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Lance Corporal Roger Joseph "Sonny" Firman had joined the army with his Transcona friends, Paul Martin, Alfred Aubertin, and Wilfred Paquette. He was among the thousands who crossed the English Channel and landed on the coast of France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, as part of the Normandy Invasion Campaign. Roger Firman was among those who never returned to Transcona.Comrade Paul Martin recalled the last words that he had with his Transcona chum: "In the days after the landing I would always see my buddy Roger Firman and we would say a few words?He told me, "I'm gonna go in this grain field?They're never gonna take me prisoner." and (then) he took off in a grain field?
"...we were on the verge of rescuing them?" recalled Paul Martin, when on 8 June 1944, the Germans lined up the prisoners against the wall at Le Chateau d'Audrieu, a French chateau and executed them. Roger Firman was one of 69 POWs who were murdered by the 26th SS Panzer.
It was over a year before Roger Firman was officially reported killed in action in France. The article was published on July 5, 1945 in the Transcona News:
"Believed To Be Victim Of Nazi Atrocities"
Word had been received by Mr. and Mrs. F. Firman, 101 Bond Street, from officials in Ottawa, that their elder son, Cpl. R.J. Firman, who was previously reported missing on June 8, 1944, is now officially reported killed in action in France.
Roger enlisted at the age of 18 years in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in June 1940, going overseas in August 1941.
He was born in Transcona and received his education in Assumption school and Central school. He received his military training in Winnipeg, Camp Shilo, and Debert, N.S. and went over the top on D-Day in Normandy with "C" Company of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
He is survived by his wife (formerly Victoria Jean Cooke, of the Isle of Wight); his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. Firman; four sisters, Mrs. J. E. St. Hillaire (Irene), St. Boniface, Mrs. G.E. Bramwell (Alice), Transcona; Theresa and Margerite at home and one brother, Henry, of Winnipeg, recently discharged from the R.C.N.V.R.
Further word was received on Tuesday of this week from officials at Ottawa stating that Cpl. Roger J. Firman, who was at an advanced position at the time was the third Corporal with his men to be shot by the S.S. troops. The fourth corporal escaping with only three men. Capt. Gower praised Roger for his fine leadership. He was to have returned to England in two weeks to receive his commission."
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Roger Firman was killed in action14 June 1945
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada
Credits:Transcona News
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Paul Martin tells how Roger Firman was murdered by the Nazi's5 July 1945
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada
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"And I often think of my buddies, in particular one that I have in mind, Roger Firman. We joined together. He was taken prisoner and 69 were taken prisoner on the same day and Roger with the group, before the enemy retreated, they lined them up by the wall and shot them. They killed the whole 69 from my regiment. Roger, a local boy, Central School, Assumption Church, he died but he was murdered for the cause. Surely, the least we could do is remember him and remember others in Transcona that gave their life."5
Roger Firman's grave6 June 2004
France
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Beny Sur Mer Canadian War Cememtery6 June 2004
France
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Roger Firman is buried in Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Calvados, France (Grave Reference XIII. D. 13.). |
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