Major Harry L. Mitcheltree

Major Harry L. Mitcheltree
Royal Canadian Engineers
1911 – 1977

Harry was born in Kamloops, British Columbia, raised in Banff Alberta and completed his post secondary studies in Calgary.

Between December 14, 1931 and June 20, 1935 he was a member of the Non Military Active Militia, 13th Field Company Corps of Canadian Engineers in Calgary. From June 21, 1935 until August 31, 1939 he served in the Permanent Active Militia RCE based in Calgary.

On September 1, 1939 Harry became a member of the Canadian Army Active RCE and embarked for Britain in May 1940 through Pier 21. In September Harry met Hilda Fisher, in London, where she was completing her university studies to become a speech therapist. Harry was commissioned in the rank of Lieutenant in the 1st Canadian Division RCE in October 1940. On May 2, 1942 Hilda Fisher and Harry Lionel Mitcheltree were married in the village of Irchester.

After spending time in Britain, Harry served in the Central Mediterranean and in North and West Europe. While with the 4th Company RCE, he was wounded in Sicily on July 22, 1943, as a result of friendly air cover. After initial treatment in a field hospital, he was evacuated to Algiers on the Llandovery Castle Medical ship for further treatment. Harry rejoined his unit in February 1944 where it was now part of the Canadian Infantry Division and located on the Adriatic coast in the Ortona salient. In June of that year he was assigned to HQ, 5th Canadian Armoured Division until March 1945. After his promotion to Captain that month Harry served with HQ, First Canadian Army as Staff Officer, Royal Engineers (SORE) until repatriated to Britain on August 14, 1945.

While Harry was serving in the Italian Campaign, his wife Hilda was recruited by Department of Veterans Affairs. A speech treatment centre for brain injured Canadian servicemen and women was being established in the Christie Street Veterans Hospital in Toronto. On October 7, 1944 Hilda entered Canada through Pier 21 and travelled by train to Toronto to begin her work. At that time only one other speech pathologist was working in Toronto.

Harry embarked for Canada on Sept 3, 1945 and disembarked at Pier 21. He travelled by train to Ottawa where families were reunited in a football stadium. Harry was posted to Corps Head Quarters, the couple settled in Ottawa and on October 1, 1946 Harry became a member of the Canadian Army Regular RCE. His daughter Deborah Anne was born October 2, 1946 and his son Paul Lionel Fisher was born June 4, 1949.

In July 1950 Harry was posted to HQ RCE, Western Command in Calgary and in January 1952 he was promoted to the rank of Major. Harry was posted for several months to Edmonton and in September of that year was transferred to HQ RCE Eastern Command in Halifax. His final posting took him to QMG Ottawa in March 1956.

Harry retired from his service with the Canadian Military on January 1, 1961 and the family moved to Halifax. He then began work as a specification writer with Duffus, Romans Kundzins Architects. He provided onsite inspection for the firm during the construction of the Bedford Oceanographic Institute.

Harry retired in August 1970 and died on December 30, 1977.

As a result of his wartime service Harry received the following Awards and Medals:
1939-45 Star
Italian Star
Defence Medal
France Germany Star
C.V.S.M. and Clasp War Medal 39-45
Cdn. Forces Decoration and 1st Clasp

Deborah, daughter
Paul, son
Military Records.