Sergeant Francis D Cosgrove

Francis Dernier Cosgrove was the son of Francis John and Margaret Cosgrove, of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. He enlisted in the 2nd/4th Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery on 27 January 1941, and volunteered for airborne forces.

He was 5' 6", 140 Ibs, medium complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair, 20/20 vision. 

Sergeant Cosgrove successfully completed his parachute training at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA, on 24 December 1942 and was posted to 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. He arrived in the UK on 28 July 1943 and took part in Operation Overlord (Normandy).

Sgt Cosgrove was killed in action on 6 June 1944, aged 21, and was given a field burial at Dives-Sur-Mer, France. He was re-interred to Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France on 6 September 1945.

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