Beasley in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Acting Sergeant John Rennie, G.C. 1919-1943

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 24, 2023

1. Acting Sergeant John Rennie, G.C. 1919-1943 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

"Jock" Rennie was awarded the George Cross posthumously in May 1944 for an instinctive, selfless act of heroism. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, he came to Ontario with his family as a child and grew up in Kirchener. Rennie enlisted in The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's) at Hamilton in July 1940, and went overseas with them to England in the summer of 1943. On October 29, 1943, he was supervising a grenade-throwing exercise near Riddlesworth when a live grenade fell back into the trench. Rennie pushed one of his men aside and tried to throw the grenade clear. At that moment it exploded. His body shielded others from harm, but he died of his injuries.

Le sergent intérimaire « Jock » Rennie s'est vu decerner la Croix de Georges, à titre posthume, en mai 1944 pour un acte d'héroïsme spontané et désintéressé. Né à Aberdeen, en Ecosse, le jeune Rennie s'est installé avec sa famille en Ontario et a grandi a Kitchener. Il s'est enrôlé dans The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's) à Hamilton, en juillet 1940, avec lesquels il s'est

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rendu en Angleterre au cours de L’été de 1943. Le 29 octobre 1943. Rennie surveillait un exercice de lancer de grenades près de Riddlesworth, lorsqu'une grenade active retomba dans la tranchée. Rennie écarta l'un de ses hommes et tenta de lancer la grenade au loin, juste au moment où elle explosait. Son corps protégea ses hommes mais Rennie succomba à ses blessures.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1944.

Location. 43° 15.691′ N, 79° 52.009′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Beasley. It is on James Street North 0.1 kilometers north of Cannon Street East, on the right when traveling north. The marker is at the Lt. Col. John Weir Foote Armoury. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 James Street North, Hamilton ON L8R 2L1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe,

in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area,

and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 91st Regiment Canadian Highlanders Memorial (here, next to this marker); The Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote, VC CD Armoury (here, next to this marker); Lieutenant Charles Davidson Dunbar, D.C.M. (a few steps from this marker); John Weir Foote Armoury/ Le Manège Militaire John Weir Foote Armoury

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 24, 2023

2. Acting Sergeant John Rennie, G.C. 1919-1943 Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); The North Drill Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Christ’s Church Cathedral / La Cathédrale de l’Eglise du Christ (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Christ’s Church Cathedral (about 180 meters away); Historic James Street North (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Acting Sergeant John Rennie image. Click for full size.

courtesy of Veterans Canada, September 20, 2023

3. Acting Sergeant John Rennie

The Lt. Col. John Weir Foote Armoury image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 24, 2023

4. The Lt. Col. John Weir Foote Armoury

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 20, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.