A Company – Irish Regiment of Canada

Lieutenant John James MOFFAT served in A Company of the Irish Regiment of Canada. Born on December 1, 1920, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, John was 24 years old at the time of his death. He stood at 5’9½” and weighed 141 lbs, with a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and dark brown hair. His religious affiliation was with the Church of England, and he was single.

John’s family included his father, William Jeffery, and his mother, Mildred Ethel. The records do not specify if he had siblings. After completing Grade 11, he worked as a bank clerk at the Bank of Commerce in Winnipeg for four years before enlisting.

John enlisted on September 8, 1942, and initially served with the Number 10 District Depot, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Rifles. He had prior military experience, having served with the 2nd Battalion of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders from March 1941 until his enlistment in September 1942. He trained at Gordon Head and qualified as a lieutenant on January 1, 1943. He went overseas with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit.

His service took him to various regions: he served in Canada from April 8, 1942, to June 16, 1943, in the United Kingdom from June 17, 1943, to October 26, 1943, and finally in Italy from October 27, 1943, until his death. John joined the Irish Regiment of Canada on October 19, 1943, while in the UK.

On December 22, 1944, Lieutenant John Moffat was killed in action while leading a fighting patrol at the Senio River in Italy. The patrol was tasked with clearing the reverse dyke of the river but encountered strong enemy resistance. During the ensuing fight, John was struck by a rifle bullet and lost his life.

He was laid to rest in the Villanova Canadian War Cemetery in Italy, where his grave is located in Plot II, Row A, Grave 2. John’s courage and dedication are remembered and honored in his final resting place.