John Alexander Cathie

Cathie, John (Jack) Alexander

Jack Cathie was born 5 March 1917 in Vancouver, BC. As a young man of nineteen he enlisted in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 20 April 1936 at Work Point Barracks, Esquimalt (Victoria), BC. In 1938 he trained as a Physical Training Instructor and Lifeguard Instructor at Royal Military College, Kingston. With the outbreak of the Second World War, Jack immediately signed up for overseas service on 1 September 1939. He was dispatched as part of the PPCLI Advance Party to England in November 1939.

Jack attended the Royal Army School of Physical Training at Aldershot, England from December 1939 to January 1940 before rejoining the Regiment in the Home Counties under canvas. The "Phony War" was playing out on the Continent and the Patricias were being used for the Home Defence of the British Isles when Jack was posted to the Brigade of Guards Depot to attend a Drill Instructor Course. Shortly thereafter he was posted to the Canadian Officer Training Unit as a Staff Instructor Sergeant, in November 1940.

Jack transferred to the 1st Armoured Brigade Headquarters as supernumerary Regimental Sergeant Major in October 1941. In September 1942 he entered Royal Military College Sandhurst as an Officer Cadet, and graduated as the Cadet Commander of passing-out troops. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in April 1943 and rejoined the 1st Armoured Brigade with HQ Sqn – 14th (Calgary) Tank Regiment. When the Allies invaded Italy, Jack was in the second wave, landing at Sicily on D-Day 10 July 1943. He was also in the second wave of landings on the Italian mainland – D-Day 24 August 1943. He served as an acting Captain for some time during the Italian Campaign as the allies fought north up to the Hitler Line west of Monte Cassino in 1944. He was severely wounded and returned disabled to Canada where he was medically struck off strength and granted a disability pension.

Returning to civilian life Jack served with the Canadian Customs Service for 5 years. He later became a manager for Standard Oil in Alaska. Deciding to pursue a further education, he went to university and began studies for degrees in History, English and Psychology at the University of Alabama and the University of British Columbia. He counselled and taught in Alabama and British Columbia until retiring after 20 years. He lived in the United States for many years but returned to Canada in 1985.

Jack Cathie attended the 1994 PPCLI Reunion during the 80th Anniversary in Calgary, and visited the Museum of the Regiments, home of the PPCLI Museum. Much to his amazement, he was confronted by a blown-up picture of himself in the Inter-War Years gallery. He had not only rediscovered his roots but found "his family" again after so many years of being away. Since that time, he has been heavily involved with the Regiment – particularly the two battalions in Edmonton and the Patricias in Wainwright. He brought to the Regiment a wealth of knowledge and many anecdotes of his pre-war and World War II experiences. On his visits he shared these experiences and displayed an admirable concern for the welfare of the young officers and soldiers of the Regiment.

Jack Cathie passed away on 19 July 2015 at the age of 98. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 28 years and his children Marie, John, Paul, and Julie – as well as Mary’s children. Jack will be sorely missed and dearly remembered by his family, friends and the entire Regimental Family. A funeral service will take place on 13 August 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Chapel at Mountain View Cemetery, 5455 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC. Following the service, Jack Cathie will be laid to rest in the Cathie family plot. A reception will be held at the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada Club located at 727 East 49th Ave, Vancouver, BC (Intersection of 49 Ave and Fraser St in the old Legion). For further information, please contact First Memorial Funeral Home at 604-857-0111.