This street is named in memory of Private Vincent Downes.
Vincent Downes grew up on McNay Street in London ON. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Regiment in 1940 and shortly afterwards joined his Regiment in the UK. Following a long period of training, the RCR landed in Sicily in July 1943 as part of OP HUSKY. They fought throughout the Sicilian Campaign and landed in Reggio di Calabria in September 1943, as part of the Allied invasion of the Italian mainland. The RCR fought in several battles of the Italian campaign including key engagements at the Moro River near Ortona in December 1943. Private Vincent Downes was killed on 9 February 1944 during the weeks of fighting following the Battle for Ortona. He is buried at the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery.
