Edward Samuel “Sammy” Stokes was born in Petrolia on July 26, 1921, the son of Lieutenant-Colonol Samuel Gladstone Stokes (born in Petrolia, Ontario) and Jennie Louise (nee Pollard) Stokes, of 294 Wellington Street, Sarnia. Edward had one sister. Edward’s father Lieut-Col Samuel Stokes served with distinction during the Great War and was decorated with the Volunteer Officers’ Decoration and the Military Cross. Serving with the 18th Canadian Battalion, W.O. Regiment, Samuel Gladstone Stokes was awarded the Military Cross, For conspicuous gallantry and initiative on 10th of November 1918. He went forward as scout officer through the enemy’s line, entered the village which was occupied by the enemy, locating their positions and strength and brought back information which enabled the battalion to attack and capture the village with slight casualties. Samuel Galdstone Stokes also gave his services during World War II as an officer commanding the 11th Field Company, local reserve army Royal Canadian Engineers unit.
Edward Stokes was educated at Sarnia public schools and Sarnia Collegiate. While in high school, he played WOSSAA rugby, hockey and baseball and was also on the Sarnia Collegiate rifle team. Edward was a member of the Central Century Club and, while there, played basketball, hockey and softball for the club teams. After high school, he proceeded to prepare himself for a military career by entering the Royal Military College in Kingston, in August 1939. During his military training at Kingston, he held the rank of corporal. Edward was captain of the basketball team in his second year and also managed the Royal Military College rugby team.
In mid-May of 1941, Edward Samuel Stokes graduated from the Royal Military College in Kingston with a commission in the Royal Canadian Dragoons at the age of 19. A total of 32 cadets graduated from the College that day, the ceremony attended by the Governor-General, the Earl of Athlone, and Princess Alice. Edward Samuel joined his unit of the Royal Canadian Dragoons at Camp Borden in June of 1941 to receive some instructional work there. He went overseas in November 1941 and was an instructor at No. 1 C.A.C. reinforcement unit. Edward Stokes arrived in Italy as a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, R.C.A.C. “C” Squadron, 1st Armoured Car Regiment in October 1943. Edward served in Sicily and through the Italian campaign, attaining the rank of Lieutenant.
In June 1944, he was wounded when he was blown up by a German mine during action in Italy. His regiment, the Royal Dragoons, was participating in a crossing of the Melfa River. In a letter he had written home to his parents three days later, he said that he had escaped with slight cuts over one eye. He also described how he had visited Rome on June 14, 1944. He spoke with regret of the death of “Mickey” McBride, one of his classmates at the Royal Military College, Kingston, who had succumbed to wounds. He mentioned listening with considerable amusement to a German woman radio announcer, whom the Canadians in Italy have dubbed “Axis Sally.” She invited the first Allied soldier reaching Berlin to call on her, but said that he would never live to accept. Edward Stokes also sent a hankerchief home as a gift to his youngest sister, Nancy. Edward’s mother, Jennie Louise Stokes, was grateful not only for his frequent letters home, but for snapshots which show her son with his best pals in their winter quarters in “sunny” Italy, surrounded by snow which probably reminded them of Canada.
In July of 1944, Lieutenant Edward “Sammy” Stokes of Sarnia was mentioned in a report sent by Bill Boss, a Canadian correspondent reporting from one sector of the Italian front. His report states,
With the Canadian Corps in Italy
Operations of a squadron of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, commanded by Major Bill Veitch, Montreal, were in two phases of the Italian campaign after they were committed to the pursuit battle which followed the break-through of the Adolf Hitler line. The first phase saw them chase the Germans from Pontecorvo where they entered the battle, to the crossing of the Melfa river. Later, the squadron was asked to find a suitable ford across the river, one which might be developed as a divisional axis of advance. Lt. Peter Crerar, Ottawa, leader of the regiment’s Engineer Troop, was given the task.
While troops commanded by Lt. Sammy Stokes, Sarnia, Ontario and Lt. Dick Rigby, St. Catharines, Ont., placed themselves in position to give covering fire, Crerar and his section camouflaged themselves for the job. They crawled 1,000 yards on hands and knees through a mined area before reaching a spot from which to make a detailed reconnaissance. They were engaged with small-arms fire, but they completed the task. On the way out the group was mortared and suffered casualties.
On September 3, 1944, Edward Samuel Stokes would lose his life while fighting during the Italian Campaign near Rimini on the northern Adriatic coast of Italy. Approximately one week later, parents Samuel and Jennie Stokes in Sarnia would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing them that their son, Lieut. Edward Samuel Stokes was officially reported killed in action. The dispatch gave no other details on where or how he met his death. Edward Samuel Stokes would later be officially listed as, Overseas casualty, killed in action, in the field (Italy). He was recommended for the Military Cross at the Melfa River action and he was awarded the decoration Mention in Despatches posthumously. It stated, The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of Mentions in Despatches, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services. Twenty-three year old Edward Sammy Stokes is buried in Gradara War Cemetery, Italy, Grave I, H, 57. On Edward Stokes headstone are inscribed the words, Royal Military College. Royal Canadian Dragoons. Triumph, Duty, Valor.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, N, S, 2B, 2C, 2D