By Doris E Rufli
Eugene Cache Bourgeois, the oldest of three siblings, was born on Sept. 23, 1923 in Forest Grove to Eugene Joseph and Opal Katherine Bourgeois (nee Hunter).
His sister (Opal) Burla Bourgeois remembers Cache as an accomplished squirrel hunter while growing up, the hides of which he then sold to the Forest Grove store.
In 1942, he enlisted – initially joining the Seaforth Highlanders in Calgary, Alberta and then transferring to the Regina Rifle Regiment.
In late 1943 and early 1944, Cache sent letters to his friend Jack Wilcox in Forest Grove, telling him that he felt homesick thinking about everybody being busy shooting squirrels. He also planned to travel to Scotland and visit Jack’s grandmother once he was discharged – sadly, he would never make it.
On Aug. 12, 1944, Cache was killed in action at the age of 20 south of Caen (probably close to Falaise) in the latter stages of the Battle of Normandy, France.
His body is buried in the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, north of the village of Clintheaux, off the highway between Caen and Falaise. More than 2,000 Canadian soldiers are buried in that cemetery – most of them are in their early to mid-20s.
Private Eugene Cache Bourgeois is also remembered on the gravestone of his parents, with the simple inscription – Rest in Peace, at the Forest Grove cemetery.
Doug White – brother of Robert W. White who published Memories of Forest Grove, B.C., 1915–1950 in 2011 (co-author Philip S. Wilcox) – his wife, son and girlfriend ventured to France in September this year in search of Cache’s grave and they found it.
“There is nothing like seeing the cemetery and the countryside to bring a whole new meaning to these events,” says Doug.
“We spent three days visiting the beaches and tour around the area, and could have easily spent another couple of days. It was a very moving experience.”
Doug adds he was most struck by the way these cemeteries are maintained. They look absolutely meticulous and it was a privilege to visit the site.
Doris E Rufli is the Forest Grove correspondent.
