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By BGen (Ret) Michael E. Heppell
Colonel Geoffrey D. Corry passed away suddenly but peacefully at his residence in Victoria on January 2, 2005 at the age of 81.
Born in Eastend, Saskatchewan, Geoff attended Brentwood College and University School in Victoria and the University of British Columbia.
He enlisted on active duty with 2 Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) in July 1942 and was commissioned in Feb 1943. In June 1943 he proceeded to England to serve with 1 Bn, C Scot R. He landed with 7 Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division on D Day as a reinforcement officer and on June 7 was assigned to command No.15 Platoon, C Company, C Scot R whose officer commanding had been killed in action the day previously during the attack on the Chateau Vaux. His training and leadership skills were soon put to the test when the next day the Battalion was ordered to counter-attack and retake Putot-en-Bessin, after the Royal Winnipeg Rifles had been overrun during an aggressive and heavily supported attack by the 26th Panzer Grenadier Regiment. The action was successful but the enemy was persistent in launching counter-attacks, of which all were vigorously repulsed.
On July 9 at Cussy, during the hard fought advance to Caen, he was shot in the leg which resulted in air evacuation to England for treatment and recovery.
Following the War, he attended UBC (BA) and in 1950 served as a Historical Officer at Army HQ. He served in Korea (1951-52) at 25 Canadian Infantry Brigade HQ and was mentioned in dispatches. Then he served with 1st and 2nd Canadian Highland Battalions in Germany, 1st and 2nd Battalions Black Watch (RHR) of Canada, in Germany and in Canada (1953-63). He was away from the Regiment for Staff College (1955-56 and 1959).
His career included service as an exchange officer with the British Army (1965-67) and Military Advisor to the Canadian High Commissioner in Canberra, Australia (1970-73). He retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1973 and was employed by the Loram Group in Calgary until 1982 when he and his wife, Eleanor, settled in Qualicum Beach and later in Victoria.
He served as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, The Canadian Scottish Regiment (1992-95), Honorary Colonel (1995-2000) and was tireless in his dedication to the development of the Regimental Museum at Bay Street Armoury.
He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor, and is survived by daughters Leslie and Patricia, and sons Donald and John.
He joined RUSI of VI in 1995. 
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