- Born 17-02-1914 in French Narrows Portage, Ontario.
- Deceased 08-04-1945 in Ootmarsum – 31 years.
- Parents Elmer Ernest and Nancy Jane Boucha nee Beacham from French Narrows Portage, Kenora, Ontario, Canada.
- Married in 1942 with Dolina Helen Boucha nee Reith.
Canadian Corporal in the Lake Superior Regiment (motor) RCIC – Service nr. H/42356
Henry was the eldest of a fishing family of eight children from the remote French Narrows Portage. His father was a fisherman too, an exceptional lighthouse keeper and had a small tourist camp near the lake. The boys were working as fishermen and fishing guides and in winter they chopped wood.
He and his brother Alex were called for service in July 1942. Henry attended basic training at Fort Arthur. He married in August 1942 with a girl from his village Dolina Helen Reith. Shortly afterwards he had to leave and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. In March 1943 he went overseas, where he was assigned to the Lake Superior Regiment. He was sent to France in July 1944 and served nine months in Europe. In August 1944 he was promoted to Lance Corporal and in February 1945 to Corporal.
Henry was on April 8, 1945 seriously injured in his neck during fighting around the German Haren. He was transferred to the Canadian Military Hospital in Ootmarsum, but had died before arrival.
He was buried initially in the eastern verge of the Oostwal.
Buried: Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, box X, row G no. 6.
Memorial for the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) in Hillcrest Park, Thunder Bay, Canada.
Memorized on the War Memorial from Kenora.
Awarded with the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, the Defence Medal, the War Medal, the 1939-1945 Star and the France-Germany Star.
Text on grave: ‘Brave and chivalrous. To the end.’
