Born 5/02/1923 in Wallaceburg, ON. Son of Frederick and Ann (Badder) Richards [passed away in 1942] of 933 Dufferin Ave., Wallaceburg. He had two brorthers, Harry and Eugene at home, and two sisters Margurite of Sudbury and Donna at home as well, a half-sister Mrs. Audrey Wellman of Sudbury. A member of the First Baptist church Wallaceburg and a Scout at No. 2 Troop. He was involved in track and field but baseball was his favorite sport. He received his education at Central public school and the Wallaceburg High School. CDN 20/07/44

Prior to the war Ron was employed at the Dominion Glass Co., Wallaceburg.

He enlisted with the First Kent Regt. 15/08/1940 in Chatham, ON. “he was among the first local men to join this unit and trained at # 12 BTC Chatham, London, ON., New Westminister and Terrance, BC. and Halifax, NS. Ronald transferred to the Highland Light Infantry to go overseas leaving for England 31/05/1943.   

His father was notified by cable that his son had been KIA on Saturday 9 July, 1944 while fighting in Normandy, France. He was shot by a German sniper.

KIA – Date of Death: 08/07/1944, in Normandy, France by a German sniper’s bullet at the age of 21 years. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: XIII. G. 1.

Cemetery: BENY-SUR-MER CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, REVIERS.

The flag at the Dominion Glass Company was flown at half-mast and a wreath of flowers was placed at the main entrance to the plant to commemorate his gallant service.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

"Settlement on the Sydenham”. Alan & Frank Mann, Index of Overseas Deaths, WHS-RH, VIS-IODE, CDN

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