I Remember Jimmie
Read time: 4 minutes
Jimmie and I were 17 when World War 2 broke out. Our farms were side by side in the rolling meadows of Cape Breton. We were both born in June and were like 2 peas in a pod; inseparable. The Ag Rep said we didn’t need to “sign up” as we were required on the “Home Front”. But Jimmie and I enlisted anyway. We took the train to Sydney, where they gave us a ticket to Halifax. We passed the medical, were sworn in and sent to Newmarket, Ontario for training. Eventually, I ended up in the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and Jimmie joined the Cape Breton Highlanders.
War dragged on. The Highlanders were deployed to Italy in September of 1943 and I was sent to RAF Ringway in England for endless training.
On June 6, 1944, the training ended. Our mission; D-Day. Between 0020 and 0024, we were “dropped” into the fields and forests of Normandy. I landed in the lower branches of a tree and was able to cut myself free without too much trouble. I could just see Rory off in the distance and headed toward him. Silence was of the essence.
My compass had smashed in the landing but Rory guided us through some underbrush and eventually into a grove of trees. We needed desperately to find the rest of our battalion and to avoid the Nazis at all costs. Tentatively walking along, we encountered; of all people, Jimmie!! We were so surprised! “I thought you were in Italy!” I exclaimed. “Not tonight”, he responded, in a whisper. “You are going the wrong way.” “What?” murmured Rory. “You are going the wrong way. The Nazis have a “nest” in this direction. Follow me!”
Obediently and stealthily, we followed. It was dark but we trusted Jimmie. He knew the way. Dawn was beginning to peer over the horizon when we stumbled upon 5 more members of our battalion.
Quietly we reunited. “How did you find us?” they questioned. “Jimmie led us in the right direction. We wouldn’t be here without him.” “Jimmie, Jimmie who?” “Jimmie Gillis from the Cape Breton Highlanders. They must have been deployed to France for D-Day”
But Jimmie was nowhere to be found. He had vanished. 
At the back of the group was Mickey Ben. “I know Jimmie. He’s with my brother Johnny in Italy. But he died last week in the battle for the Melfa River in Italy!
Stunned silence.
I have taken a bit of poetic licence in crafting this story. Know this… If you are ever driving on Route 223 through Cape Breton, when you pass through Jamesville, look-out for Jimmie Gillis Road, named for Jimmie. Jimmie Gillis, my Dad’s guardian angel. If you take the road, you will drive past some stunning scenery and arrive at a picturesque beach. Dip your toes in the water and marvel at the wonder of God’s power and creation.
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of Heavenly Hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”