I had lunch with Fred several times when I visited Thunder Bay.
A gentleman, well spoken, proud of his regiment. As the picture attached indicates, a handsome (Little Black) Devil!
Photo: Fred Bragnalo, October 24, 1944.
I reflect on our Greatest Generation and the debt we Canadians owe. They are going to fast.
Below, an item from Fred as printed in the Blast.
My name is Fred Bragnalo, ex-Sergeant of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, 7th Brigade, 3rd Div.
I'd just like to talk a little bit about the liberation of Calais. After the Falaise Gap, the 3rd Div. was cleaning up the coastal batteries that were still bombing England when the 7th Brigade was called off in order to advance and take the coastal port of Calais. During our drive, the R.W.R. was ordered to take Fort Nieulay, which was laying in the line of our advance. D and B Company were given the initial assignment, but had to withdraw after coming under devastating fire. A Company with No. 7 Platoon in the lead advanced through the ditch on the right side of the road. Under small covering fire and continued bombardment, Lt. Embury and Sgt. Mouflier ordered me (at the time, I was a Corporal and a Section Leader) to make my way to the gate and blow it open with a banglor torpedo. With riflemen King, Anderson and Haywood, we ran across the road under small cover. We reached the gate and found it partly destroyed and hanging at an angle, apparently from a direct hit from our 'typhies' [Typhoon fighter planes]. At this time our 'wasps' (flamethrowers, that is) reached in and sprayed the inner walls of the compound. Immediately, we followed the wasps into the fort, and the remainder of 7 Platoon and A Company completed the assault and captured one hundred and eighty-two prisoners. (?) and Anderson were both wounded during this assault. Haywood and I ran for the garrison headquarters, caught the German commander Colonel Schraider by surprise, and he quickly surrendered to me with his faithful dog at his side. I relieved him of his Mauser pistol, along with the armband and flag. Then the company settled in the fort bunkers, which the enemy counter-attacked with heavy artillery fire. An escaping Jew by the name of John Wolpe ran into our lines and subsequently convinced an additional twenty German troops to surrender. John Wolpe became very helpful to us as an interpreter in subsequent encounters until he was wounded and evacuated.
With the capture of Fort Nieulay, the door to Calais was now open. After a twenty-four hour truce to allow the civilians to evacuate, the full-scale assault on Calais was avoided, as Major General (?) convinced the German Commander (?) to surrender with seventy-five hundred prisoners. Our 7th Brigade casualties were approximately three hundred, of which seventy were from the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
We will Remember him.
Bragnalo, Fredrick
Published:
Friday, January 7, 2011
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, grandfather and great grandfather, Fredrick J. Bragnalo. Fred, age 88, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on Tuesday, January 4, 2011, with family by his side.
Fred was born in Fort William on February 26, 1922. He married Mary Delaqua on July 3, 1948 and together they raised 4 children until her passing in 1982. After brief employment with Canada Car, Fred began his longstanding military service with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in 1939. He proudly served his country in World War II, where he saw active duty in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was a veteran of the Normandy campaign and was wounded in action on October 24, 1944. Until his passing, this was the last time Fred was in the hospital. After a period of convalescence, he rejoined his unit in January 1945 and participated in the liberation of Holland until VE Day and the end of hostilities in Europe. With numerous commendations he was discharged with the rank of Sergeant on March 26, 1946.
Fred continued his dedicated service to his country through his selfless commitment to the betterment of his community, leaving a legacy that is still being felt today. While it is difficult to do justice to the effects of his leadership, his efforts centred around the development and growth of youth in sport and led to many firsts in Northwestern Ontario, including the establishment of Little League Baseball, the Royal Canadian Legion Track and Field, the Lakehead Sports Celebrity Dinner and the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. Furthermore, Fred served on the Board of Directors of the Children Aid’s Society, the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada, and Victoria Order of Nurses. Fred was also an active lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
His long-time community service was recognized through numerous awards, culminating in his recent induction into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, an honour that both Fred and his family were extremely proud of and were fortunate enough to celebrate together this past September.
Throughout his active volunteer service Fred continued his employment with Underwood LTD. from 1947-1966. He then moved onto District Manager with Corby Distillers, until retirement on March 1, 1987. Although his family was always an integral part of his life, after retirement Fred was able to spend quality time taking care of and enjoying those he loved.
Fred is survived and proudly remembered by son David (Margaret) and their children Christian, Suzanne (Frank Laceria) and Kelly; son Rick (Helen) and their children Richelle (Steve Gorst), Tyler (Mel) and Kris (Heather); daughter-in-law Terri and children Trevor and Kevin; daughter Donna (Marty Melchior) and son Finnegan. Fred is also survived by great grandchildren Gabriella and Sofi Laceria, Alexa and Aydan Gorst, Maya and Avi Bragnalo, and Kali and Keegan Bragnalo. Surviving siblings include brother Ronald (Mary Ann), sisters Flo, Jean (Allan Frost), Sally and Rita (Ken LaPointe), as well as sister-in-laws Dina, Angela and Julie. In addition Fred is remembered and will be sadly missed by long time companion Elaine Tonkin.
Fred was predeceased by his wife Mary (1982), son Ken (1988), infant great grandson Steven Daniel Gorst (2000) and brothers Leslie, Frank, Romildo, Angelo and Arnold.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 10, 2011 with Mass celebrated at St. Dominic’s Church at 10 a.m. Interment will take place in St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Prayers will be offered on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 3 p.m. also at St. Dominic’s Church. In conjunction with the prayers a Royal Canadian Legion service of honour will be held.
The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the staff in the ICU at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, in particular doctors Ahmed, Davenport, Migay and nurses Kathleen, Pam and Charles. Your care and compassion for our dad was indeed beyond compare.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
FJB – “We are all very proud to share your name”
A tree will be planted in memory of Frederick Bragnalo in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 10, 2012.
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