The Marlborough
Historical Society

     Wilfred was born the 12^th of October, 1914 in Grafton, Massachusetts, one of four children born to Albert and Rose Demers.  He lived with his parents at 6 Springhill Avenue in Marlborough.  While working at the Marlborough Wire Goods Company, Wilfred enlisted into the Army the 15^th of October, 1942.  Following his basic training, he was assigned to Company M of the 331^st Infantry Regiment, 83^rd Infantry Division.  The 331^st was stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky in September of 1943 and stayed at this station training until the 29^th of March, 1944 where the unit moved to Camp Shanks, New York. 

     From New York, Wilfred and his regiment departed for Europe aboard the USAT GEORGE WASHINGTON the 5^th of April, 1944.  The 331^st arrived in England the 19^th of April, 1944 and the third battalion was stationed in Bettisfield Park, Flintshire, Wales until the 1^st of May 1944.  The regiment remained at various stations in England and Wales before departing in its entirety to Normandy the 18^th of June, 1944 aboard the HMS DEVONSHIRE, USAT ELMER SPERRY and USS GEORGE DEWEY. 

     Wilfred and his comrades landed in France at Omaha beach the 23^rd of June, 1944 and proceeded to Bricqueville, France the 26^th of June 1944.  The Regiment next relived elements of the 101^st Airborne division west of Carentan, France the 27^th of June 1944.  On the 4^th of July 1944 the 331^st began a general attack to the southwest as part of VII Corps against German positions near Sainteny, France.  On the 7^th of July 1944 Wilfred was killed in action.  His remains were repatriated to the United States in 1948 and he is buried at the St Mary’s Cemetery in Marlborough, Massachusetts.  Demers Drive in Marlborough is named in his honor.

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