Castle was born in Stouffville in 1922 as William Arthur Aceti, and was the son of John (formerly Giovanni Aceti) and Nellie (Richardson) Castle. After enlisting at 19 years old, Castle worked as a Cabin Boy in the Canadian Merchant Navy onboard the S.S. Bold Venture (Panama). Unfortunately, the S.S. Bold Venture was struck by a torpedo near Iceland on October 16, 1941, and Castle was lost with the sinking of the American freighter en route to England to serve in the Navy, and his body was never recovered. Castle is memorialized on the Halifax Memorial, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which is a memorial dedicated to the commemoration of Canadian sailors, merchant seamen, soldiers and nursing sisters who lost their lives at sea, also bearing the names of men of the Canadian Army stationed in Canada who have no known grave.

Boyd was born in Markham Township on February 7, 1915 and was the son of David and Sarah B. (Todd) Boyd. Boyd signed his attestation paper in Toronto on January 8, 1941. Before attestation he worked as a farmer and electrician in Bolton, Ontario while living in Stouffville. After a childhood spent in School Cadets, Boyd served as a Warrant Officer Class II in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was part of the 57^th Squadron. After enlisting, he took part in many operations and flew Wellington bombers and, later, operated Lancasters. On November 9, 1942 Boyd was reported as killed in action in Germany after having been reported as missing approximately six weeks earlier. Boyd was regarded as a “good responsible airman with leadership qualities” by his Commanding Officer. He is buried in Becklingen War Cemetery in Soltau, Lower Saxony, Germany, and is memorialized on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, Alberta and included on his parents’ headstone in First Markham Baptist Cemetery in Markham, Ontario.

Brown was born in Toronto on August 18, 1922, and was the son of Norman Hawthorne and Erma Gertrude (Acey) Brown. Brown enlisted on October 2, 1942, and was living in Gormley at the time. Before enlisting, He worked on the Brown Family farm for seven years before enlisting and was also known to do a limited amount of blacksmith work. Brown served in the Army as a Sargeant of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada and was declared killed in action on the Western European Theatre of War on March 1, 1945. He is buried in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, Gelderland, Netherlands.

Cawthron was born in Blackpool, England, on January 26, 1910, and was the orphan of Anna Maria Cawthron and a deceased father. He came to Canada via the Fegan Homes in 1925 and the age of 15. Fegan Homes an organization that placed boys with families in rural Ontario as farm labourers. This program was part of the highly controversial British Home Children movement that placed orphaned children or those living in poverty in Canada for indentured labour. Cawthron lived in Ringwood and Bethesda for fifteen years and worked as a farmer in both England and Canada before signing his attestation papers on January 24, 1942 in Toronto while living in Unionville. He also worked for William Hunt, George Reid and Isaac Pike, a schoolteacher at S.S. No. 12 Bethesda. Cawthron served in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps as a Private in the Highland Light Infantry Unit, as well as the Lorne Scots Regiment. On July 8, 1944 his battalion sustained heavy casualties that day with 62 killed in action and 262 heavily wounded. Cawthron was wounded in the advance and was evacuated to England where he died of wounds on July 13, 1944. Cawthron is buried at Kingston Cemetery in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.

Chadwick was born in Toronto on February 27, 1922, and was the son of Charles and Annie (Tripp) Chadwick. Before enlisting, Chadwick worked as a labourer. He enlisted at the age of 19 in August 1941 while living in Cedar Valley and served as a Private in the Essex Scottish Regiment (CA) and as part of the #2 D.D. (AF) Queens Own Rifles of Canada Infantry Regiment. Chadwick was killed in action in France on August 28, 1944, and is buried in Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Cintheaux, Basse-Normandie, France.

Cutler was born in Vivian to Percy and Grace Ada (Church) Cutler on April 10, 1924. His father was a veteran of the First World War who settled in Vivian upon his return. At the time of Cutler’s enlistment the family was living in Cedar Valley and he was a student at Stouffville Continuation School. Cutler was one of eight siblings with three of his brothers and one sister also serving in World War II. At one time the Cutlers were considered the family in York with the largest number of children actively serving. He enlisted in March 1942 and by August had been stationed at Mont-Joli, Quebec. Cutler went overseas with the 431 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force and while only completing four trips with 27 operational hours, was proving to be a promising “Ace”. Cutler was reported missing following air operations over Leibzig, Germany on February 20, 1944. Cutler was with six others at the time when their aircraft crashed at Bosdorf after being shot down by a German night fighter. The aircraft was destroyed by fire upon impact and Cutler and his crew were buried in a local cemetery before being identified and re-buried in Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery in Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany.

Davis was born in Birch Cliff, a hamlet of Toronto, Ontario to Rev. Douglas Gordon and Macil Alice (Boyce) Davis on November 12, 1920. By 1931 the Davis family had been living in King Township, but had relocated to Stouffville by the time Davis had enlisted in June 1940, where his father served as the pastor of the Stouffville United Church. Prior to service, Davis graduated from Aurora High School, worked in the executive office of T. Eaton Co. and had been a member of the York Rangers for three years. In October 1941 Davis received his wings at the Dunnville Air Training Centre before going overseas with the Royal Canadian Air Force in November 1941. Shortly after arriving he was transferred to the Royal Air Force. On February 11, 1942 Davis was involved in an accident with Squadron 52’s Operational Training Unit when his aircraft broke up mid-flight and crashed at New Grange Farm near Dymock, Gloucestershire, England. He is buried in Chalford Baptist Tabernacle Churchyard in Chalford, Gloucestershire, England. Davis was the first confirmed casualty of World War II with connections to Stouffville. Upon receiving news of his death Stouffville’s Reeve Arthur E. Weldon ordered the town flag over the municipal building to be lowered to half staff for three days in honour of Davis’ sacrifice.

Dyck was born in Kitzkos Saporoskago, Okruga, Russia on April 27, 1922 to Isaac and Maria (Rempel) Dyck. The family came to Canada in 1930 when they settled on a farm near Hanley, Saskatchewan. Dyck had lived in Ontario from 1936 to 1943 where he worked on a farm in Aurora. During this time he lived in Aurora, Claremont and in Stouffville on Market Street. Prior to enlisting, Dyck had also worked as a truck driver and a roofer. Dyck enlisted at Camp Borden in September 1943 under the Militia Act, also known as the National Resources Mobilization Act of 1940. Dyck was stationed first in England, then in France and then proceeded to Germany where he was a member of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. He was reported killed in action on March 3, 1945. Dyck is buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial in Groesbeek, Gelderland, Netherlands.

Fairles was born in Stouffville on December 9, 1918 and was the son of Thomas “Floyd” and Dunelda Elaine (Martin) Fairles. Prior to enlisting, Fairles had been a schoolteacher at Mongolia, was a farmer and was enrolled in the Non-Permanent Active Militia with the Grey & Simcoe Foresters. In July 1941 he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force. As part of his service he flew typhoons in Scotland before being re-assigned to India with the 11th Squadron where he was regarded for his keenness, reliability and joviality among the Squadron. While in India, Fairles was killed as a result of a mid-air collision with another aircraft over Imphal, Manipur, India on September 24, 1944. Fairles was buried in Imphal War Cemetery in Imphal, Manipur, India and is memorialized on his parents’ headstone in Stouffville Cemetery.

Gaspar was born on October 26, 1911 in either Stratford, England or in Tangier, Morocco. A record in his service file indicates that he may have been born in Morocco to a Spanish father and English mother. After his mother’s death he was sent to England by a missionary. Gaspar was then sent to Canada as a home child under the Barnardo Home system. He had lived with the Perkins family in Gormley for 18 years prior to enlisting and worked in farming, lumbering, mining, and as a machinist and driver. He had also been a member of the Queen’s Own Rifles Active Militia and enlisted for active service in February 1940. From August 1940 to June 1943 Gaspar served in England before transferring to Italy with the 3^rd Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery where he would serve until he was killed in action on October 1, 1944. Gaspar is buried in the Cesena War Cemetery in Cesena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Gittins was born on August 5, 1921 in Shepherd’s Bush, London, England to Frank and Mildred Amy (Dew) Gittins. He came to Canada at age 15 through the Fegan Homes program, an organization that placed boys with families in rural Ontario as farm labourers. This program was part of the highly controversial British Home Children movement that placed orphaned children or those living in poverty in Canada for indentured labour. He was living in Gormley, and working as a farmer when he enlisted with the 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Canada in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. Gittins enlisted on September 9, 1939, notably the day before Canada declared war on Germany. He was killed in action on August 19, 1942 at age 21. He is buried at the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery in Hautot-sur-Mer, in Haute-Normandie, France. 

Hisey was born in Markham, Ontario on May 25, 1917 to Levi and Margaret May (Hood) Hisey. He attended Hillcrest School in Whitchurch and lived with his brother Herb at Ringwood where he was employed on Ringwood Farms in Stouffville before he enlisted in 1942. Hisey was a Trooper with the 11th Army Tank Regiment of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Hisey died as a result of serious wounds at age 27 on June 22, 1944. He is buried in the Orvieto War Cemetery in Orvieto, Umbria, Italy and is memorialized on his parents’ headstone in Dickson Hill Cemetery in Markham, Ontario.

Hoover was born on December 28, 1917 in Markham, Ontario to Jacob and Edith Caroline (Nesbitt) Hoover. He lived in Stouffville with his wife Marion and infant daughter Carol where he worked as a mill worker and mechanic at Boadway’s Service Station. Hoover enlisted in 1942 with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and was promoted to Corporal on March 1, 1943. He went overseas in May 1943 and died on July 4, 1944 as a result of wounds he received in action in Normandy. Hoover was the first from Stouffville to serve the supreme sacrifice in France during World War II. Hoover’s brother Charlie had also served in World War II. Hoover is buried at the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Reviers, Basse-Normandie, France and is memorialized on his parents’ headstone in Peach’s United Church Cemetery in Markham, Ontario.

Jones was born on February 9, 1925 to Albert and Eda May (Woodrow) Jones of Cedar Valley. His father had been a Veteran of World War I and his brother Bert also served in World War II as a cook. Prior to enlisting Jones worked at Cansfield Electrical Works in Toronto. Jones was eager to join up and enlisted in September 1943. He then went to Brantford for training as an anti-tank gunner and before going overseas he attained a high standard in basic training. Jones went overseas to England in April 1944 and volunteered as reinforcement for the Royal Winnipeg Rifles just after Normandy during D-Day operations. Jones was originally reported killed in action, but as a result of his mother’s correspondence with various officials and the mothers of Jones’ fellow soldiers, it was revealed that Jones was murdered by the Germans. Jones had been a Prisoner of War of the SS 12 troops under SS Commander Kurt Meyer who was later tried for war crimes and convicted of being a Nazi War Criminal after ordering the murder of 124 surrendered Canadians, including Jones on June 8, 1944. Jones was buried in a mass grave with 31 others and was later exhumed and reburied with full military honours in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Reviers, Basse-Normandie, France.

Lehman was born on May 1, 1923, in Stouffville, Ontario to Wesley and Arvilla (Hill) Lehman. He left school for work and at the time of his enlistment he was a grain and feed truck driver for J. Farr in Claremont. He had been involved with Claremont’s United Church where he served as an Officer of the Young People of the United Church as a Social and Recreation leader. Lehman followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Private Jack Lehman and enlisted in November 1942.  Before going overseas he was stationed in Toronto and regularly came home to Claremont to work on his parents’ farm. Upon going overseas he was made Lance Corporal with the Irish Regiment of Canada. Lehman was killed in action on January 2, 1945. He is buried in the Villanova Canadian War Cemetery in Villanova di Bagnacavallo, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Robson was born in Vernonville, Ontario on September 24, 1914 to James Thompson and Margaret Agnes “Maggie” (Blacklock) Robson. He attended Cobourg Collegiate and then worked as a truck driver in Stouffville where he lived on the Winterstein farm for over a year. Robson married Eleanor Alicia Sparks in 1937 before he enlisted in June 1940. Robson was a Flight Sergeant with the Royal Canadian Air Force where he was a Wireless Operator Air Gunner. He was initially reported missing after an air mission on February 26, 1942 to Kiel, Germany. It was presumed that his aircraft was lost at sea. Robson has no known grave, but his name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial in Englefield Green, Surrey, England.

Snively was born in Toronto, Ontario on April 10, 1922 to Schuyler Crosby and Marjory (Braithwaite) Snively. The Snively family farm was known as “Glenlonely” and was located near Wilcox Lake within the former Whitchurch Township borders. He was a student at Trinity College, University of Toronto prior to enlisting. He enlisted with the 48th Highlanders of Canada in May 1942 and was promoted to Lieutenant in September of the same year. For two days in June 1944, Snively led his platoon of 48th Highlanders against the final fortifications of the Hitler Line. He and his men crawled over barbed wire which was laced throughout wheat and oat fields. They waded through anti-tank ditches and charged German fortifications before coming to a stone fortified house loaded with machine gunners. Snively told his men, “Take cover, and I’ll take it out.” He attacked the fortified building singlehandedly and was injured. His platoon was able to advance the objective on the Ponte-Corva Road. He died on May 23, 1944 and is buried in Cassino War Cemetery in Cassino, Lazio, Italy.

Styles was born in McMurrich Township, Ontario on June 22, 1920. He was the son of George and Annie (Tucker) Styles and worked as a typesetter and printer. His father was a veteran of the First World War and was wounded in Ypres and Vimy Ridge. He lived in the area of Cedar Valley and Pine Orchard before enlisting in June 1940. His brother George had also enlisted in World War II. Styles was a Rifleman and later promoted to Sergeant of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. While serving, he married Jessie Simpson of Lancashire, England on April 17, 1943. Styles was killed in action on July 9, 1944. He is buried at Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Reviers, Basse-Normandie, France.

Tranmer was born in Stouffville on October 2, 1920 to Otto and Emily (Mahon) Tranmer. He was a student at Stouffville High School and was completing a course at Victoria College, University of Toronto before he enlisted in June 1942. Soon after, Tranmer became a Flying Officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force. On January 30, 1944, Tranmer’s Lancaster took off from the Royal Air Force’s Spilsby Base on an air operation over Berlin, Germany. The aircraft with eight crew members failed to return after the operation and it is believed that it was shot down over the Baltic Sea. Tranmer is included on the Runnymede Memorial in Englefield, Surrey, England has a cenotaph memorializing him in Stouffville Cemetery in Stouffville.

Walker was born on January 30, 1912, in Buttonville Ontario to James and Rachel (Stonehouse) Walker. He attended Markham High School and was working as a dairy hand in Gormley, Ontario before enlisting in July 1940. Walker married Jean Perry in August 1941 and went overseas in October 1941. Initially reported as missing, Walker was killed in action during the Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942. He is buried at the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery in Hautot-sur-Mer, Haute-Normandie, France and is memorialized on a cenotaph in Buttonville Cemetery in Markham, Ontario.

Williams was born on August 24, 1921 in Folkestone, England. He came to Canada in 1937 at age 15 through the Fegan Homes program, an organization that placed boys with families in rural Ontario as farm labourers. This program was part of the highly controversial British Home Children movement that placed orphaned children or those living in poverty in Canada for indentured labour. Williams was a farm hand in Stouffville working on John A. Nicely’s property and on Martin Hutchinson’s property in Lemonville. Williams had enlisted in September 1939 and was reported to have been the first soldier from Whitchurch and Stouffville to enlist, joining up two weeks before war was officially declared. Upon going overseas Williams was involved in the Dieppe Raid and was said to be the fifth person from the local district who was reported missing after the encounter. Williams was then confirmed killed in action and is buried in the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery in Hautot-sur-Mer, Haute-Normandie, France.

Winn was born in Stouffville on May 24, 1920 and was the son of Frederick Lewis and Edna Maude (Curtis) Winn. Prior to enlisting Winn attended Stouffville Public School and was a graduate of Stouffville High School. He was a part of the Continuation School’s Literary Society where he held the position of Editor. Winn was a student at the University of Toronto where he enlisted in January 1941. Winn trained as a pilot and was a flying instructor in Brandon, Manitoba’s Service Flying School for 13 months before going overseas in July 1943. He received his wings at Hagersville and further training took place in Trenton and New Brunswick. Winn served with the Royal Canadian Airforce as a Flight Lieutenant with the 408 Squadron. He was first reported missing following operations over Germany and was later confirmed killed in action on February 20, 1944. He was buried at the Antwerpen Schoonselhof Communal Cemetery in Antwerp, Belgium. An account of Winn’s grave was published in the Stouffville Tribune following a visit to the cemetery by Private A. H. Cooper of Goodwood, Ontario who served with the Public Relations Service of the Canadian Army. Winn is also memorialized on his parents’ grave marker in Stouffville Cemetery in Stouffville, Ontario.