Sergeant Herbert William Curran
Survivor of WW2
Date of Death:
Service Biography
Herbert William Curran was born at Covey Hill, Quebec, on 21 November 1907. Before the war he worked as a truck driver and shipper. He enlisted in the Canadian Active Service Force at Montreal on 20 August 1940 and served with the Three Rivers Regiment and Canadian Armoured Corps. He embarked from Halifax in June 1941 and served overseas in the United Kingdom, Italy and Northwest Europe. During his service he qualified as a driver, motor mechanic and Fitter AFV, and progressed from Trooper through Corporal to Sergeant. He was mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished services in Italy. His decorations included the 1939–45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, and War Medal 1939–45. War Service Gratuity records credit him with 1,858 qualifying service days, including 1,507 overseas days. He returned to Canada in August 1945 and was discharged as a Sergeant at Montreal on 20 September 1945 on demobilization.
General Information
Conflict:
WW2
Regimental No.:
D36544
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Armoured Corps
Battalion:
12th Canadian Armoured Regiment
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Covey Hill, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
32 years 8 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
37 years 9 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
69 years 9 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Truck driver / shipper
Next of Kin:
Emily Blanche Curran, wife, 5825 2nd Avenue, Rosemount, Montreal, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
5825 2nd Avenue, Rosemount, Montreal, Quebec
Religion:
United Church of Canada
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 10.5 in / 179 cm
Weight:
140 lbs / 64 kg
Chest:
33.5 in / 85 cm
Expansion:
3.0 in / 8 cm
Marital Status:
Married
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Montreal, Quebec
Discharge Type:
Regular/End of Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
1857 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW2 |
Sergeant |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
12th Canadian Armoured Regiment |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Sergeant |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
12th Army Tank Regiment |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Acting Sergeant |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
12th Army Tank Regiment |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Corporal |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
12th Army Tank Battalion |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Acting Corporal |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
12th Army Tank Battalion |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
Three Rivers Regiment (Tank) |
|
|
|
Awards
| Conflict |
Award |
Action |
Date of Award |
Date of Citation |
Source |
| WW2 |
1939-45 Star |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Italy Star |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
France and Germany Star |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Defence Medal |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
War Medal 1939-45 |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Mention in Despatches |
Award |
|
|
|
Service Chronology
1907-11-21 — Covey Hill, Quebec — Born. Place / Unit: Covey Hill, Quebec.
1934-06-30 — Married Emily Blanche Curran.
1940-08-20 — Montreal, Quebec / Canadian Active Service Force — Enlisted for active service. Place / Unit: Montreal, Quebec / Canadian Active Service Force.
1940-08-24 — Camp Borden, Ontario / Three Rivers Regiment (Tank) — Taken on strength as Trooper. Place / Unit: Camp Borden, Ontario / Three Rivers Regiment (Tank).
1941-02-13 — Camp Borden, Ontario / Military Hospital — Admitted with influenza. Place / Unit: Camp Borden, Ontario / Military Hospital.
1941-02-25 — Camp Borden, Ontario / Military Hospital — Discharged cured and returned to duty. Place / Unit: Camp Borden, Ontario / Military Hospital.
1941-04-23 to 1941-05-01 — Camp Borden, Ontario / Three Rivers Regiment (Tank) — Granted furlough. Place / Unit: Camp Borden, Ontario / Three Rivers Regiment (Tank).
1941-05-02 — Camp Borden, Ontario / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Qualified Motor Mechanic Class II Group B. Place / Unit: Camp Borden, Ontario / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1941-05-21 — Camp Borden, Ontario / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Granted furlough to 21 May 1941. Place / Unit: Camp Borden, Ontario / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1941-06-21 — Halifax, Nova Scotia / 12th Army Tank Battalion — Struck off strength Canadian Army (Canada) on embarkation. Place / Unit: Halifax, Nova Scotia / 12th Army Tank Battalion.
1941-06-21 — Halifax, Nova Scotia / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Struck off strength Canadian Army (Canada) on embarkation. Place / Unit: Halifax, Nova Scotia / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1941-06-22 — Overseas / Canadian Army Overseas — Taken on strength overseas. Place / Unit: Overseas / Canadian Army Overseas.
1941-07-01 — Gourock, Scotland / Canadian Army Overseas — Disembarked in Scotland. Place / Unit: Gourock, Scotland / Canadian Army Overseas.
1941-07-07 to 1941-07-12 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Battalion — Granted landing leave. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Battalion.
1941-08-11 — Reported sick for a dental condition and was sent for dental treatment. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1941-08-23 — Lincoln, England / No. 39 Technical Training Group — Began technical training course. Place / Unit: Lincoln, England / No. 39 Technical Training Group.
1941-09-13 — United Kingdom / No. 39 Technical Training Group — Returned from course. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / No. 39 Technical Training Group.
1941-11-30 — United Kingdom / Canadian Armoured Corps — Qualified Driver Class III. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / Canadian Armoured Corps.
1942-07-14 — United Kingdom / Canadian Armoured Corps — Ceased trade pay as Motor Mechanic Group B and was struck off strength to 2 CACRU for Assembly and Overhaul Course. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 2 CACRU.
1942-07-27 — United Kingdom / 2 CACRU — Taken on strength for Assembly and Overhaul Course. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 2 CACRU.
1942-08-17 — United Kingdom / Canadian Armoured Corps — Returned to parent unit after technical training. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / Canadian Armoured Corps.
1942-10-22 — United Kingdom / Canadian Armoured Corps — Qualified Fitter AFV, Canadian Army 'B'. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / Canadian Armoured Corps.
1942-10-27 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Battalion — Promoted Corporal. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Battalion.
1942-11-11 — United Kingdom / Canadian Armoured Corps — Appointed Acting Corporal. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / Canadian Armoured Corps.
1942-11-11 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Battalion — Appointed Acting Corporal. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Battalion.
1943-01-23 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Confirmed in rank of Corporal. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1943-03-26 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Proceeded on CMHQ course. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1943-04-13 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Returned from CMHQ course. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1943-04-24 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Qualified Fitter AFV (Ram). Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1943-05-07 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Lance Sergeant appointment/status recorded. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1943-05-20 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Qualified Fitter AFV 'A'. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1943-05-28 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Appointed Acting Sergeant. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1943-05-29 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment — Confirmed in rank of Sergeant. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Regiment.
1943-05-31 — United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Battalion — Qualified Fitter AFV 'A'. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 12th Army Tank Battalion.
1943-08-18 — United Kingdom / Canadian Army Overseas — Seen by unit medical officer for fever. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / Canadian Army Overseas.
1943-08-19 — United Kingdom / Field Ambulance — Admitted with fever N.Y.D. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / Field Ambulance.
1943-08-26 — United Kingdom / Field Ambulance — Discharged well and returned to unit. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / Field Ambulance.
1944-01-21 — Italy / Canadian Armoured Corps — Awarded Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp entry recorded. Place / Unit: Italy / Canadian Armoured Corps.
1945-01-29 — Italy / Canadian Armoured Corps — Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy. Place / Unit: Italy / Canadian Armoured Corps.
1945-03-04 — Italy / Canadian Army (CMF) — Struck off strength on embarkation from Italy. Place / Unit: Italy / Canadian Army (CMF).
1945-03-04 — Italy / 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment — Embarked from Italy. Place / Unit: Italy / 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment.
1945-03-06 — France / Canadian Army — Disembarked in France. Place / Unit: France / Canadian Army.
1945-03-06 — France / 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment — Disembarked in France. Place / Unit: France / 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment.
1945-03-15 to 1945-03-24 — Granted eight days privilege leave to the United Kingdom with allowance. Place / Unit: Northwest Europe / Canadian Army.
1945-07-15 — United Kingdom / 192 Canadian Depot — Disembarked in the United Kingdom. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 192 Canadian Depot.
1945-07-18 — United Kingdom / 192 Canadian Depot — Granted 10 days leave with allowance in lieu of rations. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / 192 Canadian Depot.
1945-08-06 — Overseas / Canadian Army Overseas — Overseas service terminated for War Service Gratuity purposes. Place / Unit: Overseas / Canadian Army Overseas.
1945-08-07 — Montreal South, Quebec / No. 4 District Depot — Taken on strength from Canadian Army Overseas on return to Canada. Place / Unit: Montreal South, Quebec / No. 4 District Depot.
1945-08-07 — Continued trade pay, Group A Fitter, on return to Canada. Place / Unit: Montreal South, Quebec / No. 4 District Depot.
1945-08-16 to 1945-09-14 — Montreal, Quebec / No. 4 District Depot — Granted leave with ration allowance. Place / Unit: Montreal, Quebec / No. 4 District Depot.
1945-09-20 — Montreal, Quebec / Canadian Army — Discharged as Sergeant on demobilization. Place / Unit: Montreal, Quebec / Canadian Army.
Notes
Born at Covey Hill, Quebec, on 21 November 1907. Before enlistment he worked as a truck driver and shipper and spoke English and French. He had seven years of public schooling. His enlistment medical examination recorded brown eyes, brown hair, height 5 ft 10½ in, weight 140 lb, chest 33½ in and 3 in expansion. He was married to Emily Blanche Curran and they had two children, Elizabeth and John. War Service Gratuity records credit him with 1,858 qualifying service days, including 1,507 qualifying overseas days. At discharge his address was recorded as 5572 Jeanne Mance Street, Montreal, Quebec.
[Previous notes - manual reconciliation required]
Enlisted: Montreal on August 20th, 1940
Born: Covey Hill, Nov 21, 1907
Herbert William Curran BIRTH 21 NOV 1907 • Covey Hill, Havelock Twp, Huntingdon, Quebec DEATH 12 SEP 1977 • Covey Hill, Havelock Twp, Huntingdon, Quebec
Parents: Mr and Mrs J. W. Curran, 5572 Jeanne Mance St., Montreal, Quebec
Request confirmation number EA2026_0172720
Additional Service Notes
Served in the Canadian Army from 20 August 1940 to 20 September 1945, including 1,858 qualifying service days and 1,507 qualifying overseas days. He joined the Three Rivers Regiment (Tank), embarked from Halifax on 21 June 1941 and was taken on strength overseas on 22 June 1941. In the United Kingdom he completed technical training and qualified as a driver, motor mechanic and Fitter AFV. He progressed through Acting Corporal and Corporal, was appointed Acting Sergeant on 28 May 1943 and confirmed in the rank of Sergeant on 29 May 1943. His file records service in the United Kingdom, Italy and Northwest Europe. He was mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished services in Italy. He embarked from Italy on 4 March 1945, disembarked in France on 6 March 1945, returned through the United Kingdom in July 1945, and returned to Canada on 7 August 1945. He was discharged as a Sergeant on demobilization at Montreal on 20 September 1945.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Married Emily Blanche Curran on 30 June 1934. In 1940 they lived at 5825 2nd Avenue, Rosemount, Montreal, Quebec. Their children were Elizabeth, age 5, and John, age 2. Father John Curran and mother Ethel Curran were both recorded living in Montreal.
Version: 3 Last modified: 2026-09-19 02:05:03
by: marc
