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 Sgt Aubrey Cosens, VC, Memorial Bridge - Latchford, Ontario, Canada Posted by:  Loonwatcher
N 47° 19.365 W 079° 48.599
17T E 589925 N 5241717
An arch bridge in memory of a local WWII hero.
Waymark Code: WMNZ6Y
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 05/27/2015
Views: 4
The Place:
Sgt. Aubrey Cosens VC Memorial Bridge is named after Sgt. Aubrey Cosens VC, and is located in Latchford, Ontario where Highway 11 crosses the Montreal River just south of the entrance to the village.
This bridge falls under the tied arch steel span type. The floor is suspended from the main arches, similar to the suspension of cable-type bridges.
On January 14, 2003 there was a partial failure of the bridge, resulting in the closure of the highway. A temporary one-lane bridge was constructed to carry traffic on the highway until the bridge was repaired and reopened. There were no casualties in the incident.
The Person:
Sgt. Aubrey Cosens, VC, (21 May 1921 - 26 February 1945) was a Canadian (born in Latchford, Ontario) posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
On February 26, 1945, two outstanding riflemen lead an attack against German Paratroopers in their fortified positions in Mooshof, Germany. It held the key to the advance of an entire Canadian Corps. That day Cosens personally killed twenty of the enemy and captured twenty more, leading his platoon of teenagers to victory. Only minutes after securing his position, he was killed by a sniper on his way to report to his Company commander. For his courage and leadership, Platoon Sergeant Aubrey Cosens was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Citation from the London Gazette, no.37086, 22 May 1945:
“In Holland, on the night of 25th/26th February, 1945, the 1st Battalion, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, launched an attack on the hamlet of Mooshof, to capture ground which was considered essential for the successful development of future operations.
Sergeant Cosens platoon, with two tanks in support, attacked enemy strongpoints in three farm buildings, but were twice beaten back by fanatical enemy resistance and then fiercely counter-attacked, during which time the platoon suffered heavy casualties and the platoon commander was killed.
Sergeant Cosens at once assumed command of the only other four survivors of his platoon, whom he placed in a position to give him covering fire, while he himself ran across open ground under heavy mortar and shell fire to the one remaining tank, where, regardless of danger, he took up an exposed place in front of the turret and directed its fire.
After a further enemy counter-attack had been repulsed, Sergeant Cosens ordered the tank to attack the farm buildings, while the four survivors of his platoon followed in close support. After the tank had rammed the first building he entered it alone, killing several of the defenders and taking the rest prisoner.
Single-handed he then entered the second and third buildings and personally killed or captured all the occupants, although under intense machine gun and small arms fire.
Just after the successful reduction of these important enemy strongpoints, Sergeant Cosens was shot through the head by an enemy sniper and died almost instantly.
The outstanding gallantry, initiative and determined leadership of this brave N.C.O., who himself killed at least twenty of the enemy and took an equal number of prisoners, resulted in the capture of a position which was vital to the success of the future operations of the Brigade.”
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Year it was dedicated: 1960
Location of Coordinates: South entrance to village
Related Web address (if available): [Web Link]
Type of place/structure you are waymarking: highway bridge
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