Daniel Spry

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Daniel Charles Spry
Daniel Spry.jpg
BornFebruary 4, 1913
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
DiedApril 2, 1989(1989-04-02) (aged 76)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Buried
Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Allegiance Canada
Service/branch Canadian Army
Years of service1932–1946
RankMajor General
UnitThe Royal Canadian Regiment
Commands held1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment


3rd Canadian Infantry Division
Battles/warsSicily
Italy
Normandy
Boulogne
Scheldt
Rhineland
AwardsCommander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Service Order
Canadian Forces Decoration
Other workChief Executive Commissioner of the Scout Movement in Canada

Major General Daniel Charles Spry CBE DSO CD (February 4, 1913 – April 2, 1989) was a senior Canadian Army officer who commanded the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division during Operation Veritable in World War II.[1]

War service[]

In 1943, Spry commanded the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment and then the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, in Italy. In 1944, he commanded the . Later, in 1944, he took charge of the 3rd Canadian Division, in northwest Europe, until the end of the Rhineland Campaign.[2] The commander of II Canadian Corps, Guy Simonds, was dissatisfied with Spry's performance during the assaults on heavily defended woodland near , southeast of Kleve and later on the Hochwald, saying that he "lacked quick tactical appreciation and robust drive in ... urgent tactical situations". In turn, Spry felt that neither Simonds nor Crerar fully understood the situation "at the sharp end of battle". Simonds was adamant that Spry should go but Crerar was more sympathetic and he campaigned for Spry's appointment to the Canadian Reinforcement Units in Britain, appreciating Spry's ability as a trainer of soldiers (endorsed by Simonds) and the value of having a battle experienced officer in that role.[3][4] Spry was relieved of command of the 3rd Division at the end of Operation Blockbuster and he duly left for Britain to command the Canadian Reinforcement Units.

Postwar[]

In 1946, Spry became Vice-Chief of the General Staff at National Defence HQ in Ottawa[1] and retired later that year.[2]

In 1969, Spry presented the , an annual small arms competition for The Royal Canadian Regiment.[5]

Scouting[]

Spry became Director of the Boy Scouts World Bureau and was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting, in 1961.[6] In 1956 he also received the highest distinction of the Scout Association of Japan, the Golden Pheasant Award.[7]

World Organization of the Scout Movement
Preceded by Secretary General
1951–1965 		Succeeded by

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Major-General D.C. Spry". Canada in WWII. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  2. ^ a b Ammentorp, Steen (2000–2009). "Major-General D.C. Spry". Canadian Generals. generals.dk. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  3. ^ Dickson, Paul Douglas (2007). A thoroughly Canadian general. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 9780802008022. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  4. ^ Copp, J. T.; Richard Nielsen (1996). No price too high: Canadians and the Second World War. McGraw-Hill Ryerson. ISBN 9780075527138. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  5. ^ "The Major-General D.C. Spry Trophy". Royal Canadian Regiment. 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ John S. Wilson (1959), Scouting Round the World. First edition, Blandford Press. p. 133, 190, 194, 218, 219, 239, 256, 262, 266, 271, 276, 281
  7. ^ reinanzaka-sc.o.oo7.jp/kiroku/documents/20140523-3-kiji-list.pdf
Military offices
Preceded by GOC 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
1944–1945 		Succeeded by
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