Southcott Court is named in memory of Pilot Officer Ward Rex Southcott
Ward Rex Southcott was born on 15 May 1915 in London ON. He was educated at Tecumseh Avenue Public School and H. B. Beal Technical High School and entered the work force before joining the military soon after the start of the Second World War. Assigned to the Canadian Postal Corps, he rose to the rank of Sergeant before requesting a transfer to the Royal Canadian Air Force in February 1943. After completing his aircrew training as a wireless operator-air gunner, in early November 1944 he became a member of No. 50 Squadron, RAF flying Lancaster bombers from Skellingthorpe airfield, west of Lincoln.
On the evening of 21 February 1945, his 7-man crew took off for their 16th operation. Joining almost 180 Lancasters and Mosquitos, their mission was to attack the Mittelland Canal near Gravenhorst, Germany. After successfully delivering its bombload, Southcott’s plane was hit by anti-aircraft gunfire but managed to continue on its return flight. However, 45 minutes later, the bomber was attacked by a German fighter and burst into flames as it approached Deurne, The Netherlands. Crashing neer Helenaveen, only one crewmember survived.
Pilot Officer Ward Rex Southcott is buried at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.
