On May 22, 1944 the 48TH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA were ordered to attack the Adolf Hitler Line at MR 731157.

HONORARY/CAPTAIN STEWART BLAND EAST moved into the Bridgehead made in the line with one of the Forward Companies. Here under heavy mortar and shellfire, he started organizing a forward collecting post for casualties.

This Chaplain was himself hit in the arm but undeterred, he continued to move among the men and encourage them. Later he was wounded in the leg but he dressed the injury himself and applied his own tourniquet.

Before he would allow himself to be evacuated he insisted on going out to all company positions with the aid of a stick to prove to the men that he was not seriously hit and to assure them that he would return soon.

HONORARY/CAPTAIN EAST is held in such high regard by all ranks of his unit that his presence in the Bridgehead combined with his gallant action exerted a tremendous influence on the men who were faced with a very serious situation.

Editor's note:
As he was 6'-6" tall, Padre East was mighty in stature as well as in courage.