Pringle, Harold Joseph

  • From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: See full biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Pringle
  • Wiki Biography:
    • Harold Joseph Pringle (14 January 1920 – 5 July 1945) was the only soldier of the Canadian Army to be executed during the Second World War.
    • Pringle was born in the small hamlet of Flinton, Ontario, near Napanee. He and his father tried to enlist in The Hastings and Prince Edward Regimentof the Canadian Army. On medical examination, he was accepted, but his father was turned away due to poor eyesight. Harold Pringle was formally enrolled in the army in February, 1940, aged 20.
    • Pringle was a disciplinary problem for his unit, going AWOL many times, and he was sent to a reformatory camp for a year. He escaped after serving six months there and was sent to Italy where he was posted to the 1st Battalion, The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, as a private with the service number C/5292. Pringle’s combat record after the escape was unblemished until after the battle for the Hitler Line in central Italy, when he deserted to Rome to join the Sailor Gang.
    • The various gang members were tried; Pringle was sentenced to death for murder. An appeal against the decision was rejected. On 5 July 1945, Pringle was executed by a Canadian Army firing squad. He was buried in grave number 11, row B, plot VII at Caserta CWGC Cemetery in Italy.
  • Fourth Great Grandson of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=6783
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21524537/harold-joseph-pringle?