This street is named in memory of Sergeant John Ridley Stokes.
John Ridley Stokes was born in Lucan, ON on 29 January 1923 but moved to London, ON with his family and resided on Oxford Street. He joined the Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) at a young age and remained with them until October 1942 when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After completing his aircrew training as an air gunner, he embarked for England where he was attached to No. 101 Squadron, RAF, based at Ludford Magna. This squadron flew Lancasters fitted with electronic counter-measure equipment that allowed them to jam and intercept enemy radio transmissions.
On the night of 13 September 1944, Sgt. Stokes’ crew were flying a cross-country night training flight from their base to Inverary- Mull of Kintyre and back. At one point during the mission, the aircraft entered a steep dive and broke up before crashing on Conic Hill, near Drymen Scotland. All seven aircrew, including Sergeant Stokes and 3 other RCAF members, were killed. Sergeant John Ridley Stokes is buried at Dumbarton Cemetery in the town of Dumbarton, UK.
