Durocher, Lucien Joseph

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Lucien Joseph Durocher
26 June 1920 – 2 October 1985
Place of birth Casselman, Ontario
Place of death Ottawa, Ontario
Place of burial Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa
Allegiance Canada
Service/branch Canadian Army
Rank Lieutenant
Awards MiD
Lieutenant Lucien Joseph Durocher (26 June 1920 – 2 October 1985) was a Canadian soldier who served in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. During the Second World War, he served as a member of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in France behind enemy lines.[1]

Early Life

Lucien was born on 26 June 1920 in Casselman Ontario to parents Arthur and Josephine. He received his schooling in Embrun, L’Orignal and Ottawa (LaSalle Academy and Ottawa Technical).[2] He worked as a wireless operator before his military service.[3]

Service

Lucien joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals at the outbreak of the Second World War and proceeded overseas with 1st Divisional Signals.

As a member of "K" Section, he participated in the Spitzbergen Raid in August/September 1941.

He proceeded to Italy with the division for the invasion of Sicily and the subsequent fighting in Italy.

After serving in Sicily and Italy, he was recruited by the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E.). He received training in Algeria prior to being dropped into southern France on 24 June 1944 as a Sergeant (was not commissioned as others were). He maintained "perfect radio contact with Algiers" and was "required to make long trips in civilian clothes carrying his radio set with him".[1] Of his time in France, "By the skin of his teeth he escaped having his hair dyed as a security measure and got off with only having it cut. After blocking a highway to Switzerland, the band of Maquis he helped to organize was overpowered and scattered by the Germans. He escaped on a bicycle to a town 45 miles away and started gathering another fighting group. "Somehow somebody got a picture of me and they were after me. There was a French 'commandant' who wanted me to have my hair dyed. You see, I'm a blond and in that country I was sort of conspicuous. "He finally succeeded in getting me to have it cut in a brush cut, only an inch long, like a German's. After that everybody was shooting at me." But he didn't get hit "I must be lucky", said Lt Durocher."[3]

For his service in the Second World War, he was Mentioned in Despatches.[4]

Personal Life

Lucien died 2 October 1985 in Ottawa Ontario and is buried at Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa (Section 27, Range D, Grave 139).

Related Pages


Related Items

See Also

Campx.ca - Lucien Durocher

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 MacLaren, Roy. Canadians Behind Enemy Lines 1939-1945. Vancouver and London: University of British Columbia Press. 1983. ISBN 0774811005.
  2. ↑ The Beechwood Magazine, Summer 2019, Volume 9. Pages 7-8.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Ottawa Journal. February 16, 1945. Page 9.
  4. ↑ The London Gazette, Supplement 37274. 20 September, 1945. Page 4686.