Campbell River Genealogy Society
~ LOST FAMILIES FOUND ~
ROBERT ERNEST PERKINS
Service Personnel Information 1939–1945
| Address on Enrollment: | Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada |
| Birthplace: | Campbell River, British Columbia |
| Date of Birth: | 31 Dec 1924 |
| Next of Kin: | John Perkins (father) and Emily Effie Perkins (mother) |
| Racial Origin: | English |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Trade or Calling: | Farmer |
| Previous Service in a Military Force: | No |
| Date of Enlistment: | 2 May 1944 |
| City and Province of Enlistment: | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
Military Service Record 1914–1918
| Force: | Army |
| Unit: | Calgary Highlanders, R.C.I.C. |
| Rank: | Private |
| Service Number: | K/2349 |
| Posted Overseas: | 11 August 1944 |
| Honours and Awards: | 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp (Canadian Volunteer Service Medal |
| Mount Perkins in Clendenning Range of the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains is named for him. | |
| Date of Death: | 1 November 1944 |
| Age (at death): | 19 |
| Country of Burial: | Holland |
| Cemetery: | Bergen-op-Zoom Military Cemetery |
| Grave Reference: | 12. A. 6. |
| Location: | 4 miles N.E. of Bergen-op-Zoom, Noord-Brabant Province, Netherlands |
| Book of Remembrance: | Robert Ernest Perkins’ name can be found on page 415 of the 1944 Second World War Book of Remembrance |
His Story
Robert Ernest Perkins was born on December 31, 1924 at Campbell River, BC. He was the son of Mr. John Perkins, Soldier, Kelsey Bay, Vancouver Island and Emily Effie Perkins of Campbell River BC. He had three brothers and one sister – Thomas James Perkins; Walter John Perkins; William George Perkins; and Sister Mrs. Dorothy Emily Goodwin, all of Campbell River.
Robert enlisted in the Infantry on February 1, 1944 at Vancouver, BC as a general reinforcement shortly after his 19th birthday, Regimental No. K-2349. His civilian occupation was farmer, self-employed. Following military training at the 16 Canadian Infantry Training Centre, Calgary he disembarked in England on August 5, 1944; proceeded to Northwest Europe on August 30th ; and was posted to the Calgary Highlanders on August 31st.
On October 31st , in fierce fighting during the Battle of the Scheldt, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division made the final push to secure Walcheren Island, which remained as the one great obstacle to the use of the port of Antwerp, Belgium. While serving as one of the fresh reinforcements, Private Perkins was felled by a sniper’s bullet on November 1st after having been in action a little over a month.
Robert was initially buried at Lewedorp Cemetery, S. Beveland, Holland M.R. 234291 Row 3 Grave 1. His remains were reburied at Bergen-op-Zoom Military Cemetery 4 miles N.E. of Bergen-op-Zoom, Noord-Brabant Province, Netherlands, Grave 6, Row A, Plot 12. Honours and Awards: 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp (Canadian Volunteer Service Medal)