This street is named in memory of Pilot Officer Jens Lawrence Dissing.
Jens Lawrence Dissing was born on 10 August 1923 in London ON. Growing up on Hale Street, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force soon after completing his schooling. He undertook air crew training in Canada and in particular, graduated from course 52 at No.16 Service Flying Training School at Hagersville ON, in July 1942. Upon completing his operational training in England, he was assigned to 415 Squadron RCAF, flying Wellington bombers from North Coates.
In November 1943, the RAF developed a concept to attack German convoys operating at night off the coast of the Netherlands. Known as OP GILBEY, the plan was to use bombers to drop flares close to German convoys thus illuminating the target for follow-on torpedo-equipped aircraft.
At approximately 6:10 PM on 7 February 1944, aircraft from 415 Squadron took off for an OP GILBEY mission. At 8:15 PM, P/O Dissing’s aircraft sent a “nil sighting” report but a mere 10 minutes later sent another message, “Port engine gone”. The aircraft crashed into the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands. There were no survivors. Initially reported missing, P/O Dissing’s body was recovered from the sea in late April 1944 and was buried in Bergen General Cemetery, the Netherlands.
