K46678 Rifleman Ole Herman Thorell was born in Wadema, Saskatchewan, on 12 January 1920. He was the son of Harold Thorell and Ida Maria Nordstrom, and had three brothers (one in the RCAF and one in the army) and two sisters.

He worked as a miner with Brittania Mines Ltd. when he first enlisted for training under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) on 2 December 1942 and was attached to the Irish Fusiliers militia battalion for this purpose. After various training and appointments, he was posted to the Prince of Wales Rangers before arriving overseas on 26 May 1944. After arriving in France, he was posted to The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada on 2 August 1944 and fought with them throughout North West Europe.

On three occasions he was appointed or promoted to Lance Corporal or Corporal but reverts to private/rifleman at his own request.

Service Record:

• 2 Dec 1942 – On enlistment posted to National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) Clearing Depot
• 4 Dec 1942 – Attached to Irish Fusiliers (3rd Battalion)
• Trained in Vernon. BC, Port Alberni, Debert, Nova Scotia
• 16 Feb 1943 – Appointed Lance Corporal
• 18 Mar 1943 – Appointed Acting Corporal
• 17 Jun 1943 – Confirmed in rank of Corporal
• 10 Aug 1943 – Posted to Prince of Wales Rangers
• 7 Apr 1944 – Enlisted in Terrace, British Columbia, with active service army
• 26 May 1944 – Arrives in the United Kingdom
• 11 Apr 1944 – Posted to 1st Battalion Canadian Fusiliers
• 10 Apr 1944 – Reverts to Private at own request
• 1 May 1944 – Appointed Acting Corporal
• 26 Jul 1944 – Reverts to Fusilier at own request
• 30 Jul 1944 – Arrives in France
• 7 Aug 1944 – Transferred to QOR reinforcement list
• 2 Aug 1944 – Taken on strength with The Queen’s Own Rifles
• 14 Sep 1944 – Appointed Lance Corporal
• 14 Oct 1944 – Reverts to Rifleman at own request
• 4 Oct 1944 – Attached to Headquarters of 3 Canadian Infantry Division
• 25 Oct 1944 – He ceases attachment to HQ 3 CID

Rifleman Thorell was killed in action in Germany during Operation Blockbuster on 26 February 1945, aged 24. He is buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference VIII. D. 2. His family had the following engraved on his marker:

LOVING MEMORIES
OF OUR DEAR SON AND BROTHER
WHO GAVE HIS LIFE
FOR FREEDOM

His mother received his war service gratuity of $169.89 (almost $3,000 in 2024.)