Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Mitchell
Royal Highlanders of Canada (The Black Watch)

I greatly regret that I found it necessary to take the actions I did on September 22, 1944 but I’m afraid that when I arrive at a calculated decision, it is providential that it be carried out. I assure you that I have made no mistake other than possible the method of handing, and I tried to be loyal to both the Regiment and higher authority.

(Mitchell to Col. Hutchinson, 25 Oct 1944)

Born in Montreal in June 1908, Francis Murray Mitchell graduated from RMC and McGill University, where he excelled in sports. Having belonged to the Black Watch since 1930, he went overseas with the regiment as a captain in 1940 and by 1943 had been promoted to lieutenant-colonel while seconded for special duty with First Canadian Army. He reverted to major to serve as second-in-command when the Black Watch landed in France under Lieutenant-Colonel S.S.T. Cantlie.

On 25 July 1944 near Caen, a German machine opened fire on a reconnoitring party led by Cantlie. Fatally wounded, the colonel succumbed a few hours later while company commander Major Phil Griffin took over during the battle until he too was killed. The Black Watch suffered over 300 casualties that day. Responsibility for reorganizing the shattered battalion after its first action fell to Mitchell. As one officer noted, “the majority of his officers are strangers,” although for his new second-in-command Mitchell secured original Black Watch officer and fellow RMC graduate Major B.R. Ritchie.

Although Mitchell quickly rebuilt his unit, from the start he had a poor relationship with Brigadier W.J. Megill of the 5th Infantry Brigade. Following more losses at Verrières Ridge and the Falaise Pocket, Mitchell grew increasingly frustrated with his superior’s tactics and orders. “The last two months have been grim,” he reflected of his tenure in command.

A blow-up meeting between the colonel and the brigadier in September 1944 exposed the fundamental clash of personalities but resolved nothing. Mitchell demanded an interview with 2nd Division commander Major-General Charles Foulkes, who instead sided with Megill and demanded his removal from command of the Black Watch. “It is considered that in order to bring the unit back to its full fighting efficiency,” II Canadian Corps commander Guy Simonds wrote, “a commanding officer of very strong personality is required to lead it.”

Having briefly transferred to command the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and then the South Saskatchewan Regiment, Ritchie took over the Black Watch. Stripped of command and sent back to England, Mitchell suffered a nervous breakdown by early 1945. At the Basingstoke Neuropsychiatric hospital he was diagnosed with battle exhaustion. He recovered to serve as postwar commandant of the Royal Highlanders of Canada until retirement from the army in 1947.

He died in Montreal on 7 May 1976.