Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of George Barry Don Smith – SGT. G.B. SMITH (R54178) 15-03-1941

Newspaper Clipping – 17 former members of Britannia Boating Club, now in army and civilian war jobs, organize overseas club at Holborn Restaurant in London, England in Jul 18, 1942. They toasted in memory of 'Billy' Finn, 'Don' Orme, 'Don' Smith and 'Scruffy' McKenna 'who were reported missing while performing their feats of daring in the air against the enemy or passed on in the valiant service of their country'. Ottawa Citizen 1942. Note 1: The names of the Club members toasted and two others who attended the meeting and were later KIA follow: Sergeant Martin Willard Finn, Royal Canadian Air Force, died on October 10, 1942. Pilot Officer Frank Kerr Orme, Royal Canadian Air Force Division: 21 (R.A.F.) Sqdn died on August 28, 1941. Sergeant George Barry Don Smith, Royal Canadian Air Force 9 (R.A.F.) Sqdn died on August 13, 1941. Flight Lieutenant Donald Joseph McKenna, pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force 403 Sqdn. died on September 8, 1941. Capt Cecil Charles Storr Royal Canadian Artillery, 2 Anti-Tank Regt died on August 26, 1944. Captain Percy Royston Gilman, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps Division: attd. H.Q. 9th Cdn. Inf. Bde died on June 10, 1944 Note 2. Britannia Boating Club was later renamed the Britannia Yacht Club (2777 Cassels Street Ottawa K2B 6N6) http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jY4zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3tsFAAAAIBAJ&dq=britannia%20boating%20club&pg=6158%2C3059069

Memorial – Sergeant George Barry Don Smith is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Newspaper Clipping – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memrorial – In 1949, the Britannia Boating Club Memorial Park Association was formed to honour Club members killed overseas. An acre of land was purchased at Baskin's Beach on the Ottawa River (45 28 46.6 76 00 25.7). A cairn and flagpole was erected and a brass plaque honouring fallen members was attached to the plaque. The brass plaque states 'the Britannia Boating Club honours its members who gave their lives in his majesty's service during World War I 1914-1918 and World War II 1939-1945.' Landscaping was added in 1997. The Britannia Boating Club was renamed the Britannia Yacht Club (BYC). The Britannia Yacht Club (2777 Cassels Street Ottawa K2B 6N6)maintains the memorial park and cairn. The memorial park remains a popular camping area for Club members.

Memorial – Sergeant George Barry Don Smith is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Inscription – In 1949, the Britannia Boating Club Memorial Park Association was formed to honour Club members killed overseas. An acre of land was purchased at Baskin's Beach on the Ottawa River (45 28 46.6 76 00 25.7). A cairn and flagpole was erected and a brass plaque honouring fallen members was attached to the plaque. The brass plaque states 'the Britannia Boating Club honours its members who gave their lives in his majesty's service during World War I 1914-1918 and World War II 1939-1945.' Landscaping was added in 1997. The Britannia Boating Club was renamed the Britannia Yacht Club (BYC). The Britannia Yacht Club (2777 Cassels Street Ottawa K2B 6N6)maintains the memorial park and cairn. The memorial park remains a popular camping area for Club members.

Grave marker – Becklingen War Cemetery … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens