Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star January 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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

Photo of Arthur William Beaver – Rifleman Beaver enlisted in The Queen's Own Rifles in June 1940 when the Regiment was mobilized. He served in C Company in Newfoundland and New Brunswick and then in B Company in England. He was a carrier driver when KIA at Calais.

Gravemarker – Padre Cameron took this photo of Rifleman Beaver's gravemarker at Calais Cemetery in June 1997.

Obituary – This obituary of Rifleman Beaver was obtained from a Toronto newspaper in 1944 by Mrs Josie McQuade.

Group Photo – My grandmother, Myrtle Beaver, was Arthur's sister. This picture is from her collection of photos. Uncle Arthur was born and raised in Alderville First Nation. Here he is (left) with a couple of boys from home - George Blaker (centre) and Alvin Hagar (right) both of whom survived the war. Date of photo is unknown. Not sure if you include pictures of others on this site. I could certainly crop it and resend if needed but I thought it was important to leave the integrity of the photo intact as it reflects the importance of comradely and the inherent bond among the boys from home.

Temporary Grave Marker – My grandmother, Myrtle Beaver, was Arthur's sister. This picture is from her collection of photos. Typewritten on the back of the photo is "Calais Canadian Cemetery Plot 1 Row G Grave 1". Stamped in red is "This is a temporary wooden Cross, which the Imperial War Graves Commission will replace with a permanent Headstone". All of my family members who have passed on are buried in our cemetery at home in Alderivlle First Nation. I imagine it would have been difficult to not only lose a son and brother but to not be able to bring him home. I am concluding that this was a picture that was sent to the family, like so many other families, so they could have some closure.