Crossing Through Fire: Stanley Enair’s Courage at the Battle of Leopold Canal

Private Stanley Maxwell Enair, 1945. Photo credit: RMR Museum Collection

Article written by Amynte Eygun, MA.

Westmount, Quebec – 22 October 2024:  The work of stretcher-bearers during the battle of Leopold Canal was not only one of bravery, but also an absolute necessity. One stretcher-bearer in particular was awarded a Military Medal for his courage under fire, and was lucky enough to live through the horrors of battle. Stanley Maxwell Enair was born on June 6th, 1907 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, the fourth and last child in his family. Private Enair was one of the older soldiers who participated in the Battle of Leopold Canal, he was aged 37 in 1944, and had an established life and family waiting for him at home in Montreal. In 1933, a 26 year old Stanley married 19 year old Marie Rose Aimee Sullivan in Sherbrooke, and they would go on to have two children before the outbreak of WWII. Stanley and Marie Rose’s daughter was born in 1933 and their son in 1937. By the time Stanley enlisted in the military, he and his family lived in Montreal. 

Stretcher-bearers carry a wounded soldier, October 1943. Photo credit: Lieutenant T.F. Rowe, Library and Archives Canada—PA141662

During the battle of Leopold Canal, Stanley was a stretcher bearer. This position meant he was vital to the survival of his comrades, he exposed himself to enemy fire as crossed the canal numerous times to collect wounded soldiers. The battle of Leopold Canal was bloody, a big reason for this was that the RMR and the rest of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division essentially went into battle blind, with the hopes of catching the enemy off guard. Private Enair would have seen horrors during his time as a stretcher-bearer, seeing his friends wounded and succumbing to their injuries. Private Enair’s work was credited with saving many of his comrades and he survived the battle and the continuation of the war, being awarded a Military Medal for his service and bravery on the canal. On September 2nd 1945 he was decorated, the deed of action quoting his “gallant and distinguished services in the field.”

Private Stanley Maxwell Enair’s notice for decoration, Military Medal deed of action, 1945. Photo credit: RMR Museum Collection

Upon his return to Montreal, Private Enair reunited with his family but saw the subsequent deaths of his father in 1948, and his younger sister and mother in 1955. By the early 1960s, Stanley and Marie-Rose were living in the Plateau Mont-Royal, where he worked as a varnisher. Stanley Maxwell would live until 1989, when he passed away at 82 years old. He and Marie-Rose were married for 56 years, and she passed away only 3 years later. The Enair’s are buried together at the National Field of Honor Cemetery in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. They rest in good company, as many of Stanley’s fellow comrades from the Battle of Leopold Canal are buried in the same cemetery.

Private Stanley Maxwell Enair wearing his medal ribbons over his left breast pocket and a Good Conduct Stripe on his lower left sleeve, 1945. Photo credit: RMR Museum Collection

 

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