This street commemorates Pivate Ferdinand Riendeau, a First World War combat veteran, and his son, Guardsman Ferdinand Paul-Emile Riendeau, who followed in his father’s footsteps and served overseas in the Second World War.
Private Ferdinand Riendeau was born in June 1883 in Montreal where he was employed as a barber. He eventually made his way to Sault St. Marie where he joined the 227th Battalion in May 1916. After training in Canada, he embarked for overseas duty with his Battalion in April 1917, but upon arrival in England, he was assigned to the 58th Battalion. Pte Riendeau fought in all major battles to the end of the war including the “Hundred Days Offensive” that lasted from Aug to Nov 1918. He was demobilized in April 1919 and upon returning to Canada, settled in Ottawa. He died in 1950.
His only son Ferdinand Paul-Emile Riendeau followed in his father's footsteps and served in the Second World War. Guardsman Ferdinand Paul-Emile Riendeau was born in Ottawa in 1920 and attended the Guigue School and the Ottawa Technical High School. He enlisted with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa where he became a Sergeant Instructor. He then joined the Armoured Corps and served with the Governor General’s Foot Guards as a Gunner Operator in Northwest Europe. Guardsman Riendeau was “Mentioned in Dispatches” in recognition of his distinguished service and also received the 1939-45 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the 1939-45 War Medal. Upon returning to Canada, he joined the Ottawa Fire Department and retired as a Sergeant. He died in 1975.
