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Veterans’ Memorial Banners

Every November, remember the brave individuals who served our country with unwavering dedication and sacrifice.

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Veterans’
Memorial Banners

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the guns fell silent, marking the end of the First World War. The centenary of this historic event is being commemorated through numerous events across Canada and the world. Communities, both small and big, make special efforts to mark the anniversary.

Westboro Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) is proud to sponsor the Veterans Memorial Banners program for Royal Canadian Legion Branch 480, which is a cherished institution located at the corner of Richmond Road and Winston Avenue. This program is a heartfelt tribute to all veterans, paying homage to the brave individuals who served our country with unwavering dedication and sacrifice. The Veterans Memorial Banners are installed on posts along Richmond Road for the month of November.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 480, originally established in 1948 as Nepean Branch 480, has been a cornerstone of the community, offering veterans and their families a home away from home. Today, it continues its mission of supporting veterans, promoting remembrance, and serving the broader community through various initiatives. The families provided the following information about the Veteran they honoured.

Alexander Hollis

Feb 15, 1893-Oct 6, 1968
W.W.1 (1914-1920) – Argyle Southern Highlanders (Scotland)
1917 – Was Buried Alive in a shell explosion
1918 – Prisoner of War
W.W.2 (1941-1944) – Royal Canadian Ordnance Corp (Ottawa)
Alexander Hollis served his country with Pride, Honour and Courage.  Despite the intense trauma he suffered in W.W.1,  he enlisted without hesitation, to serve his country for a second time in W.W.2.
His proud grandchildren, Sandra St. George, Garry Hill, Marilyn Heals and Connie Larocque are grateful for the opportunity to honour this courageous man with a Veterans Memorial Banner.  ‘He will always be our Hero”

From the family of Pte. Scrivens:
Private Scrivens was the last of 4 brothers to serve in the military. “Alf,” as he was more commonly known enlisted immediately upon learning of his older brother Sheldon’s death. He was very close to Sheldon and had lied about his age in order to enlist.

My dad was a very quiet man and never spoke of his service, as he felt he hadn’t done much in comparison to those who had seen combat because by the time he had arrived in Europe the conflict was over; and, while he served during the war crimes hearings in the Netherlands he never felt that he had done enough to be recognized as a vet.

Sometime in the 80’s my dad announced that he had purchased a motorhome and wanted my family to accompany him and mom to Camp Aldershot in Nova Scotia where he had completed his basic training. It was during this trip that he opened up about his motivations, feelings and experiences in the service.

I wish now to briefly relate one such story: Alf was madly in love with his bride-to-be, Maxine, and decided to go back by train to Ottawa to visit her while on a 3-day leave from Camp Aldershot. Needless to say, 3 days was not enough time to travel to Ottawa and back and Alf was picked up by the MPs as absent without leave and as punishment, ended up cleaning the parade square at Aldershot with a toothbrush before sunrise and into the evening.

I’ll end now as my dad did his service letters to my mom with, “Oceans of love and a kiss on every wave.”

Born on June 7, 1924 to Parents Richard and Una Welsh.
He had 2 Children and 2 Grandchildren.
Noreen Welsh-Crack is proud to say that she is his 2nd Child.
He was 1 of 47 survivors of the Canadian Corvette HMCS Louisburg K143 sinking in the Mediterranean Sea in February 1943.
It was attacked by dive bombers and torpedo planes and went down in 4-5 minutes.
Noreen’s Dad died June of 1994.

Sue (Baker) Cooper stated:  

Joe and his twin sister Patricia were the first set of twins born at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa on March 14th, 1923.  Their parents were Veronica (O’Meara) and Andrew Baker.  Joe attended St. Theresa’s School, then St. Pat’s College and loved playing on sports teams.  He was employed for some time with the Department of External Affairs before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II on August 8th, 1941.  He trained in Toronto, Guelph, Camp Borden and graduated in Paulson, Manitoba following which he received his Operational Training in Debert, Nova Scotia.  He trained as a Wireless Gunner and completed two tours of duty as a Rear Air Gunner with the RCAF and then the RAF in the United Kingdom before being discharged on July 15, 1955, as a Warrant Officer 1.  He was a member of Squadrons 269, 281, and 282.  He survived being shot down five times!  He and his wife Doris (Doyle) raised four children, and now have 3 very proud Grandchildren and four Great Grandchildren.  Joe went on to achieve his Stationary Engineer 2nd Class and worked in various locations until his passing in Ottawa on July 25, 1983.

He loved to entertain by playing the piano, singing and telling funny tales in true Irish spirit.  He was a loyal friend to all, always keen to lend a helping hand especially if anyone was the underdog. During his two tours of duty, he would request many things from home and gladly share extras with his comrades - mostly cigarettes & socks!  His many letters home were never dull, and always entertaining.  He was a great cook – made the best baloney sandwiches ever and gave the biggest bear hugs!  He loved the great outdoors to hunt, fish, and enjoy life and the people around him. 

Our Family and those who knew him will never forget his fierce determination to help win a war so future generations could live a better life.  We are very proud to be able to honour his memory by displaying his Veterans Banner with the help of the Westboro Legion 480 and the Westboro BIA.

Excerpt taken from The Toronto Star – May 9th, 1945.
19, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was killed in action on the western front. April 20, his parents, Mr and Mrs. Charles Simpson, Highfield Rd have been informed. Enlisting in the Toronto Scottish regiment two years ago, Pte. Simpson transferred to the 1st Midland regiment, and was stationed at Prince Rupert and Prince George before going overseas last October, where he transferred to the Argylls. Born in Toronto, he attended Roden school and was employed by the Acme Ruler and Advertising Co. Surviving besides his parents are brothers, James in Belgium; Charlie, George and Frank, and five sisters, Kathleen, [unclear], Hazel, Gladys and Evelyn. He was a member of Rhodes Avenue United Church.

Patricia Marrs expressed: 

My father Lorne Vincent Ryan was from Old Chelsea, Quebec. He grew up on a farm with seven brothers. Five of the seven brothers were in the Second World War. My dad was the only one to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy, while the rest were in the Army. He tried to join the army but was refused due to medical reasons. He went to the Navy, and they accepted him. He told us they took anyone and he was 17.   

I am one of the seven children in my family. I saw the banners in other cities and wanted them on display in Westboro. I grew up on Remic Avenue in Westboro.
I appreciate the Westboro BIA with the installation of the banners. Also, the support of the Royal Canadian Legion Westboro branch. My family will be very proud to see the banner of our dear father on display. We will remember them.

Martin grew up in a blue-collar family in Ottawa – the only boy in the family. Martin finished high school in 1939. A year shy of 18 he got his parents’ signed permission to join the RCAF. Martin became a Flight Sergeant serving as a wireless, gunner and navigator on the bombers. He was anxious to fight the enemy. However, his superiors were impressed with his skill to teach air crew. Martin remained in Ontario teaching hundreds of recruits. He made many friends and lost many. In 1943 Martin met Lorretta, his beloved wife, at a Toronto dance hall where people briefly forgot about the war. Toward the end of the war, he volunteered for a strike force to bomb Japan as part of Operation Downfall…it was likely he would lose his life. He told his kids that if Japan had not surrendered, they probably would not have been born. These were glorious, happy and sad memories that stayed with him. He would gladly share stories…only if you asked him. His service during the war shaped his life forever…he stayed in the RCAF and served Canada for 37 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel.

Born on May 18, 1893 to parents Edward and Elizabeth Welsh.

He had 6 Children and 14 Grandchildren.

He fought at Passchindacle where he was wounded and lost his right leg to machine gun wounds and sharapnel.

He layed out in a shell hole for two days where gas gangrene developed.

His leg was amputated 3 days later. 

He recovered in hospitals in France, England and finally, Canada in 1919 when he was discharged.

Pop died on November 13, 1979.

Bob “Cookie” Cook was born September 1st, 1941 in Reading, England, arriving in Canada in July 1946.  He joined the RCASC in 1959, serving in Germany, Gagetown, London, Cyprus, Vietnam, Queen Charlotte Islands and Ottawa.  Bob was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal in 1992 and won the Deserving Serviceman of the Year Award in 1994.  In September 1996, Bob retired from the military with over 37 years of service.  After “retirement” he worked as a Commissionaire and as a school bus driver and his leisure time was spent with his wife Ann, relaxing, camping and travelling.  Through it all, Bob volunteered at the Perley Vet’s (50 yrs), Beaver Barracks Sgts Mess (Life Member), and (Ottawa) Westboro Branch 480 Legion (Life Member and Meritorious Service Award Recipient, 2011), before he passed away on December 29th, 2018.

Staff Sgt. Sheldon Edward Scrivens, born in 1915, was the son of Mr. & Mrs. S. J. Scrivens of Ottawa. He was one of 13 siblings, four of whom served in the Canadian army (S-Sgt. Lloyd T., Pte. Grant A., and Pte. Alfred H.).

Staff Sgt. Scrivens volunteered for service in 1941. While serving with the P.L.D.G. on the Gothic Line, he was killed in action in 1944 in Italy, at the age of 28. Sheldon had been twice wounded since going to Italy and his remains were interred in Montecchio War cemetery in Italy.

Stan Scott’s daughter, Hilda Murphy expressed: 

My father, Stan Scott, was born and raised in Corkery, a small farming area outside of Almonte, Ontario. He enlisted prewar on February 14, 1939.   He was very proud to serve his country in the Royal Canadian Air Force, accepting numerous postings in cities across Canada. He retired with the rank of Flight Lieutenant on August 12, 1964.  

Having this memorial banner of my dad on display on the streets in Westboro continually reminds me not only of the sacrifices he made for his family but of the freedoms we consequently now have to enjoy in our wonderful country “Canada”.  

Thank you to the Westboro Legion and Westboro BIA for making this happen.  

Walter Henry Egan was born on April 24, 1920 in Hermon, New York. His family moved to Gatineau Mills, Quebec where Walter lived and worked before enlisting in the R.C.A.F. as an Airman, Special Reserve, on June 16, 1941.

He trained in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario for 3 years to obtain his flying hours as a pilot and then applied for overseas in August 1943. During his training, Walter married Mabel Bradley on June 14,1943 in Belleville, Ontario.

According to family records, he wanted to be a pilot (there is a sketch of a plane he drew in the family album) and from his application to the R.C.A.F. he wrote his hobbies as sketching and building model airplanes. He also loved tennis,  swimming, and skiing in his spare time.

On November 27, 1944, Walter died of injuries sustained in an air operation near
Brussels, Belgium at the age of 24. He is buried in Brussels Town Cemetery in Brussels, Belgium. He was awarded the Operational Wings of the Royal  Canadian Air Force posthumously on November 12, 1946.

We will remember them.

Fred Eijgenstein was born in Padang, but lived in Djokjakarta when the war broke out.  His father was in several camps and ended up in Tjihapit, while his mother and sisters were in Banju Biru.  Fred was in Banju Biru, Salatiga and finally in the 15th Bat. – or Tjikudapateuh – in Bandung.  When the war was over the family reunited; however, Fred was drafted into the army.  He later enlisted, signing up in the office of the camp where he had spent part of the war: 15th Bat. in Bandung.  He returned to the Netherlands in 1950, where he married Alie in 1955.  Early in 1957, Fred emigrated to Canada, and Alie followed in October of the same year with their two daughters.  They settled in Ottawa and later added two boys to their family.  Fred passed away in 2006.

William (Bill) Murphy was born and raised in Mount Forest Ontario, October 4th, 1917.  He attended St Michael’s College in Toronto and was an avid hockey player.  Bill volunteered for service in 1939, joined the RCAF and served two operational tours in Bomber Command over Europe, serving for the duration.  During the war he was a bombardier/navigator.
  
After the war he married in 1947 and began to raise our family as a miller in Newbury Ontario. After leaving the milling business he rejoined the RCAF and served across the country manning the DEW Line until retirement in 1967.  Following retirement from the RCAF Bill joined External Affairs and travelled the world working in Canadian embassies.  He was 52 when he realized an old goal.  He had always wanted to be a pilot but was unable to achieve this during the war.  He enrolled at an Ottawa Flying club where he earned his private pilots license.
  
Bill died at 76 in Ottawa in 1993.
The families of the following veterans are immensely proud to see their loved one honoured in the Veterans Memorial Banner project.
  • Archibald Wellington Cardiff
  • Frank Henry Carron
  • George Warne
  • Harold Morrow
  • I.W. Buck
  • John Duncan Cardiff
  • Joseph Alphonse Bertrand Cyr