Major General Roger Rowley,DSO, ED, CD, GCLJ, GOMLJ (12 June 1914 - 14 February 2007) was a Canadian Army officer who was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for his role in liberating Boulogne during September 1944, and a Bar five weeks later for the capture of Breskens on the Scheldt estuary.
In the early years of the war, Captain ( and later Major) Rowley served with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa when they deployed overseas with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. This included the regiment's part in the raid on Iceland in 1940. Troops were sent to the northern island country to destroy facilities that might have been of use to German forces if they were to invade the island. The raid was a success.
Rowley (rear, right) with other officers of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa in England in 1942
The Vickers machine gun was, along with 4.2-inch (110 mm) mortars, the primary weapon of the CH of O as it performed its duties as the Support Battalion to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Rowley commanded the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, during the Allied campaign in North West Europe during 1944. The SD&G formed part of 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, whose participation secured the liberation of the Channel ports of Boulogne and Calais. The Canadians launched their attack on Boulogne on 17 September 1944. The battle raged for six days until the remaining German prisoners surrendered on 22 September. Rowley's DSO citation praised his speed and daring after the heavy bombing of the château outside the town, as well as his action under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire as the battalion attacked the citadel: "This officer's leadership, dash, bravery and unlimited energy were an inspiration to his officers and men, and his action was one of the principal factors in the capture of Boulogne."
On 22 October 1944, Rowley was ordered to capture the port of Breskens on the Scheldt estuary. The infantry assault was postponed due to heavy losses among the tank support. Less than two hours later a signal, said to have been ordered by Winston Churchill, insisted there could be no delay. Rowley's infantry assaulted along the sea wall and by noon they held the harbour. Rowley's citation for his DSO Bar, signed by Montgomery, declared that despite the shortage of time: "Lt-Col Rowley planned and ordered the new attack with such brilliance and led it with such determination that the garrison was quickly overcome and Breskens was captured."
After the German surrender, Rowley was posted to the Far East to command an infantry training battalion. After the Japanese surrender, he attended the Staff College, Camberley before joining the Canadian Army staff in Washington, DC. He served in Canada's NATO army until the late 1960s.
Later military careeredit
After the war, Rowley served at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa as Director of Military Training. He commanded the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade Group in Germany, then spent a year at the Imperial Defence College in London before becoming commandant at the staff college at Kingston. He was general officer-in-waiting at the Sovereign's Parade during 1976's Royal visit to Canada.
External linksedit
Obituary[dead link] - Daily Telegraph 10 March 2007
The Battle of the Scheldt - Juno Beach Center
April 17, 2024
roger, rowley, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, march, 2015, learn, when, rem. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2015 Learn how and when to remove this template message Major General Roger Rowley DSO ED CD GCLJ GOMLJ 12 June 1914 14 February 2007 was a Canadian Army officer who was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for his role in liberating Boulogne during September 1944 and a Bar five weeks later for the capture of Breskens on the Scheldt estuary Contents 1 Early life 2 Second World War 3 Later military career 4 External linksEarly life editRowley was born in Ottawa Canada on 12 June 1914 He was educated at Ashbury College Ottawa Dalhousie University in Halifax Nova Scotia After graduation Rowley became a bond trader He joined the Canadian militia and was commissioned as an officer in the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa in 1933 Second World War editIn the early years of the war Captain and later Major Rowley served with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa when they deployed overseas with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division This included the regiment s part in the raid on Iceland in 1940 Troops were sent to the northern island country to destroy facilities that might have been of use to German forces if they were to invade the island The raid was a success nbsp Rowley rear right with other officers of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa in England in 1942The Vickers machine gun was along with 4 2 inch 110 mm mortars the primary weapon of the CH of O as it performed its duties as the Support Battalion to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Rowley commanded the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders during the Allied campaign in North West Europe during 1944 The SD amp G formed part of 3rd Canadian Infantry Division whose participation secured the liberation of the Channel ports of Boulogne and Calais The Canadians launched their attack on Boulogne on 17 September 1944 The battle raged for six days until the remaining German prisoners surrendered on 22 September Rowley s DSO citation praised his speed and daring after the heavy bombing of the chateau outside the town as well as his action under heavy artillery and machine gun fire as the battalion attacked the citadel This officer s leadership dash bravery and unlimited energy were an inspiration to his officers and men and his action was one of the principal factors in the capture of Boulogne On 22 October 1944 Rowley was ordered to capture the port of Breskens on the Scheldt estuary The infantry assault was postponed due to heavy losses among the tank support Less than two hours later a signal said to have been ordered by Winston Churchill insisted there could be no delay Rowley s infantry assaulted along the sea wall and by noon they held the harbour Rowley s citation for his DSO Bar signed by Montgomery declared that despite the shortage of time Lt Col Rowley planned and ordered the new attack with such brilliance and led it with such determination that the garrison was quickly overcome and Breskens was captured After the German surrender Rowley was posted to the Far East to command an infantry training battalion After the Japanese surrender he attended the Staff College Camberley before joining the Canadian Army staff in Washington DC He served in Canada s NATO army until the late 1960s Later military career editAfter the war Rowley served at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa as Director of Military Training He commanded the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade Group in Germany then spent a year at the Imperial Defence College in London before becoming commandant at the staff college at Kingston He was general officer in waiting at the Sovereign s Parade during 1976 s Royal visit to Canada External links editObituary dead link Daily Telegraph 10 March 2007 The Battle of the Scheldt Juno Beach Center Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Roger Rowley amp oldid 1191712088, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
