B63763 Rifleman Ernest Mitchell was the son of E. Mitchell, and Annie Mitchell and was born in Richmond Hill, Ontario on December 1, 1922, and attended school there, the family moving to Toronto just prior to his enlistment on June 13, 1940.
His physical description was: 5 feet, 6 inches in height; 150 lbs.; blue; light brown hair; and dark complexion. At enlistment he was working as a Labourer in an Iron Foundry and stated his preference after discharge to become a butcher. He was initially attached to the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, transferring to 1st Special Services after receiving his paratrooper wing and just prior to the Anzio invasion.
Private Ernest Vernon Mitchell died of wounds on May 29, 1944 while serving with the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion (Devil’s Brigade). He was fatally wounded near Artena, Italy in an action in which he was awarded the Silver Star. He is buried in the Beach Head War Cemetery (Anzio), Italy.
Content from RCL Magazine
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive 