A War Hero

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A War Hero

Andy Trofanenko, Royal Canadian Artillery

Andy in hospital after losing a leg

With Aide Gwendoline Day 1945

Artillery advancing in Germany

These guns are fired from observation tanks

Andrew Trofanenko came from Lethbridge, Alberta. He servend in Canada, England and NorhWest Europe, during World War 11, in the artillery as a signaller, mostly a talented radio operator in tanks. A bright, friendly guy, he was liked by everybody. In action, in Germany, the tank hit a mine, exploded and caught fire. Although Andy had both legs broken, and was in shock, he managed to free himself from his harness, microphone and earphones, and jumped from the burning tank, further damaging his legs..Enter content here

Flown out to England, he had numerous operations in the Canadian army hospital at Horley. The legs were so bad that the surgeons wanted to remove both legs, but one of the three doctors wanted to try to save one of them. Andy sided with that opinion, but the leg was so bad that it was amputated also. During that delay, the leg wasn't at all fragrant, but the volunteer aids and visitors attended Andy daily-

some were often ill from the sight and smell of Andy's injouries, but maintained a cheery outlook for Andy- certainly unsung heros also. In the photo, just before the second leg was amputated, is Gwendoline Day, an Auxillary Territorial Services Aide from Ryde.

Andy Trofanenko was returned home to Lethbridge and was almost a fixture getting about with his crutches. He died, partly as a result of his wartime injuries, in March, 1978.

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