Born 21 March, 1924, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Asa Burnham of Ridgetown, ON., formerly of Mull, Harwich Twsp., Kent County,ON.

David enlisted with the Royal Canadian Regt. (RCR) on 3 June, 1943, at Windsor, ON. At the time of his enlistment he was living in Mull. After training in Canada he went overseas serving in Italy in March of 1944. His first real battle began on 23/05/44 as “Operation Chesterfield” the Canadian attacked the Hitler Line. During this operation David was struck in the neck by a piece of shrapnel, which was never removed, and after convalesing he returned to active service before the end of 1944.

After leaving Italy in 1945 the 1^st Canadian Corp arrived from Italy. David served in France, Belgium, Holland where he was involved in the liberation of Apledoon April 11 to the 17^th , and finally into Germany.

Reported returning to Canada from overseas duty aboard the troopship S. S. “Pasteur” expected to dock at Quebec City on the 22^nd of September 1945. CDN 20/09/45. Reported returned from overseas duty CDN 23/09/45.

David received the Italian, France and Germany Star, Victory Medal and the Volunteer medal with Bar.

Once home in Canada, Dave resumed working for the New York Central Railroad. He married Marie (nee  Verleye) 1927-1981, on 2 August, 1947. Except for a year spent in Jackson, Michigan, Dave and Marie made their home in Ridgetown, ON. They became the parents of two children: Bruce, born in 1949, and Janette in 1953.  Dave retired after 19 years and then worked in Ridgetown at Tube Turns until his retirement from there.

He married his second wife Marieta (Rita) (nee Blair) Hasson (1924 -1996) in June 1982 and became the step-father to four daughters. He was the grandfather of  8 and step-grandfather to 7.

Dave was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 243 for over 50 years.

David Earl passed away 17 February, 2001 and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Ridgetown.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

CDN (23-09-1945, 14/05/45), BFL-B, RCL243 Aniv., GOHIS, The D-Day Dodgers Italy 1939-45 (D.G.Dancock), J Burham-Lozon (family), Unidentified news clipping - 22 Nov. 1944. (Photo x 2), Janette Lozon.

Next of Kin

Mrs. C. Burnham of Ridgetown, ON.

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