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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

John Ross Switzer

In memory of:

Sergeant John Ross Switzer

April 9, 1945

Military Service

Service Number:

R/251797

Age:

20

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

10 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

Additional Information

Son of Henry and Wilhelmina Switzer, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Commemorated on Page 568 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
Germany

Grave Reference:

8. D. 12.

Location:

The REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY is located 5 km south west of Kleve. From Kleve the cemetery is located, using the Hoffmannallee from the Town Centre, which becomes the Materbornerallee. This road enters Reichswald Forest and becomes the Grunewaldstrasse. Follow direction Gennep, entering Reichswald Forest the cemetery is situated 500 metres on the left. Alternatively from the motorway 57, take exit Kleve/Goch, which leads onto the 9 N road in the direction towards Kleve. After 3 km turn left on to the 504 direction Kranenburg. Reichswald cemetery is clearly signposted on the 504 at cross roads Grunewald. REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY is situated on the Grunewald Strasse direction Kleve on the right, 3 km from cross roads Grunewald.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Photo of JOHN ROSS SWITZER– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of JOHN ROSS SWITZER
    Photo of JOHN ROSS SWITZER – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of JOHN ROSS SWITZER– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of JOHN ROSS SWITZER
    Photo of JOHN ROSS SWITZER – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Id Card– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Id Card
    Id Card – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Grave marker– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Grave marker
    Grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Grave marker– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Grave marker
    Grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram January 1946. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram January 1946. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of John Ross Switzer– Only Canadian member of his RAF Halifax crew Sgt. John Ross Switzer, flight engineer, 20, son of Mrs. Switzer, 343 Scarboro Rd., and the late Henry Switzer, is officially reported to have been killed when his aircraft crashed at Dusseldorf, Germany, on April 5, 1945. Taking part in a bombing operation over Hamburg, the Halilax was hit and burst into flames after the pilot tried to make a crash landing. Two crew members were later reported safe. The others, including Sgt. Switzer, were killed and are buried Reichswald Forest Cemetery. Toronto born, Sgt. Switzer attended Adam Beck Public School and Malvern Collegiate. He was employed at a brokerage firm prior to his enlistment in April, 1943. After training at Vancouver, Saskatoon, Davidson and St. Thomas, he was posted overseas in July, 1944, and when reported missing had completed 10 operational flights. Besides his mother, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Robert Andrew, and a brother, Henry Elmer Switzer.

    Details

    Photo of John Ross Switzer
    Photo of John Ross Switzer – Only Canadian member of his RAF Halifax crew Sgt. John Ross Switzer, flight engineer, 20, son of Mrs. Switzer, 343 Scarboro Rd., and the late Henry Switzer, is officially reported to have been killed when his aircraft crashed at Dusseldorf, Germany, on April 5, 1945. Taking part in a bombing operation over Hamburg, the Halilax was hit and burst into flames after the pilot tried to make a crash landing. Two crew members were later reported safe. The others, including Sgt. Switzer, were killed and are buried Reichswald Forest Cemetery. Toronto born, Sgt. Switzer attended Adam Beck Public School and Malvern Collegiate. He was employed at a brokerage firm prior to his enlistment in April, 1943. After training at Vancouver, Saskatoon, Davidson and St. Thomas, he was posted overseas in July, 1944, and when reported missing had completed 10 operational flights. Besides his mother, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Robert Andrew, and a brother, Henry Elmer Switzer.
  • Memorial– Sergeant John Ross Switzer is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Sergeant John Ross Switzer is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Sergeant John Ross Switzer is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Sergeant John Ross Switzer 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

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