B64022 Rifleman Edwin Andrew Whitehouse was born on 18 June 1923 in Brampton, Ontario, the son of Samuel Henry Whitehouse (d.1927) and Margaret Millicent Cuthbert. He had three older sisters and one older brother. He left school at age 13.

Whitehouse joined the Lorne Scot’s militia battalion in January 1940 and worked as a storekeeper at William’s Shoe Company when he enlisted with The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada’s active service battalion on 19 June.

He trained in Camp Borden, served with “W” Force in Newfoundland, trained in Sussex, New Brunswick, and qualified as a Regimental signaller. He landed in Scotland with the Queen’s Own on 29 July 1941. He continued to train with the Regiment and individually (wireless set operator) until D-Day, was appointed Acting Lance Corporal on 24 June 1943 but reverted to Rifleman at his own request in December..

Rifleman Whitehouse landed on Juno Beach with D Company on D-Day, 6 June 1944. He was killed in action on 11 June 1944, aged 20, during the battle for the village of Le Mesnil Patry.

He is buried in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference III. F. 12.

Lieutenant Colonel Spragge wrote to his mother:

“A counter-attack was being formed up against a thinly held point in the line which, if broken, Would have allowed the enemy to break through to the beaches. Although his company was well supported by tanks, casualties were heavy. Through the actions of your son this operation was a success”