Ontario

This street is named in memory of Pilot Officer Jens Lawrence Dissing.

Jens Lawrence Dissing was born on 10 August 1923 in London ON. Growing up on Hale Street, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force soon after completing his schooling. He undertook air crew training in Canada and in particular, graduated from course 52 at No.16 Service Flying Training School at Hagersville ON, in July 1942. Upon completing his operational training in England, he was assigned to 415 Squadron RCAF, flying Wellington bombers from North Coates.

In November 1943, the RAF developed a concept to attack German convoys operating at night off the coast of the Netherlands. Known as OP GILBEY, the plan was to use bombers to drop flares close to German convoys thus illuminating the target for follow-on torpedo-equipped aircraft.

At approximately 6:10 PM on 7 February 1944, aircraft from 415 Squadron took off for an OP GILBEY mission. At 8:15 PM, P/O Dissing’s aircraft sent a “nil sighting” report but a mere 10 minutes later sent another message, “Port engine gone”. The aircraft crashed into the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands. There were no survivors. Initially reported missing, P/O Dissing’s body was recovered from the sea in late April 1944 and was buried in Bergen General Cemetery, the Netherlands.

This street is named in memory of Flight Cadet William Henry Couldridge

William Henry Couldridge was born in London ON on 9 May 1933. He attended Sir Adam Beck Collegiate and later Medway High School in Arva ON, just north of London, before entering the work force. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on 4 February 1955 and was assigned to RCAF Station Centralia, about 40 km north of London. On 2 April 1955, while on a routine training flight with Flying Officer John Allen Smith, their T-33 “Silver Star” of 420 Squadron, developed problems and crashed at the former Fairmont Golf Course in London ON. (in the area of Clarke and Gore roads). Both men lost their lives. Flight Cadet William Henry Couldridge is buried in St. John’s Anglican Cemetery, Arva ON.

This street is named in memory of Lieutenant William James Robert Fogerty

William James Robert Fogerty was born and educated in Dublin, Ireland. In 1929, he emigrated to Canada with his parents, settling in Toronto where he obtained a position with the Imperial Life Assurance Company and served with the Queen’s Own Rifles. A number of years later, his work required that he transfer to London ON.

Enlisting in the fall of 1942, he went on to complete his military training at the Canadian Army Officers Training Centre in Belleville ON before embarking for the UK in September 1943. Once in England, he was assigned to the Essex Scottish Regiment who had been decimated the year before during the Dieppe Raid. The following months saw the Regiment (part of the 2^nd Division) train in preparation for the D-Day invasion of June 1944. However crowding in the Normandy bridgehead delayed the move of the Division to France to the 7^th July. With Caen falling on 19 July, the Canadians pushed forward to take Verrières Ridge, the dominant geographical feature between Caen and Falaise. Known as OP ATLANTIC, it is during this fighting that Lieutenant William James Robert Fogerty was killed near St. Martin-de-Fontenay. He died on 22 July 1944 and is buried in the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery.

This street is named in memory of Trooper Eric James Shepherd

 Eric James Shepherd resided on Sanders Street in London ON before joining the 1^st Hussars (6^th Canadian Armoured Regiment) in 1943. He joined his Regiment in England where he trained numerous months in preparation for the D-Day landings. The 1^st Hussars were among the first units to arrive in Normandy, landing at Courseulles-sur-Mer in the early hours of 6 June 1944. After clearing this town, the Regiment made its way inland and by 9 June they were in Putot-en-Bessin. A few days later, The 1^st Hussars led the ill-fated attack on Le Mesnil-Patry. Suffering enormous losses, the Regiment was removed from the front lines but returned to action on 8 July in the capture of Cussy and Ardenne Abbey (OP CHARNWOOD). On 18 July, the 1^st Hussars took part in OP GOODWOOD and a week later OP SPRING whose objective was the capture of Verrieres Ridge. It is during this attack that Trooper Shepherd was killed on 25 July 1944. With no known grave, he is memorialized on the Bayeux Memorial.

This street is named in memory of Corporal Andrew Elliot Simpson.

Andrew Elliot Simpson was born on 21 March 1923 in London ON. He attended Sir Adam Beck Collegiate and enlisted soon after completing his education. Assigned to the Perth Regiment, he embarked for Italy with his Regiment in October 1943. By mid-January 1944, the Perth Regiment, as part of the 11^th Brigade, was passing through the rubble-filled streets of Ortona to establish positions just west of the village of Torre Mucchia. A few days later, the Brigade launched an attack to cross the Riccio River and capture the Fendo Ridge beyond. Placed in reserve after this action, the Brigade returned to the line on 21-22 January, immediately north-east of Orsogna. The following weeks saw the Canadians concentrate their efforts on patrolling and it was during this period that Corporal Simpson was killed on 5 February 1944. “B” Company, Perth Regiment were queuing for their evening meal in a ravine when a stray German mortar round landed amongst the soldiers. Fourteen were immediately killed, among them Corporal Simpson. Andrew Elliot Simpson was buried at the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery.

This street is named in memory of Private Cecil Daniel McNeil.

Cecil Daniel McNeil was born in London ON and resided on Richmond Street, with his wife, before joining the military in 1942. Enlisting in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC), he was assigned to the newly formed No. 10 Canadian General Hospital, a 1200 bed facility located in Leavesden next to Watford, England. This unit remained in the UK until the D-Day invasion.

The initial plan had the general hospitals being transported to France soon after the invasion however crowding in the bridgehead delayed the move of these hospitals almost a month. By 26 July, No. 10 Canadian General Hospital was established and operational in Bayeux, France. They remained there until October 1944 when No. 10 Canadian General Hospital  was moved from Bayeux to Turnhout, Belgium, about 6km from the Dutch border. The hospital operated from this location until VE Day (8 May 1945) and remained open in Turnhout until it was disbanded in September.

It was during the latter period that Private McNeil died on 9 August 1945, when he drowned in an area previously flooded by the retreating German army. He is buried at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands.

This street is named in memory of Private George Edward Dowell.

George Edward Dowell was born on 11 October 1911 in Westville NS. He moved to London ON with his family in 1928, settling on Euclid Avenue. After completing his schooling, he worked at Hobbs Glass Company and served with the Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) before joining the Royal Canadian Regiment on 7 January 1940.

Private Dowell sailed for England in May 1940 and on 13 June, embarked for Brest France with his Regiment as part of the 1^st Canadian Division. The Division, as part of the 2^nd British Expeditionary Force was to defend the Britanny Peninsula from further German incursion on French territory. However, the situation was chaotic and orders were issued on 14 June, reversing the movements. The RCR, who had travelled by train to Laval returned to Brest and were back in the UK by 17 June.

Once back in the UK, evolving defensive plans had the Canadians moving from Aldershot to Oxford and then Surrey. As part of the latter move, the RCR found themselves near Charlwood and on 25 August 1940, the area became the target of a German air raid. Private Dowell was killed instantly when a bomb  fell on the RCR’s bivouac area. He is buried at the Brookwood Military Cemetery, UK.

This street is named in memory of Private Frederick Scott Davidson.

Frederick Scott Davidson was born in 1907, most likely in the area of Zurich ON, about 70km northwest of London ON. Little is known about his personal life or his military career. Private Frederick Scott Davidson died on 15 December 1945 at the age of 38, while on active service in Canada with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and is buried at the Exeter (ON) Cemetery.

(Note: Little is known about this individual. However, given that he is buried in Exeter ON, about 7km north of Centralia, it is quite possible that he was serving at the Centralia military medical clinic at the time of his death. The Centralia airfield was a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan- BCATP- site that continued to be used until January 1946, after “Victory Europe” Day in May 1945 and the surrender of Japan in September 1945.)

This street is named in memory of Private Robert James Henry Reardon.

Robert James Henry Reardon was born on 29 October 1919 in London ON. Growing up on Hamilton Road, he attended Sir Adam Beck Collegiate as well as Central Collegiate. He enlisted early at the start of the Second World War and was assigned to the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. He had completed his basic military course and was at A10 Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Camp Borden when he drowned on 6 June 1941, as the result of a training accident. Private Reardon is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in London ON.

This street is named in memory of Flight Sergeant Jack Askew Parkinson.

Jack Askew Parkinson was born on 21 July 1920 in London ON. Growing up on Dorinda Street, he attended Boyle Memorial Public School and Sir Adam Beck High School. He enlisted on 24 February 1941 and was assigned to No. 1 Manning Depot in Toronto in April. He was transferred to No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School Jarvis ON, for non-flying duty, in May 1941 and then proceeded to No. 3 Initial Training School Victoriaville QC, in June. Following completion of this course, Jack Parkinson continued his training at No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School Stanley NS and No. 8 Service Flying Training School Moncton NB. He obtained his “wings” in December 1941 and was promoted to Sergeant. He embarked for overseas in February 1942 and was assigned to No. 1 Flying Instructors School at RAF Station Church Lawford, Warwickshire.

On 12 July 1942, Flight Sergeant Parkinson was practicing “engine out” approaches at the Warwick Airfield when during one approach, he did not reach sufficient altitude on the overshoot and crashed. He is buried next to family members in the Lancaster (Skerton) Cemetery, Lancashire UK.