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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Edward Robert Burns

In memory of:

Pilot Officer Edward Robert Burns

February 26, 1944

Military Service

Service Number:

C/86271

Age:

23

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

102 Sqdn.

Additional Information

Son of William G. and Lorena S. Burns, of Port Credit, Ontario, Canada.

Commemorated on Page 263 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Surrey, United Kingdom

Grave Reference:

Panel 249.

Location:

During the Second World War more than 116,000 men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth gave their lives in service. More than 17,000 of these were members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, or Canadians serving with the Royal Air Force. Approximately one-third of all who died have no known grave. Of these, 20,450 are commemorated by name on the Runnymede Memorial, which is situated at Englefield Green, near Egham, 32 kilometers by road west of London.

The design of the Runnymede Memorial is original and striking. On the crest of Cooper's Hill, overlooking the Thames, a square tower dominates a cloister, in the centre of which rests the Stone of Remembrance. The cloistered walks terminate in two lookouts, one facing towards Windsor, and the other towards London Airport at Heathrow. The names of the dead are inscribed on the stone reveals of the narrow windows in the cloisters and the lookouts. They include those of 3,050 Canadian airmen. Above the three-arched entrance to the cloister is a great stone eagle with the Royal Air Force motto, Per Ardua ad Astra". On each side is the inscription:

IN THIS CLOISTER ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF TWENTY THOUSAND AIRMEN WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE. THEY DIED FOR FREEDOM IN RAID AND SORTIE OVER THE BRITISH ISLES AND THE LANDS AND SEAS OF NORTHERN AND WESTERN EUROPE

In the tower a vaulted shrine, which provides a quiet place for contemplation, contains illuminated verses by Paul H. Scott."

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Memorial– The Soldiers' Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower's base. In total, almost 1,200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers' Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – The Soldiers' Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower's base. In total, almost 1,200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers' Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Arch West– The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers' Tower in 1949. The name of "P/O E.R. BURNS R.C.A.F." is among the names inscribed.

    Details

    Memorial Arch West
    Memorial Arch West – The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers' Tower in 1949. The name of "P/O E.R. BURNS R.C.A.F." is among the names inscribed.
  • Memorial Room– Soldiers' Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Memorial Room
    Memorial Room – Soldiers' Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Book– University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Edited by H. E. Brown, published by the Soldiers' Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 9 reads: " P/O Edward Robert Burns RCAF- 102 Sqn RAF. Former student of Trinity College, 1939-40. Missing, presumed dead, after air operations over Germany, 26 February 1944. Name inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial, Cooper's Hill, Egham, Surrey, England."

    Details

    Memorial Book
    Memorial Book – University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Edited by H. E. Brown, published by the Soldiers' Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 9 reads: " P/O Edward Robert Burns RCAF- 102 Sqn RAF. Former student of Trinity College, 1939-40. Missing, presumed dead, after air operations over Germany, 26 February 1944. Name inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial, Cooper's Hill, Egham, Surrey, England."
  • Memorial Stele– This stone stele is located in the chapel at Trinity College in the University of Toronto. "AS DYING AND BEHOLD WE LIVE. TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THIS COLLEGE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE TWO GREAT WARS." The name of "E.R. BURNS" is among those inscribed.

    Details

    Memorial Stele
    Memorial Stele – This stone stele is located in the chapel at Trinity College in the University of Toronto. "AS DYING AND BEHOLD WE LIVE. TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THIS COLLEGE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE TWO GREAT WARS." The name of "E.R. BURNS" is among those inscribed.
  • Memorial Scroll– This framed illuminated scroll, written in calligraphy, is entitled "Men and Women of Trinity College on Active Service. Met'Agona Stephanos". It hangs in the hallway outside the narthex of the chapel at Trinity College in the University of Toronto. The scroll shows icons to indicate men and women who are fallen, decorated, and prisoner of war. The list of names includes: '43 Burns, E.R. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

    Details

    Memorial Scroll
    Memorial Scroll – This framed illuminated scroll, written in calligraphy, is entitled "Men and Women of Trinity College on Active Service. Met'Agona Stephanos". It hangs in the hallway outside the narthex of the chapel at Trinity College in the University of Toronto. The scroll shows icons to indicate men and women who are fallen, decorated, and prisoner of war. The list of names includes: '43 Burns, E.R. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Edward Robert Burns is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Pilot Officer Edward Robert Burns is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Edward Robert Burns is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Pilot Officer Edward Robert Burns is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Photo of EDWARD ROBERT BURNS– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of EDWARD ROBERT BURNS
    Photo of EDWARD ROBERT BURNS – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of EDWARD ROBERT BURNS– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of EDWARD ROBERT BURNS
    Photo of EDWARD ROBERT BURNS – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Other– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Other
    Other – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Other– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Other
    Other – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star March 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star March 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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