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World War Two Roll of Honour

Flying Officer Robert Charles Field
28 March 1943
404 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Service Number J/10498
St. Columb Major Cemetery, Cornwall, England. Age 23
Son of Hugh Maynard Field and Ethel Margaret Field, Chilliwack, B.C.

Born in Chilliwack, December 17, 1919, Robert Field was educated at St. Michael's Preparatory School and Brentwood College on Vancouver Island. He graduated from Brentwood in 1938 as Head Boy and was awarded the Yarrow Shield for scholastic and athletic achievement. He then attended Chilliwack High School for one year where his success as an athlete continued. In 1939 he won the senior boy's championship at the Fraser Valley track meet, breaking two records. Apart from track he was an excellent rugby and soccer player and played for the Thunderbirds at the University of British Columbia. After completing his third year in science at U.B.C. he joined the R.C.A.F. in June 1941. Once overseas he flew Beaufighters, as a pilot, with 404 Squadron. On March 28, 1943, upon leaving formation in preparation for landing Robert crashed at St. Eval, Cornwall.

 

Flight Sergeant Harry Kennedy Ford
June 9, 1942
83 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Service Number R/58540
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Age 24
Son of Albert George and Mary Jane Ford, Chilliwack, B.C.

Harry Ford was 24 years old when he was reported missing after an operational flight over enemy territory. He was born and educated in Chilliwack, and, prior to joining the R.C.A.F. in August 1940 he was an employee of Cherry Motors Limited and a member of the Chilliwack Volunteer Fire Brigade. In June 1941 he arrived overseas and began operational flying with 83 Squadron. On June 9, 1942, the aircraft in which Harry served as an air gunner was shot down over Bocholt, Westphalia and crashed at Vardingholt. Other members of the crew killed were Flying Officer J.L. Rowe, Pilot Officers E.A.L. Hardman, B.G. Galloway-Wilson, Sergeants S.H. Wise, C.G. Sherratt and C. O’Neill all of the Royal Air Force.

 

Lance Corporal James A. Forddred
May 24, 1944
Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
Service Number K/47135. Original Unit of Service – Westminster Regiment (M.G.)
Cassino War Cemetery, Italy. Age 23
Son of George and Jean Forddred
Husband of Iris M. Forddred, of Vancouver, B.C.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, James Forddred attended school in Sardis and worked in the logging industry. He served in the militia for three years prior to the war and was the first man to arrive for guard duty at the Princess Street Drill Hall upon Canada's declaration of war. "Jimmy" Forddred enlisted in the Westminster Regiment, but transferred to the Edmonton Fusiliers. In 1943 he went overseas and was killed in action on May 24, 1944 serving with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. Jimmy's marriage, to his wife, was the first wedding of a Chilliwack soldier to be performed following the outbreak of hostilities. At the time of his death their daughter was three years old.

 

Chilliwack Museum and Archives 45820 Spadina Avenue, Chilliwack, BC, Canada V20 1T3 [604.795.5210]