Corporal Joseph McKenna died of wounds inflicted during operations in the Waspik sector of the Maas River front. His Commando had been ordered to maintain forward positions on the small island of Kapelsche Veer which lies between the River Maas and the River Oudermaas. Both he, and Lieutenant Richard Bate, had been badly wounded during a river landing and had to be left behind when his patrol withdrew with other casualties.