JOSEPH RODOLPHE GASTON FARLETTE
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 29 June 1918
Date of Death: 30 November 1944
Parents: Nicholas and Albertine Farlette
82 Waller Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: Ecole Garneau
Ottawa Technical High School
University of Montreal (graduate)
Background
Gaston was born in Ottawa. He was an all-round athlete who engaged in rugby, skiing, skating, bowling, swimming and softball. He was also a fisherman and a hunter. He worked in Ottawa as a salesman for various firms before working as a draughtsman with the Dominion Bridge Company in Lachine, Quebec. He left that company to enlist in the R.C.A.F. in September 1942.
His initial training was at Manning Depot in Lachine, Quebec. His aircrew training was undertaken in Hagersville, Belleville, Winnipeg, Brandon, Fingal and Malton where he received his Bombadier wing and commission as a Pilot Officer on May 18, 1943. He was posted overseas in July 1943.
When landing in England he reported to #83 OTU for operational training. Subsequently, he joined a squadron of Bomber Command which flew Wellington bombers. He and the entire crew were killed when the aircraft crashed. He is buried in BrookwoodCemetery, Surrey, England.
F/O Farlette was survived by his mother, two brothers, P/O Fernand Farlette and LAC Leopold Farlette, both with the R.C.A.F., and by two sisters, Miss Jacqueline Farlette and Miss Myrelle Farlette, both of Ottawa.
MICHAEL ARNOLD GLEASON
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 8 June 1918
Date of Death: 20 November 1944
Parents: Sgt. Major John Thomas and Mary Anastasia Gleason
59 Blackburn Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Wife: Violet Isabel Gleason
Toronto, Ontario
Education: St. Joseph’s School
St. Patrick’s College
Osgoode Hall, Toronto
Background
Arnold was born in Ottawa. He was prominent in school activities. He was a member of the college debating team which toured the United States in 1939. He was active in rowing and football. Following his graduation from St. Patrick’s College he joined the legal firm of Hughes and Laishley. He left that firm and worked for two years at the Attorney General’s department in Toronto. He attended Osgoode Hall for a year before enlisting in the R.C.A.F. in April 1942.
For his initial training he was sent to Manning Depot in Toronto. His aircrew training was taken at St. Hubert, Belleville, Saskatoon and Pendleton, Saskatchewan where he received his pilot’s wings in June 29, 1943 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. He served in Canada at Summerside, P.E.I. until November 1943 when he went overseas where he was promoted to Flying Officer.
He was flying a Halifax aircraft with Bomber Command when killed. His plane crashed near Doncaster, Yorkshire. He is buried in the R.A.F. Regional Cemetery in Harrowgate, Yorkshire.
F/O Gleason was survived by his widow Isabel, by his mother and four brothers, F/O Cecil Gleason, LAC Thomas Gleason, both with the R.C.A.F, Able Seaman Edward G, and Patrick Gleason (at home), and by three sisters, Sister Mary St. Patrick (Holy Cross Congregation in Montreal), and Margie and Bernice Gleason (at home).
ARTHUR EDWARD HARRIS
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 16 September 1917
Date of Death: 14 October 1944
Parents: Thomas and Elizabeth Harris
130 Osgoode Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: LaSalle Academy
Lisgar Collegiate
Background
Arthur was born in Ottawa, the youngest of four children.. He played hockey during his school years. He was well known in athletic circles in Ottawa. When he left school in 1938, he joined the #1 Ordnance Company (Non-Permanent) in Ottawa as a civilian. He left to join the army in August 1939 just shortly before war was declared.
His initial training was taken in Ottawa and then he was sent to Petawawa and Barriefield for advanced training. He was made Corporal in March 1941 and went overseas with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (R.C.O.C.) in December 1942.
During his training years in England Arthur rose to the rank of Sergeant. He landed on the continent with the Second Canadian Division, Infantry Reinforcement Unit and fought through France and Belgium. Sgt. Harris was killed in action in Belgium. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre avec Palme by the Belgium government His grave is in Schoonselhof Military Cemetery, Antwerp.
He was survived by his parents and two brothers, Thomas Patrick and John Percival, and a sister, Rosemary Harris, all of Ottawa.
JOHN JOSEPH KINKAID
Personal Data
Date of Birth : 7 July 1914
Date of Death : 28 August 1942
Parents: Alex James and Mary Kinkaid
456 Arlington Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Wife: Mabel Kinkaid
281 Besserer Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: Separate School
Ottawa Technical H.S.
St. Patrick’s College
Background
John was born and educated in Ottawa. He played football on teams while at OttawaTechnicalSchool and St, Patrick’s College. He also played on an Ottawa Rough Riders junior team called the Gladstones. He also played baseball, soft ball and liked swimming. After graduation he worked for seven years as a miner at Lake Shore Mines in KirklandLake. He left to join the R.C.A.F. in March 4, 1941.
He was sent to Manning Depot in Toronto for his initial training. His training as a pilot was taken at Victoriaville, Stanley, N.S., and Moncton N.B. where he was awarded his wings in November 1941. He was posted overseas to England in December 1941.
He reported to an OTU for operational training. He then joined 101st Squadron of Bomber Command and was promoted to Flight Sergeant in May 1942. He was flying a Wellington aircraft on a sortie to bomb Cassel, Germany. The plane was last heard from when it was over the North Sea about 45 miles from the coast of Holland. It is presumed that it crashed into the sea killing the entire crew.
F/S Kincaid was survived by his wife and a son, John Richard, by his mother and three brothers, Hugh, James and Alex, all of whom were in uniform.
STANLEY JOHN KOZOLOWSKI
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 13 November 1915
Date of Death: 8 March 1942
Parents: Hilary and Mary Kozlowski
361 Stewart Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: Belmont School
Catholic High School (Montreal)
Sir George Williams College (Montreal)
Lisgar Collegiate
Miss Orr’s Shorthand School
Background
Stanley was born in Montreal. His parents moved to Ottawa where his father became a member of the Polish Legation staff on Chapel Street. He attended Lisgar Collegiate from 1934 – 1936 during which time he was elected School President. After graduation he worked a few years as a waiter and head water at summer resorts in Ontario. He joined the Department of Mines and Resources as a stenographer in the Metallic Minerals Division. Stanley led an active civilian life. He served as Secretary of the Polish-Canadian Club of Ottawa, represented the Metallic Minerals Division in the Civil Service Association and took an active part in the work of the Drama League in Ottawa.
He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in June 1940 and was sent to Manning Depot in Toronto. His flying training was taken in Regina, Brandon, Prince Albert, and CampBorden. He was appointed Flight Sergeant on December 1, 1941 and received his pilot’s wings on 31 December 1941.
He was sent overseas to England in March 1941 and reported to #150 OTU for operational training. Then he was assigned to the 103rd Squadron. He flew more than 20 successful raids over Germany. In October 1941 he was posted to the Middle East where he joined 37th Squadron of Bomber Command Group. He was piloting a Wellington aircraft on a bombing mission when he was killed. He had received his promotion to Warrant Officer just a few days before.
He was survived by his parents and by one brother, Henry, who was completing a metallurgy course at Queen’s University. His brother was a second Lieutenant in the Canadian Officer’s Training Corps (C.O.T.C)
WINSTON FRANCIS McCARTHY
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 15 May 1915
Date of Death: 2 April 1942
Parents: Daniel and Maude McCarthy
113 Henderson Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. William’s School
St. Joseph’s School
St. Patrick’s College
Background
Winston was born and educated in Ottawa. He was a year-round athlete, participating in hockey, skiing, tennis, swimming, baseball and bowling. Following his graduation he joined Greenshields and Company as a quotation clerk and later moved to the Capital Trust Corporation, spending five years in both its bond and mortgage departments. He left in June 1940 to join the R.C.A.F.
His initial posting was to Manning Depot in Toronto. His aircrew training was taken in Hamilton, Saskatoon and Digby. He received his pilot’s wings on March 17, 1941.
In May of the following year he was sent overseas to England where he reported to #58 OTU for operational training.
In June he joined 412th Squadron which flew Spitfire fighter planes. He made many sweeps over German-held territory on the continent. He was congratulated for heroism when, shortly after arriving in England, he and other Canadian members of his squadron attacked a flotilla of German E-Boats off the coast of the Netherlands. He received his promotion to Pilot Officer in May 1942. He was posted to Malta in March 1942 and shortly after was killed in action. It is believed he was lost at sea. His name is inscribed on the Memorial Monument in Malta dedicated to Commonwealth airmen who lost their lives while fighting over that island.
P/O McCarthy was survived by his parents, and two brothers, R.J. McCarthy R.C.A.F. who was killed while flying with 126th Squadron, and (still looking for other name).
IAN GEORGE ARMOUR McNAUGHTON
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 8 November1919
Date of Death: 23 June 1942
Parents: General Andrew G.L. and Mabel C.S. McNaughton
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: Ottawa Model School
Loyola College (Montreal)
Royal Military College (RMC)
Background
Ian was born in Ottawa. His record indicates that he played football and liked to build model airplanes and practice shooting. His chosen career path was with the military. From 1937-1939 he was at the Royal Military College. He rose to 2nd Lieutenant with the 1st and 2nd Royal Canadian Artillery. He left them to join the R.C.A.F. in January of 1940. He had several hours of flying experience as a civilian.
His training was done at Trenton, Uplands and Camp Borden where he gained his commission and his wings in June 1940.He was then transferred to Rivers, Manitoba as an instructor. He was unhappy with this posting because he wanted to be overseas where he felt he could better contribute to the war effort. He was transferred overseas in August 1941.
He was attached to 61st Bomber Squadron which flew the famous Lancaster bomber. He took part in many large raids over Germany including a 1000 bomber raid on Essen. During those months he rose in rank to that of Squadron Leader. On the night he was killed, the target was Emden, Germany. His plane crashed in Gross Medlum, Germany. His initial grave was in Witmund. His remains were later transferred to Oldenburg British Military Cemetery near Williamshaven, Germany.
S/L McNaughton was survived by his parents who were in England at the time. A Requiem High Mass was said for him later at Leatherhead Roman Catholic Church. He was also survived by two brothers, F/L Andrew McNaughton with the R.C.A.F. and Captain Edward McNaughton with the Royal Canadian Artillery and two sisters Mrs. T.K. McDougall of Ottawa and Miss Leslie McNaughton at Sacred Heart Convent in Montreal.
RODERICK JAMES McLACHLAN
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 1 June 1917
Date of Death: 27 December 1941
Parents: Ronald D. and Mary McLachlan
50 College Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. Joseph’s School
St. Patrick’s College
Lisgar Collegiate
Background
Roderick was born in Glen Nevis, Ontario. During his school years he was involved in boxing, swimming and playing hockey. After completing his education he worked as a miner with the Lamaque Gold Mines for almost three years. He left to join the R.C.A.F. on the 29 June 1940.
His training began at the Manning Depot in Toronto, then on to Malton, Jarvis and Rivers, Manitoba where he graduated as an Air Observer. He arrived overseas in March of 1941. He joined 110th Squadron of Bomber Command and flew many combat missions over Europe with them. The most memorable was his filming, with the aircraft flying at low level, of the damage done by the bombing of Rotterdam in September,1941. He received his commission as Pilot Officer on October 9, 1941.
He had been with the 110th Hyderabad Squadron only five months and was flying in one of a group of Blenheim bombers which were detailed to attack enemy shipping off the North Sea when his plane was damaged and crashed, killing the crew.
P/O McLachlan was survived by his mother, three brothers, Douglas J. of Noranda, Quebec, Norman L. of Midland, Pa. and John A. (at home) and by three sisters, Mrs Greydon Mongo of Detroit, Alexandra McLachlan of Long Island, N.Y., and Margaret McLachlan (at home).
JAMES CARLETON COFFEY
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 22 August 1908
Date of Death: 8 March 1944
Parents: P.J. and Mary Ann Coffey
271 Stewart Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Wife: Barbara Coffey
Toronto, Ontario
Education: Ottawa Model School
University of Ottawa
Background
James was born in Ottawa. Not much is known about his school years. His preferences in sports were tennis and squash and he enjoyed motoring. After graduating from the University of Ottawa he worked as a clerk at both the Bank of Nova Scotia and later at BellCanada. While in Ottawa he attended St. Joseph’s Church and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He then spent a few years in a number of companies as a salesman and ultimately as a sales manager. He left to join the R.C.A.F. on November 24 1939.
His first posting was to Manning Depot in Toronto where his officers quickly recognized James’s administrative skills. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on December 29 1939 and sent to the InitialTraining School (ITS) at Trenton as a school administrator. In October 1940 he was promoted to Flying Officer. Then in August 1941 he was appointed Station Administration Officer at Hagersville and promoted to Squadron Leader. In early 1942 he was sent overseas to the R.C.A.F. station in Bournemouth, England as Senior Administration Officer.
He was promoted to Wing Commander on October 1943. He was repatriated to Canada in November of 1943 and was stationed at Aircrew Graduate School (AGS) in Quebec City. He was accidently killed on March 8, 1944. His funeral took place in Ottawa.
W/C Coffey was survived by his wife Barbara and daughter Elizabeth Ann and son Pat, all in Toronto, and by his mother, two brothers, W/C P.J. Coffey with the R.C.A.F. in Halifax and John B. of Montreal, and by four sisters all in Ottawa, Mrs. H. Edwards, wife of Air Marshall Edwards, Mrs. W.J. Dalton, Miss Louise Coffey and Mrs. J.F. McDonald.
GORDON BELEC
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 9 June 1920
Date of Death: 13 May 1943
Parents: Napoleon and Laura Lapierre Belec
77 Sweetland Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. Patrick’s School
Ottawa Technical H.S.
Background
Gordon was born in Ottawa. His favourite sports while attending school were rugby, softball and hockey. Upon graduation he was employed by the J.H. Connor Machine Shop as an apprentice tool maker. He left that firm to join the Ordnance Corps of the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1940 -1941. He resigned to join the R.C.A.F. in November 1941.
His first posting was to Manning Depot at Brandon, Manitoba. His aircrew training took him to Regina, Saskatoon, Paulson, Manitoba for some Gunnery training then to Portage Laprairie where he won his Navigator wing in November 1942. He shipped overseas in December 1942.
In England he reported to #81 O.T.U. for operational training. He was then attached to a Bomber Command squadron which flew Whitley Mark V aircraft. He flew many successful bombing missions over enemy territory with this squadron. His plane crashed in AlsopVillage in Derbyshire England due to engine failure when returning from a massive bombing raid over Germany. He and the crew were buried in AshbourneCemetery in Derbyshire.
Sgt. Belec was survived by his mother, a brother Sgt. Howard Belec with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS) in Ottawa and by two sisters, Mrs. Orland Gorman of Ottawa and Grace (at home).
WILLIAM FRANCIS HULL
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 12 May 1912
Date of Death: 11 December 1941
Parents: William John and Mary Agnes Hull
98 Blackburn Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. Joseph’s School
St. Patrick’s College
Glebe Collegiate
Lisgar Collegiate
Background
William was born in Ottawa. While at school he engaged in many sports e.g., track, football, baseball, swimming and hockey. His junior hockey team advanced to the semi-finals of the 1937 Memorial Cup. Upon leaving school he first worked for the C.P.R. Telegraph as a lineman. He left to join Continental Diamond Drilling Company as a driller. He moved later to O’Brien Mines as a driller and sampler. He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in August 1940.
He was sent to Manning Depot in Brandon. At first he trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in Brandon and Saskatoon but re-mustered in December 1940 as a pilot. This training was taken in Regina, Lethbridge and Calgary where he gained his wings. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in July 1941 and was sent overseas shortly after. In England he reported to OTU in Finningley, Yorkshire for operational training.
Then he was posted to 408th Squadron of Bomber Command. He was piloting a Hampden Mark I aircraft in a raid over Germany when his plane was damaged and crashed near Sandrum, Denmark. He and his entire crew were killed. Their graves are in OdenseSupplementaryCemetery in Denmark. About 100 local people of Sandrum attended their funeral in a local church where a Mass was said. The people of the town erected a memorial monument with an inscription part of which read “….gave their lives for our freedom on this spot…”
P/O Hull was survived by his parents, by a sister, Dorothea McDonald of Ottawa, and a brother (looking for name).
JOHN PURCELL BROPHY
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 20 April 1908
Date of Death: 13 June 1944
Parents: Arthur Alexander and Agnes Katherine Brophy
377 Stewart Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Wife: Dorothy Vivien Brophy
470 Manor Road
Rockcliffe, Ontario
Education: Model School
Lisgar Collegiate
Background
John was born in Ottawa. He was well known in athletic circles in Ottawa. He was a member of the Ottawa Rowing Club and had turned out with the Ottawa Rough Riders.
His early work experience was in sales with the firms of E.A.Pierce and later with F. O’Connor. In 1937 he proceeded to Winnipeg as assistant manager of the CBC radio station there. He left the CBC to join the Army in 1940.
As a 2nd Lieutenant he spent some time as a Cipher Officer with the Intelligence Staff at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He was posted overseas in June 1941. He was made a Captain in September 1942 and joined the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry as they fought their way through Sicily and Italy. He was with them through the battle of the MoroValley.
In 1944 he was assigned as Adjutant to the 2nd Canadian Public Relations Group in Italy. While standing by the side of a road near Rome he was hit by a speeding truck. Suffering multiple injuries, he was taken to a hospital in Anzio where he died.
Captain Brophy was survived by his wife Dorothy Vivien and two daughters, Jill and Diana, by his mother and two sisters, Miss Mary Brophy and Mrs. Joe Finn and a brother, Paul Brophy with the R.C.A.F. in India.
TALBOT FRANCIS PAPINEAU-O’NEILL
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 26 April 1920
Date of Death: 1 November 1940
Parents: John Alexander and Angelita O’Neill
393 Nelson Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. Joseph’s School
St. Patrick’s College
Background
Francis was born in Ottawa. There is little known about his school years. While at St. Patrick’s College he was member of the junior inter-scholastic football team. He left college to join the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in September 1939 at the very beginning of the war. The military seemed to be in his family and perhaps he saw it as his future career.
His father served overseas in World War I with the 21st battalion. He was severely wounded in action and invalided home. A cousin, Major Talbot Papineau of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was awarded the Military Cross and died in battle at Passchendaele. An uncle, Gordon O’Neill also of the Princess Pat’s, died in 1924 of wounds suffered in WW I. This is in sharp contrast to his great grandfather Louis Joseph Papineau who led the Rebellion of 1837 which was in opposition to the Union of Lower Canada and Upper Canada.
Francis took his initial training at Lansdowne Park and then at Kingston and Barriefield.
His unit, the 2nd Division Signals was sent overseas in September 1940. He was riding a motorcycle when he had an accident. The cause was not known. He died of his injuries while on active service. His funeral took place at St. Michael’s R.C.Church in Aldershot England and his grave is in the Brockwood Military Cemetery in Surrey. He was only 19 years old.
Signalman Papineau-O’Neill was survived by his parents, two sisters, Mary Elinor and Ann Rosalie Papineau-O’Neill, and a brother John Angelo Papineau-O’Neill.
ROBERT JOSEPH O’LEARY
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 22 September 1921
Date of Death: 26 March 1942
Parents: Michael Joseph and Bernice O’Leary
426 Nelson Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. Joseph’s School
Ottawa University High School
Ottawa Technical H.S.
Background
Robert was born in Ottawa. He was an outstanding athlete. While at TechnicalSchool he starred in hockey and football He was a member of the school hockey team that won an Eastern Ontario championship. He also engaged in paddling. His early employment was of a general nature with the local firms of L. Goldstein and then with D. Thompson. Later he joined Findlay’s Ltd. as a welder. He left that firm to join the R.C.A.F. in July 1940.
He was sent to the Manning Depot in Toronto for his initial training. His next posting was to the WirelessSchool in Montreal and then to the Bombing and GunnerySchool in Fingal where he won his WO/AG badge in March 1941. He was sent overseas in July 1941 and was attached to the #16 O.T.U.
Shortly after his operational training he was promoted to Flight Sergeant. He was flying in a Hampden aircraft when it crashed, killing all the crew. His grave is in a church yard in Northamphtonshire, England. His file contained a touching letter from an English gentleman. He wrote to the British government to say that while out for a stroll he, “…had discovered the graves of four young Canadians in a small country church yard and could he receive information about them so that he could write and thank their families…”.
F/S. O’Leary was survived by his parents, by three brothers, Edward, with the R.C.A.F. in Newfoundland, Frank of the Governor General’s Foot Guards in Ottawa and Michael at home, and three sisters, Bernice, Margaret and Jean.
DANIEL JOSEPH SOMERS
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 1 January 1914
Date of Death: 28 June 1943
Parents: James and Elizabeth Somers
301 Holmwood Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Wife: Sarah E. Some
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. Patrick’s
Rockland High School
University of Ottawa High School
Background
Daniel was born in Rockland, Ontario. He was on the U of O football team and also played softball. On leaving school he was employed by Siscoe Gold Mines Ltd. as a diamond driller. He moved to Selter & Freeman, also a diamond mine operation, where he rose to be a foreman. Prior to his enlistment he worked as an aircraft inspector with Ottawa Car and Aircraft Company. He left to join the R.C.A.F. in May 1941.
His initial training was at Manning Depot in Toronto. His aircrew training was taken in Ottawa, Victoriaville, Cap de la Madeleine and Moncton where he graduated and was awarded his wings in December 1941. He arrived overseas in February 1942 where he reported to an OTU in England for operational training and was posted to Northern Ireland.
In 1942 he joined 458th Squadron of Bomber Command in the Middle East.
While with that group, he was stranded due to a desert sandstorm and survived after six days of exposure. Later, his aircraft was shot up while attacking destroyer-escorted enemy shipping near Pantelleria, Italy. His last posting was to Malta where he flew with the 69th Squadron of Bomber Command. He was flying in a Wellington bomber when he was killed. He was buried in el Alemein, Egypt.
W/O Somers was survived by his wife, his mother and four brothers, Gerald, who was overseas with the A.S.C.R.U., and Edward with the R.C.A.F. in Pendleton, England, Lawrence with the R.C.M.P. in Montreal and Bernard at home and by five sisters, Evelyn, Marguerite, Theresa, Eileen and Joy, all of Ottawa.
JOSEPH ANTHONY EDWARD VINCENT
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 31 January 1918
Date of Death: 21 September 1942
Parents: Walter M. and Anna Vincent
168 Stewart Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. Joseph’s School
St. Patrick’s College
Background
Joseph was born in Woodstock, Ontario. He was an all-round athlete engaging in football, track, boxing, rowing, skiing and swimming. His first two years of employment was with Consumers Finance as a cashier. He then joined the Massey Harris Company in 1939 until he left to join the Governor General’s Foot Guards in the fall of 1940. He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in January of 1941.
His initial training was taken at Manning Depot in Toronto. His pilot training was taken in Picton, Dunnville, Virden and Dauphin, Manitoba. He was made Sergeant and gained his wings at Dauphin in August 1942. He was sent overseas in November 1941 and reported to an OTU in England for operational training.
He was posted to the Middle East and attached to the 239th Wing of Fighter Command. That group flew American made Kittyhawk fighter planes. While with 239th Wing, he was promoted to Flight Sergeant. He was killed a few months later during flight operations over Egypt.
Sgt. Vincent was survived by his parents, and (still checking).
LEO CHRISTOPHER CLYNE
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 4 July 1918
Date of Death: 17 April 1945
Parents: Edward Richard and Clara Clyne
281 Nicholas Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Wife: Georgina Clyne
Liverpool, England
Education: Elementary School (Quebec)
Background
Leo was born in Holland Mills, Quebec. He was an ardent fisherman and hunter. He liked to swim and he played half back in soccer. After leaving school he farmed for a number of years then he worked for a lumber contractor as a bushman. He left that to join the army in June 1941.
He was first sent for basic army training and then to Cornwall in August 1941 for advanced training. His next posting in October was to CampBorden for gunnery training. He was assigned to the 9th Canadian Armoured Regiment of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (R.C.A.C.) and landed in England on November 14, 1941.
From England, Leo was sent to Italy in February and fought in that theatre of war.
Then he was transferred to the continent and fought through France, Germany and Holland where he died of wounds received in action against the enemy. His grave is in NijmeganCanadianMilitaryCemetery, four miles from Nijmegan.
Trooper Clyne was survived by wife, his parents, and by two brothers, Trooper Dennis Clyne with the 5th Canadian Armoured Brigade and Henry J. Clyne of Holland Mills, and by his sister Georgina Newton.
JOHN REDVERS GORMAN
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 21 April 1905
Date of Death: 1 October 1942
Parents: Thomas Matthew and Margaret Gorman
75 Stewart Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Wife: Violet Marguerite Gorman
45 Sims Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: Junior Matriculation
Background
John was born in Ottawa. No details were available about the schools he attended nor his work experience other than that he was employed as a civil servant. He married his wife, Violet, in 1925 He joined the army in December 1939. His parents were deceased when he enlisted. He was assigned to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) as a clerk with the rank of Private.
He shipped overseas in April 1940 and reported to the Canadian Headquarters – Records Group in England. He was later transferred to Headquarters – 2nd Echelon and promoted to the rank of Corporal. He was confirmed as Sergeant in March 1941. In November 1941 he returned to his original unit the RCASC in England.
He was killed by an underground tube train at Hampstead station in London. He was buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery in Working, Surrey, England.
Sgt. Gorman was survived by his wife and two sons, John age 12 and Richard age 6, and by three sisters, Mrs. Len Borman, Phyllis Gorman and Mrs. Betty Ambridge, and a brother, Gerald Gorman.
LAWRENCE EDWARD WILKS
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 2 July 1922
Date of Death: 18 December 1944
Patents: Leonard C. and Ann Wilks
305 Laurier Ave East
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. Joseph School
Background
Lawrence was born in Ottawa. During his school years his favourite sports were hockey and swimming. On leaving school he farmed in Ottawa and the surrounding district. His hobbies were building radio sets and airplane models. In 1940 he was employed at the Royal Canadian Mint as a machine operator. He left to join the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS) in July 1941.
He took his initial training at LansdownePark. Advanced training was taken in Barriefield. In November 1941 he qualified as a Dispatch Rider with the 4th Division Signals (RCCS) with the rank of Signalman.
His unit was sent overseas to England in October 1942. He was with the 2nd RCCS when it landed in France in July1943. With them, he fought through France and Germany. By 1944 he was back with the 4th Division in Holland when he was accidently killed. His grave is in the Nijmegan Canadian Military Cemetery a few miles out of Nijmegan.
Signalman Wilks was survived by his parents and three brothers.
RICHARD BRADY LONG
Personal Data
Date of Birth: 9 July 1918
Date of Death: 30 April 1941
Parents: Lieutenant & Mrs. A. Gus Long
185 Goulbourn Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Wife: Nora Long
Ottawa, Ontario
Education: St. Joseph School
St. Patrick’s College
Background
Richard was born in Ottawa. After leaving St. Patrick’s at age 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Regiment (R.C.R). In a way he was following in his father’s footsteps. His father was a Lieutenant in the Permanent Force and had been in uniform since World War I. Richard spent three years in Toronto and another three in Ottawa. He was a keen sportsman and was the captain of the Staff Clerk’s army team that won the hockey championship of the National Defence League. He was a member of the Ottawa Ski Club.
Sergeant Long left the Royal Canadian Regiment to join the Corps of Military Clerks.
Sergeant Long volunteered to go overseas as a replacement for a casualty. The British-bound ship he was aboard was sunk as a result of enemy action in the Atlantic. There were 122 persons listed as missing and of those 14 were from the Ottawa area. They were mainly from the army or the government services. Richard was one of them.
Sgt. Long was survived by his wife and one son, Francis (eight months), his parents and three brothers, Harold, a sergeant with the Corps of Military Staff, Edwin, attending St. Joseph School and Gus, attending St. Patrick College, and a sister, Mary, attending St. Joseph School.
