Garnet Core was born on March 28, 1923, the son of James Bright Core and Myrtle West Core of Blackwell. Prior to enlistment, he was an employee of Mueller Limited, recording his occupation as a valve tester. Garnet enlisted in the Canadian Army in May 1943 and trained in London, Camp Ipperwash and Nova Scotia. In June 1943, Garnet would spend a few days at home on leave with his friends and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry West, Sr. of Blackwell.

Garnet married Miss Betty Vera Randall, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arleigh Randall of Mooretown, on October 1, 1943 at the United Church parsonage in Corunna. At the wedding ceremony, Miss Freida Lapham of Sarnia served as bridesmaid, and Private Allan Nagorsen of Windsor, served as the best man. After the ceremony, the bridal party dined at the Cosy Café, and then the newlywed couple left for a wedding trip to Niagara Falls, New York. On their return, Mrs. Betty Vera Core resided at R.R. #3 Sarnia, while Garnet returned to Camp Ipperwash after his 17-day furlough..

Garnet went overseas in January 1944, a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment. He would spend his 21st birthday at sea, on his way to fight in Italy. In a letter received in May 1944 by his aunt, Mrs. Victor Wellington, of 123 South Brock Street, Garnet Core described his life in Italy. The following are portions of that letter written from “Somewhere in Italy”:

 I really covered a lot of miles since I left Canada… We had a swell trip coming over; spent my twenty-first birthday aboard ship. I really love the water; wish I had joined the navy. This country is beautiful and the climate is much like our own. The summer, they say, is really hot here. It is spring now; has been nice but is rather cool today. There are lots of fruits and nuts to be bought. Oranges cost about thirty cents a dozen. When it is orange season, you pick them off the trees.

The Italians are great for wine. It can be bought from thirty cents up for a quart most anywhere. They call it ‘veno.’ I had one taste of it. That’s all I want. It’s just like rotten cider. The people let their animals sleep in the house with them. It is not unusual to see a horse or a mule tied in a corner of the living quarters. I nearly died laughing the first time I saw a horse tied in a house. The buggy was inside also.

I went up to a monastery built on a mountain. It was really beautiful inside; sights which I had never seen before. The art work was lovely. The altars were great masterpieces which must have taken years to build. The food over here is really good, but I do miss fresh milk now and then. I had some Italian ice cream today. It was not too bad, but not as good as our Canadian ice cream. I have had the odd plate of spaghetti. Boy, it really is good, but darn dear. A plate alone, no bread, costs seventy cents.

In June 1944, Betty Core in Mooretown would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing her that her husband Garnet, was slightly wounded on May 30, 1944 while fighting with Canadian troops in Italy, during the Italian Campaign. The nature of the wound was not revealed. Betty Core expressed to her family and friends that she hoped that the wound was not serious and that he would be able to rejoin his unit soon. On an early June morning, Betty Core visited the Canadian (Sarnia) Observer office to advise them that her husband had been wounded in action in Italy on May 30. A short time later, she received further information from the director of Records at Ottawa that her husband had died on May 31, 1944, as a result of wounds received during fighting. Garnet Core would later be officially listed as, Overseas casualty, died of wounds received in action, in the field (Italy).

In early July 1944, Blackwell United Church in Sarnia honoured Private Core. A capacity congregation filled the Church on the occasion of a Sunday morning memorial service for Garnet Core. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers and flags for the service. During the service, an honour roll bearing the names of fourteen men who had enlisted from the Blackwell congregation and community was unveiled and dedicated. The unveiling ceremony was performed by Private James Somes; R.C.A., and the prayer of dedication was pronounced by the Rev. P.S. Banes, of Point Edward.

Twenty-one year old Private Garnet Core is buried in Cassino War Cemetery, Italy, Grave XIII.B.12. On Garnet’s headstone are inscribed the words, The peace of Jesus filled his breast and in his arms he sank to rest.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D