beach to celebrate D-Day’s 80th anniversary, and pay my respects again, but this time it’s different.”

“When I stared at the waters of Juno Beach and thought of my comrades, I knew it would be my last visit.

“And at the age of 102, I was almost certain.”

Funeral details are being arranged with the Windsor family’s first funeral home.

mmazak@postmedia.com

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