Lieutenant-Colonel Allan Saunders
West Nova Scotia Regiment

Is conscientious and hard working … As [commander] he lacked confidence in himself and has apparently been unable to inspired his coy comds in carrying out their tasks. Under stress is pessimistic and indecisive and both these characteristics are communicated to his subordinates. He is not firm in assessing and dealing with shortcomings of his subordinates. Consider Saunders does not have required personality or qualities of leadership to comd inf bn in action.

(Adverse confidential report, Jan 1945)

Born on 24 April 1903 in Waterford, Ontario, Allan Livingston Saunders was a steel company general manager and militia officer with the York Rangers. He went overseas as captain in 1940, returned to take a course at RMC, and qualified as a general staff officer. While serving with the 1st Canadian Division in Italy, in September 1944, he was appointed the new commanding officer of the West Nova Scotia Regiment.

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