Born 21/05/1924 at Huffman’s Corner and is the  son of Arthur O. and Jemima Ann (Cantlay) of Harwich Twsp., Kent Co., ON. He is the brother of William, Lloyd, Doris and Ross. His address at his time of enlistment was Huffman’s Corner. Gerald is the husband of Phyllis.  His children, (listed in order of birth) are:  Jim, Diane, Delores, Brian, Brenda, Laurie and Donald. 

Gerald enlisted at London, ON., with the Canadian Infantry 3 March, 1943 at the age of twenty. He trained at Stratford and Camp Ipperwash.

In January of 1944 L/Cpl. Fisher was in the RCASC stationed at Owen Sound when he was on a week-end leave to visit his parents and his aunt and Uncle Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Lung in Detroit, Michigan before returning to his base. CDN 18/01/44

He was reported as being overseas. CDN 23/01/45.   Reported seriously ill as a result of a shrapnel wound to the left chest that he received 26 April,1945; likely in the area south east of Kirckhatten, Germany as part of the 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade, of which the Essex Scottish were part of, on the Brigades move towards Oldenburg. CDN 11/05/45 and CDN 25/05/45. Gerald’s wife writes: “Gerald was wounded the last day of the war and they removed shrapnel from his body several times.” (IODE information sheet). Gerald would recover from his injury but at the cost of one lung.

Gerald returned to Canada and lived in Kent County for the remainder of his life. 

Gerald Owen passed away 28 December, 1988.  He is buried in Maple Leaf Cemetery – Chatham, ON.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

CDN (23-01-1945), CDN (11-05-1945), Botany Howard Road Church – RofH, Park St. United Church – RofH, IODE information sheet, 1st Bn. Essex Scottish – History 1939-45 Brian Fisher (son)., Chatham Daily News - dates as indicated in text, NB(P), SGOP, B. Fisher, Son

---

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.