Donald Morrison was born in 1920 in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.  His ancestors hailed from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, emigrating to Nova Scotia in the 1820s.  His parents were Norman and Margaret (nee MacDonald) Morrison of Whitney Pier in Sydney.  Donald was with the merchant marine before he joined the army. While stationed in Scotland he met and later married Agnes Swinton, of Carntyne, Glasgow.  Agnes, known as Nan, was a teleprinter/telegraphist in the WRAF, based in Prestwick.

Donald was with A Squadron, 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars.  The 17th Hussars were part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.

 

17th Duke of York's Royal
Canadian Hussars

Donald in Scotland
(Picture courtesy of Mr. Stewart Swinton)

The history of the 7th Recce Regiment states: " The day before the war ended found "B" Squadron trying desperately to get to Emden through an absolute maze of canals; "C" Squadron waiting for the Engineers to build a bridge so that they could carry out their orders to push on to the North Sea and "A" Squadron, the most northerly troops of the 3rd Canadian Division, having a stiff fight with the enemy as they held the only two bridges over the Ems Jade canal giving access to Aurich. They had got up there after a day of brilliant manoeuver, only to find the old story of blown bridges covered by enemy fire. Unfortunately, though they had taken some 100 prisoners that day, they suffered casualties, themselves, losing Cpl. Morrison and Sgt. Dabbs to the Honour Roll. Shortly after this incident occurred, an envoy from Aurich appeared under a flag of truce and was conducted to 8th Brigade Headquarters."

Donald and Sgt Dabbs were both shot by a sniper on 4 May 1945. When the telegram reporting Donald's death reached the Morrison/Swinton family in Scotland, they lowered the flags that they had hung up to celebrate Victory Day.

Cpl Donald Morrison is buried at Holten Canadian War Cemetery, grave XII. A. 2.

 

See also:
Sgt Harold Dabbs

All casualties of the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars. 

Sources:
Mr Stewart Swinton
Mrs Wilma MacDonald
Capt. Walter G. Pavey, AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 7th Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment, , Montreal

Directions to Holten Canadian War Cemetery

Posted 27 April 2009
Updated 22 June 2011

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This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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