Born on 18 July 1908, John “Jack” Murdoch was a former Olympic rower.

Highly skilled in the sport, Jack represented Canada at the 1928 Summer Olympics held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Jack was part of the Canadian boat that competed in the eights. Alongside his countrymen, Jack achieved a third-place finish behind winners the USA and Great Britain to bring a Bronze Medal back to Canada.

During the Second World War, Jack served as a Captain with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 13th Field Regiment.

The 13th Field Regiment took part in the bloody Battle for the Scheldt fought between October and November 1944.

The Scheldt campaign was fought to open the shipping route from Antwerp  into the Low Countries to support the Allied push into Germany. 

It was a tough, bloody battle where determined defence combined with terrible weather to create a costly but ultimately successful campaign for the Allies. 
Canadian troops spearheaded the attacks on the Scheldt. Conditions were such that the battlefields of the Scheldt closely resembled those of the Western Front. 

Ultimately, the Allies were able to force their way over the river and canal crossings to clear the waterways around Antwerp for Allied shipping.

Jack and the 13th Field Artillery Regiment took part in the Battle of the Scheldt. 

He was killed on 10th October 1944, aged 36. Jack is buried at Adegem Canadian War Cemetery.