Lieutenant-Colonel Mowbray Alway
8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Hussars)

If I should not see you all again in a theatre of Operations, I ask that when you get back to “civvy street,” if you should at anytime see me, please let out a “yell” or make yourself known in some manner. If I recognise you I will do the same.

(Alway farewell address, war diary, 27 Apr 1945)

Born on 15 November 1910 in Hamilton, Ontario, Bruce Mowbray Alway was a graduate of the city’s Collegiate Institution and worked for a bank then a steel company. Although a member of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry since 1935, he transferred to the newly formed 8th Reconnaissance Regiment in the January 1941. Just over three years later, he succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel F.A. Vokes, who had been assigned to the 9th Armoured (British Columbia Dragoons) Regiment in the Italian theatre.

Composed of light armoured cars, the 8th Recce arrived to France as part of 2nd Division in early July 1944. Alway would command the unit for almost the entire advance through the Low Countries and into Germany. At the Battle of the Scheldt in September, he earned the D.S.O.: “His sound and quick judgment, clear appreciation and foresight during operations, energetic enthusiasm and absolute control of his troops under the most difficult battle conditions, have combined to produce a leader and commanding office, whose individual record is outstanding.”

He returned to Canada on leave in late April 1945, handing command over to Major J.F. Merner. “I wish at this time to express my sincere thanks to you, one and all,” Always said in his farewell address, “for the fine support you have given me … [I] expect that the war will be over before they can ‘haul’ me back here.” Recognizing that war was in its final days, he concluded with a final instruction for his troops, “Keep your heads down! Goodbye, good luck and God bless you all.”

He resumed his prewar executive career, retiring as president of the steel company in 1972. He died on 24 May 1999.