Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Newspaper clipping – From the Hamilton Spectator c. 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – It is noted that his wife died in the same incident. Research has indicated that they perished in German bombing raid on the city of East Grinstead. Details: During the War, a German bombing run had targeted the town and a bomb hit the Whitehall Cinema where the city’s school children were watching a film,[28] killing 108 and injuring 235.[29] The town was devastated; almost everyone in the town knew someone who lost or had a child injured. As such, the townspeople became very supportive of the patients at the Queen Victoria Hospital.[29] Even though many of the victims were horribly disfigured (often missing limbs, and in the worst cases faces, their faces made up of burn tissue), the townspeople would go out of their way to make the men feel normal.[29] Families invited the men to dinner, and girls asked them to go on dates. Patients of the burn units remember, and cherish, the charity received from the townspeople of East Grinstead.[29] -Source Wikipedia Additional information: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/2362666.print/

Death Certificate – Confirmation of death in air raid - source Archives of Ontario; Series: MS944; Reel: 3.

Soldiers' Tower 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 1200 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 Room – Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of 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 “Capt R. W. HARCOURT R.C.A.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

Memorial Book – University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 27 reads: “Capt Robert Wesley HARCOURT RCHA. University College, BA 1934. Killed during an air raid over London, England, 9 July 1943. Buried in the Chislehurt and Sidcup Cemetery, Chislehurt, North Kent, England.”

Roll of honour – Image from Torontonensis, University of Toronto's yearbook in 1934 shows Harcourt as member of Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.

Biography – Photograph from Torontonensis, University of Toronto's Yearbook in 1934 shows Harcourt's interests and extracurricular activities.