Arthur Herbert “Art” Densley

We regret to advise of the death of Arthur Herbert “Art” Densley on 3 April 2020 in Saskatoon SK at the age of 99 years. Art was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War.

Born in Estavan SK, when Art originally responded to the call for volunteers initially wanting to sign up with the South Saskatchewan Regiment. However, was encouraged to join the 20^th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers in Winnipeg. After training in Petawawa ON and Sussex NB, his company embarked from Halifax for England on 16 July 1943. In England training for an eventual invasion of the Continent continued for almost a year. During the Normandy Invasion, 20^th Field Company started landing in Normandy on 17 June. The company soon achieved some considerable recognition for their construction of the famous ‘Monty’ Bailey Bridge at Caen. After supporting the Allied advance through France and Belgium, the unit was part of an Allied combined engineer effort of thousands of sappers to support a final drive into Germany. They supported the attacking forces by bridging and rafting of the three rivers that barred the way to Arnhem in The Netherlands. 20^th Fd Coy was also involved in Op BERLIN along with the 23^th Field Company, RCE in the rescue of trapped Airborne Troops from the Arnhem bridgehead on the nights of 25-27 Sep 1944. Later in the war, his company made a heroic assault crossing of the Ems River near Leek, The Netherlands.

After the war, the family moved from Estevan to Saskatoon in 1955 when he began his career with Customs. When Art retired in 1986 he received a certificate from the Government of Canada acknowledging his over 34 years of service to his country recognizing both his years with the Army and his career with Customs and Excise Canada.

Art was one of the founding members of Goforth Memorial Presbyterian Church (now Calvin Goforth Presbyterian Church) in Saskatoon and remained an active member of this church for his entire life.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public funeral. If desired, please make donations in his memory to Kinsmen Telemiracle, Kinsmen Foundation, Inc., 2217C Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A8, www.telemiracle.com . Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. ^{khApr2020}