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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Robert Burns Ridley

In memory of:

Pilot Officer Robert Burns Ridley

April 28, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

J/85631

Age:

21

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

166 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

Additional Information


Son of Arthur Pierre Ridley and Annie Florence Ridley, of Port Credit, Ontario.

Commemorated on Page 427 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

Grave 112.

Location:

Vevey is a town on the Northern shore of the Lake of Geneva, close to the eastern end of the Lake. The VEVEY (ST. MARTIN'S) CEMETERY is in the northern part of the town, the British plots being at the highest point of the cemetery.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of ROBERT BURNS RIDLEY– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Cemetery– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Cemetery– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Cemetery– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Attestation paper– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Cenotaph at St Marys
  • Bronze Plaque– St Marys Town Hall
  • 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 Arch– 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 “P/O R. B. RIDLEY R.C.A.F.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Room– Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Victoria College WWII Plaque– This outdoor plaque is located at Victoria College, part of  Victoria University in the University of Toronto. “They were valiant in life and triumphant in death. (Victoria University Crest with motto: Abeunt studia in mores). Erected to the memory of the students of this college who gave their lives in the Great War 1939-1945. This tablet was erected by the Board of Regents and Dedicated October 13th, 1953”. Among the 79 names inscribed is that of: “Robert Burns Ridley”.  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 58 reads: “P/O Robert Burns RIDLEY  RCAF, 166 Sqn RAF. Former student in Victoria College, 1940-41. Killed in a crash in Switzerland after a raid on Fredrichshafen, Germany, 28 April 1944. Buried in St. Martin's Cemetery, Vevey, Switzerland.”
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Robert Burns Ridley is 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
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Robert Burns Ridley is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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