B75430 Rifleman William “Bill” Charles Drohan was born on 6 June 1924 in Toronto, Ontario, the son of George William and Elsie May Drohan. He had two younger sisters and a brother who died in 1941.

He attended Withrow Public School but left school after finishing one year of high school.

Drohan had worked as an auto mechanic helper for the  Toronto Daily Star when he enlisted on 2 July 1942 with the 48th Highlanders. He’d spend a month serving with the Irish Regiment militia battalion. Drohan was treated for severe appendicitis in September 1942.

In February 1943 he was transferred to The Queen’s Own Rifles and continued his training in Camp Borden and New Brunswick. He was promoted to Corporal on 1 March 1943 however in March 1944 he reverted to Rifleman at his own request. He travelled to the UK in September 1943 and continued his training.

Rifleman Drohan landed on Juno Beach with D Company on D-Day, 6 June 1944 but was killed in action during the battle for Le Mesnil Patry on 11 June 1944.

He is buried in Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference VI. H. 13.