In Memory of his Courage: Lieutenant William Noel Barclay’s Legacy Lives On

Portrait of Lieutenant William Noel Barclay, WWII

Article written by Amynte Eygun, MA.

Westmount, Quebec – 29 October 2024: Lieutenant William Noel Barclay was the commander of platoon 2 on the banks of the Leopold Canal, and his life was taken in the initial hours of the battle. Born on August 14th 1919 in Québec, William was the only child of his Quebecois mother and Scottish father. In 1934, he lost his mother at only 15 years old, leaving William and his father to live alone at their address at 726 Sherbrooke Street W. Throughout his childhood to his young adulthood, William Barclay was lucky enough to receive an education from numerous great schools, being a student at Selwyn House School, Loyola High School and McGill University. He studied commerce at McGill between 1938-1940, and he hoped to work in accounting after the war. 

Note stating the death of Lieutenant Barclay, McGill University. Source: McGill University Archives

William enlisted a little later than many of his comrades, joining the RMR in October of 1941, two years after the beginning of the war in Canada. He would quickly climb the ranks to Lieutenant, and at 25 years old he was trusted to take command of a platoon in the Battle of Leopold Canal. Known to his friends and fellow RMR’s by his nickname, Jock, he bravely led his men in assault boats across the fiery canal, assuring that they arrived at the northern bank safely. As the boats reached land, a machine-gun shot fired through the front of Lt. Barclay’s boat, killing him immediately. He fell backwards, essentially acting as a human shield for the rest of the men sitting in the boat with him. He was described  by the war diarist as “a very gallant officer and gentleman” and was buried at the Adegem Canadian Military Cemetery in Belgium. Jock’s legacy lives on in the McGill honor roll list, as well as through the collection of photos he took of his comrades throughout his time overseas in training.

Armoured car crew taking a break, taken by Lt. W.N. Barclay in Seaford, East Sussex. July 1944. Source: RMR Museum collection
Soldiers playing volleyball, taken by Lt. W.N. Barclay in England. 1944. Source: RMR Museum collection
Photo of a trooper, taken by Lt. W.N.Barclay. July 24th, 1944. Source: RMR Museum collection

 

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