Faller, John James

John Faller Jr. was born on August 14, 1920 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba to parents John and Hetty Faller. When he was just a boy, his parents separated and although he had five siblings, they were unable to remain together. John was sent to live with relatives in the Grassy Lake area, where he attended school. He later moved to Lethbridge and lived with his grandparents, Sebastian and Mary Voeller. At time of enlistment, he was single and working as a farm hand. On February 5, 1942, John Faller was called to serve under the terms of the National Resources Mobilization Act. One month later, he travelled to Camrose and enlisted for active service with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Following training at bases in Edmonton, Calgary and Camrose, Private Faller arrived in the United Kingdom on June 13, 1942. He spent the next two years in the United Kingdom with the Canadian Scottish, but did have a brief stint with the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps during August 1942. On June 6, 1944, Private Faller joined thousands of young Canadians storming Juno Beach as part of the D-Day Invasion. On June 9, 1944, Private Faller was killed in action. The Canadian Scottish Regiment was involved in heavy fighting in Normandy that day. They had made huge advances during the first couple of days, but were now meeting stiff opposition. He was placed in a temporary grave near where he fell, and was later reinterred at Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. For his wartime service, Private Faller was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp