Regrettably Dan N. Cojocar’s greatest legacy was his military service and death during WWII. He was a single man who volunteered for the army during World War II at the age of just nineteen and was killed in action when he was barely twenty.
Daniel’s life
Born
Daniel “Dan” Cojocar was born in the Kayville, Saskatchewan area April 7, 1924 to Nick and Garafira Cojocari. Dan was the fourteenth child born to Nick and Garafira and was their second child to be named “Dan” (with the first Dan dying at the age of four twelve years earlier).
What’s in a name
Daniel is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. It means “God is my judge” and derives from early biblical figures, primary among them Daniel from the Book of Daniel. While there are many Romanians in the Kayville area who answered to the name of Dan or Daniel their actual birth name was often Dimitri (we have approximately thirty examples of this). They likely changed their name to blend into the more English culture of Canada. We believe that Daniel Cojocar was actually named “Daniel” at birth, “Daniel” being a common Romanian name in itself.
We know that Dan’s parents were members of the Romanian Orthodox Church and chose his name by either naming him in someone’s memory or following the tradition of selecting given names from the Bible. Dan was the second child that Nick and Garafira had that was named “Dan” and his parents may have been honouring their little one by naming another brother after him or perhaps there is some family tradition surrounding the name that we are unaware of.
The surname ‘Cojocari’ is derived from Slavic kožuh(ar), from the root of kožuh, meaning ‘fur’. It is a Romanian/Moldovan surname generally meaning someone with the occupation of furrier (animal skins and pelts) and more specifically someone who makes heavy winter coats or vests which are called ‘cojoc’.
Cojoc are typically made of fur or sheepskin.
Childhood
Dan was the fourteenth baby born in the family. By the time of Dan’s birth three of his siblings had died. What a household to be born into with ten surviving older siblings. Dan had four older brothers and six older sisters! When Dan was born his oldest brother George was almost 14 years old.
Following Dan’s birth he would help welcome three younger brothers and a younger sister in the ensuing years.
Dan worked on the farm with his father and brothers having finished school in the seventh grade.
In the Army
He volunteered in Regina, Saskatchewan on June 4, 1943. When he enlisted in the army they recorded him as standing 5’10.5″ tall, weighing 139.5lbs with hazel eyes and brown hair. He was a slim man and by Cojocar standards had not yet grown into his full stature.
The date he enlisted is interesting to us because the Second World War began about four years earlier in 1939. Four years of seeing the lists of dead Canadians in the newspapers. A good three and a half years of the news on the radio describing Germany and Japan meeting success after success in battle. It was only in 1943 that things began to turn a little in favour of the allies but by no means had the tide turned. We don’t see Dan as a starry-eyed young man seeking glory and adventure on the first mention of war, rather We think of him as someone joining out of a sense of duty. A number of his cousins and others from the area were enlisted as well so there was a sense of community for sure. On that Friday in 1943 Dan became Private Cojocar L-106135 of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (2.C.I.R.U.).
Registration
His first days were filled with testing, paperwork and medical examinations. He was then released on leave with full pay of $1.40 per day from June 10-16, 1943. We assume that he used these days to return to Kayville to say goodbye.
Training begins
His training then began and saw him travel to army bases in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and Shilo, Manitoba. His training took five months to complete. It must have been an exciting time.
Training is complete
In November 1943 he is granted twenty-one days of leave from the army base in Shilo, Manitoba. We assume that he travelled back home to Kayville by passenger train perhaps arriving at Kayville’s small train station into the arms of anxious family.
Off to war
His niece Geana Cojocar (daughter of Dan’s oldest brother George), who was nine at the time, remembered that on the day he left to return to his army base he was dressed in his uniform and he gave her a quarter and said goodbye. He would not return home again.
By the end of November Private Cojocar had travelled with his regiment to Halifax, Nova Scotia and a week later they arrived in the U.K.. Shortly after his arrival in England he received a $0.10 raise in pay, now earning $1.50 per day! We are certain the military life, travelling the world and anticipating war amazed the young man from Kayville, Saskatchewan.
It is possible that the S.S.R. spend some time at Broome Park which served as the Canadian Headquarters in England before being relocated to Tilbury Camp near Tilbury.
At the end of January 1944 he was transferred from the 2nd Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (2.C.I.R.U.) to the South Saskatchewan Regiment (S.S.R.). The military records say little about what happened for the next six months. Some books and history records say that the S.S.R. just lived a military life and were waiting for D-Day.
Inspection by King George VI
On March 9, 1944 the Canadian 2nd (Dan’s Division) and 3rd Division’s almost forty thousand men were inspected by King George VI. It is unlikely that Dan met the King given that he was one man among thousands but he may have seen the King and his wife Elizabeth and would have presented himself well.1
D-Day
Dan’s battalion was never intended to be part of the D-Day invasion given that their Division was termed a “Reinforcement Unit”. With the intense secrecy surrounding D-Day it is unlikely that Dan knew anything about the plans.
In the hours leading up to D-Day Dan may have seen, or heard rumours, that all twenty thousand members of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division mobilised and departed in secrecy for their D-Day landing on Juno Beach. The D-Day invasion commenced on June 6, 1944.
Into battle following D-Day
Following D-Day, the orders for the S.S.R. arrived after a month on July 3, 1944. The soldiers left Broome Park travelling via Chatham and London to their marshalling area at Tilbury Camp near Tilbury. The marching personnel, under Major Matthews, got on the train at Sheperds Wells Station on the same day and detrained at Chailey Station, north of Lewes. After issue of hard rations and embarkation cards, all personnel were loaded on landing craft destined for Juno Beach on the coast of France.
6th Infantry Brigade
On July 6 the S.S.R. were consolidated in Normandy, France, with Colonel Clift in command and began operation as the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (C.I.R.U.). Their orders were to participate in the liberation in and around Caen, France in what would be know as the Battle of Verrières Ridge.
The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division at the time they arrived in France consisted of three brigades—4th, 5th and 6th, each of three infantry battalions, and a brigade ground defence platoon provided by Lorne Scots. In addition, at divisional level there was a machine gun battalion and a reconnaissance regiment provided by the Toronto Scottish Regiment (machine gun) and 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars), as well as various combat support and service support elements including field, anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery, field engineers, electrical and mechanical engineers, and signals, medical, ordnance, service corps troops and provosts.2
Battle of Verrières Ridge
The Battle of Verrières Ridge was divided into Operations Atlantic, Spring and Totalize.
The immediate Allied objective was Verrières Ridge, a belt of high ground which dominates the route from Caen to Falaise. Verrières Ridge lies 8 km (5.0 mi) south of the city of Caen, overlooking broad plains and dominating the land between Caen and Falaise.3 The ridge was occupied by strongly defended by the battle-hardened I SS Panzer Corps, who had fallen back from Caen and entrenched to form a strong defensive position. Over the course of six days, substantial Canadian and British forces made repeated attempts to capture the ridge. Strict German adherence to defensive doctrine, as well as strong and effective counterattacks by Panzer formations, resulted in many Allied casualties for little tactical gain.4
July 18 – Operation Atlantic
Dan’s brigade was in the offensive named Operation Atlantic which was an launched in conjunction with Operation Goodwood by the Second Army, was part of operations to seize the French city of Caen and vicinity from German forces. Attacks began on July 18 and were initially successful, with gains made on the flanks of the Orne River near Saint-André-sur-Orne but an attack by the 4th and 6th Canadian Infantry Brigades of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, against strongly defended German positions on Verrières Ridge to the south was a costly failure.5
July 25 – Operation Spring
Following Operation Atlantic, Dan’s brigade was in the offensive named Operation Spring which ran from July 25 through to the 27th. The plan was intended to create pressure on the German forces operating on the British and Canadian front simultaneous with Operation Cobra, an American offensive. Operation Spring was intended to capture Verrières Ridge and the villages on the south slope of the ridge. The German defence of the ridge contained the offensive on the first day and inflicted many casualties on the Canadians.6
We are glad that Private Cojocar got to contribute to the battles and use his training. It must have been especially gratifying for him to see the people of Caen celebrate their liberation on July 20.
August 8 – Operation Totalize
Dan’s 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade fought in aid of an offensive named Operation Totalize launched by Allied troops in the First Canadian Army during the later stages of Operation Overlord, from 8 to 9 August 1944. The intention was to break through the German defences south of Caen on the eastern flank of the Allied positions in Normandy and exploit success by driving south, to capture the high ground north of the city of Falaise. The goal was to collapse the German front and cut off the retreat of German forces fighting the Allied armies further west.7
During the evening of 7 August 1944, the attacking forces formed up in six columns, four vehicles wide, comprising tanks, Kangaroo APCs, half tracks, self-propelled anti-tank guns and Mine flail tanks. At 23:00, Bomber Command commenced the bombardment of German positions along the Caen front. At 23:30, the armoured columns began their advance behind a rolling barrage. Movement was slow at first, many APC drivers became disoriented by the dust caused by the vehicles.Several vehicles became stuck in bomb craters.89
In the early hours of 8 August 1944, II Canadian Corps launched the attack using mechanized infantry. They broke through the German front lines and captured vital positions deep in the German defences. It was intended that two fresh armoured divisions would continue the attack but some hesitancy by these two comparatively inexperienced divisions and German armoured counter-attacks halted this offensive.10
The attack broke through the German defences in several places. By dawn, the attacking columns from the 51st (Highland) Division had reached their intended positions. The infantry dismounted from their Kangaroo APCs within 200 yd (180 m) of their objectives at the villages of Cramensnil and Saint-Aignan de Cramesnil, rapidly over-running the defenders. The columns from the 2nd Canadian Division in which Dan was fighting were delayed by fog and unexpected opposition on their right flank but by noon on 8 August, the Allied forces had captured Verrières Ridge.11
Dan was killed at some point during the mayhem of the fighting on this day.
Killed in Action
Private Cojocar was killed in action on August 8, 1944 seven thousand kilometres from his home. Dan Cojocar served a total of 432 days from enlistment until his death.
Grave Site
He is buried outside of Caen, France at Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in grave XIII H 14.
Following his death
Posthumous Medals
| Medal awarded | Eligibility and criteria | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1939-1945 Star | The 1939-1945 Star is a Second World War medal that was issued between September 2, 1939 and May 8, 1945 (Europe) or September 2, 1945 (Pacific). The medal was awarded for six months service on active operations for Army and Navy, and two months for active air-crew. Learn more |  |
| France and Germany Star | The star was awarded for one day or more of service in France, Belgium, Holland or Germany between 06 June 1944 (D-Day) and 08 May 1945. Learn more |  |
| Defence Medal | Service in the forces in non-operational areas subjected to air attack or closely threatened, providing such service lasted for three or more years. Service overseas or outside the country of residence, providing that such service lasted for one year, except in territories threatened by the enemy or subject to bomb attacks, in which case it was six months prior to 02 September 1945. Learn more |  |
| War Medal 1939-1945 | The medal was awarded to all full-time personnel of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines for serving for 28 days between 03 September 1939 and 02 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea. Learn more |  |
| Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) with sliver bar (clasp) | The CVSM is granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who voluntarily served on Active Service and honourably completed eighteen months total voluntary service from 3 September 1939 to 1 March 1947. Learn more |  |
Compensation for parents
His Father received the $25.20 that Dan had contributed to Sixth Victory Loan Bonds, $183.53 in salary owed and an additional $20 for War Service Grant.
His Mother received a “Memorial Cross” which was given to the mothers of soldiers who were killed.
| Medal awarded | Eligibility and criteria | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial Cross | The Memorial Cross is granted to the mother (if living) and/or the widow (if legally married or common law) of a CF member that dies from causes directly attributable to service in a SDA. Learn more |  |
Commemoration
In Ottawa at the House of Commons within the Memorial Chamber of the Parliament of Canada there is a book called the “Book of Remembrance of the Second World War”. Written in the book are the names of each soldier killed during WWII who served Canada. Each day a single page in the book is turned to reveal the names page by page. Dan Cojocar’s name appears on Page 276 and is displayed to the public every year on June 14.
Cojocar Bay
In honour of Dan’s sacrifice a bay on a lake in northern Saskatchewan bears his name. Read more in Landmark: Cojocar Bay.
Regina War Memorial
In Regina there is a War Memorial on the grounds of the Provincial Legislative Building that displays the names of all Saskatchewan war dead. You can find Dan Cojocar commemorated there.
Ogema Cenotaph
In Ogema, Saskatchewan there is a cenotaph honouring the war dead of the Omega Region. You will find Private Cojocar listed there.
Kayville Church Memorial
In his home town of Kayville, Saskatchewan there is a memorial to him in the Saint Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Cemetery.
Citations
- Wikipedia contributors (2024), 2nd Canadian Division during World War II, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Canadian_Division_during_World_War_II ↩︎
- Harold A. Skaarup, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division 1940-1945, Military History Books, https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/2nd-canadian-infantry-division-1940-1945 ↩︎
- Wikipedia contributors (2024), Battle of Verrières Ridge, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Verrières_Ridge ↩︎
- Wikipedia contributors (2024), Battle of Verrières Ridge, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Verrières_Ridge ↩︎
- Wikipedia contributors (2024), Operation Atlantic, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Atlantic ↩︎
- Wikipedia contributors (2024), Operation Spring, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spring ↩︎
- Wikipedia contributors (2024), Operation Totalize, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize ↩︎
- Wikipedia contributors (2024), Operation Totalize, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize ↩︎
- Wikipedia contributors (2020), 2nd Canadian Division during World War II, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Canadian_Division_during_World_War_II ↩︎
- Wikipedia contributors (2024), Operation Totalize, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize ↩︎
- Wikipedia contributors (2024), Operation Totalize, Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize ↩︎
