Sir Herbert Arthur Strutt Passing at Age 101
On Wednesday, January 26, 2022 it was with great sadness the family of Sir Herbert Arthur Strutt announced his passing at the age of 101 years.
The Kindersley Legion Branch 57 expressed their condolences to the family and friends of Sir Herbert Strutt. “He was a wonderful man and it was a pleasure to have known him,” said Jeannie Bylo, Kindersley Legion President.
Strutt was born on his parents’ farm east of Brock, SK on August 7, 1920. Before his 8th birthday, the family moved just north and east of Brock, SK where Strutt was raised during the troubled times known as the “dirty 30s.”
Once he reached military age, Strutt signed up for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1941. World War II had already embroiled nearly 30 countries of the world for 2 years, and the Battle of Britain had just ended.
When his training was complete, Strutt was sent overseas on the Queen Elizabeth, crowded together with some 16,000 troops. The five-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean was no picnic as the large amount of troops meant sleeping in bunks stacked four high, crowded mess rooms, long lines waiting for food, and kitchen crews grumbling from the continual workload to keep the masses fed. Strutt luckily missed the seasickness that seemed to attack several others during the voyage.
Upon reaching England, Strutt was soon busy as an engine mechanic for the British-built Spitfire aircraft. In this position, Strutt participated in several battles, including acting as cover at Juno Beach on D-Day, the famous Allied Offensive on June 6, 1944.
As a crew member in the Second Tactical Air Force (TAF), Strutt saw action in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and ultimately Germany. Strutt served until Germany surrendered, arriving back home on September 15, 1945, during a frigid snowstorm.
Strutt married Helen Miller in 1951 and purchased a farm straight across from his father’s to raise his family.
In 2014, the French Government celebrated the 70th anniversary of D-Day and invited Canadian veterans to attend. Strutt, accompanied by his son Roger, Roger’s wife Cathy, and two grandsons, returned to France for the first time since serving in one of the bloodiest wars in history. The family’s trip included touring three military cemeteries and participating in the ceremony conducted on Juno Beach. Strutt was also added to the French Legion of Honour and by right earned the title of Sir Herbert Strutt.
On August 7th, 2020 a large parade was held in Kindersley to mark Sir Strutt’s 100th birthday. Mayor Rod Perkins, MLA Ken Francis, and members of the RCMP, Fire Department and Royal Canadian Legion were in attendance, along with family and friends.
Thank you for your service Sir Herbert Strutt, it was greatly appreciated and you will be missed by many.
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