Private Brenton Leroy Ringer
Profile partially written by Glen Gaudet, Vice Chairman at http://wartimeheritage.com/
Private Brenton Leroy Ringer was born March 22nd, 1925, in Northfield Road to (Homer) Ralph and Alberta (nee Earley) Ringer. A Baptist, Brenton had an older brother Charles, who also served in the Army, and a younger sister Vivian. Brenton was working as an electrician at the Mersey Paper in Liverpool when he enlisted. He stood 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 cm), weighed 150 pounds (68 kg), and had blue eyes and light brown hair.
Brenton served one year in the West Nova Scotia Reserve Regiment before he “went active on January 17th, 1944” at 18 years old. Given service number F/57972, he was assigned the rank of Private. Private Ringer’s enlistment files note that “Ringer is an independent type of man. Appears mature, confident and fairly cooperative. Potential to become NCO or tradesman automotive”.
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Although Private Ringer “planned on transferring to the Tank Corps”, he completed his training as a Motorcyclist on May 17th, 1944. He sailed for Europe on October 14th, 1944, and after a short time in England, arrived in France on January 8th, 1945. Somehow, during his three months in England, Private Ringer had convinced the Army to transfer him to the job he had always wanted, and when the tanks rolled off the boat in France, he was a member of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders of the 10th Armored Regiment. His records do not indicate how or when this occupational transfer occurred, and for a few months, he is variously referred to as Trooper, Gunner, and Private; finally settling on Private.
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On April 12th, 1945, during the liberation of the Dutch town of Heino, Private Ringer perished along with three other members of his tank crew. Private Ringer was 20 years old. A lone survivor was saved by a local family. Private Ringer’s parents were notified of his death via telegram on April 20th.
Private Ringer bequeathed his estate to his mother, Alberta. She also received his Medals; the 1939-45 Star, the France-Germany Star, the War Medal, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (with Clasp). Alberta Ringer was awarded the Memorial Cross Medal (also known as the Silver Cross).
The town of Heino has never forgotten the four fallen men and one survivor who were part of the Canadian force that liberated their home. There is a “Canada Tree” planted on Canada Square in remembrance of the tank crew. Near the site where the tank was destroyed, a cross stood for seventy-five years, until it was replaced by a memorial stone in 2020.
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Private Ringer is interred in Plot V, Row B, Grave 1 in Holten Canadian War Cemetery in Holland. Private Ringer’s headstone is inscribed with “HE SAVED OTHERS. HIMSELF HE COULD NOT SAVE. ALWAYS REMEMBERED MOM AND DAD”. He is also remembered on his brother Charles’ headstone in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Kempt and on a stone marking the Kempt Honour Roll at the Intersection of Northfield Road and NS Route 8.
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Private Brenton Leroy Ringer is commemorated on page 558 of the World War Two Book of Remembrance. He is also listed on the Caledonia Cenotaph.
Online References
War Grave Search – https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2227908/brenton-leroy-ringer/
Local Grave Search - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14041476/brenton-leroy-ringer
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114534284/brenton-leroy-ringer
Canadian Virtual War Memorial - https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2227908?Brenton%20Leroy%20Ringer
Second World War Personnel Records Database (file download size 13.9 Meg) – https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Record?app=kia&IdNumber=30197&ecopy=44485_83024005507_0642-00151
Wartime Heritage Profile with details of the Tank Crew-http://wartimeheritage.com/whaww2ns2/wwii_ringer_brenton_leroy.htm
