Born in Alliston, ON. in 1921.The son of Franklin Albert Allison R272584 at RCAF – Brantford; they had a sister Mrs. Wilfred Groombridge, other siblings W. Donald, and Charles in Windsor; W. J. Reynolds in Chatham. Sisters Mrs. Irma Denike of Amherstburg, Mrs. Frank Fox Detroit., Betty Ann and Donna at home.

Albert  married Miss Birdie (nee Glassford), married on the 6^th of February. She was advised that her husband’s funeral would be held on 5 October in the morning. Interment was in Stonefall Cemetery, Weatherby Road, Ajrrogat, Yorkshire, England. 

Royal Canadian Air Force. # 2 Operational Training Unit.

Albert received most of education in Chatham. He learned to fly locally with Norman Thomson and secured a commercial flying license before the war. He had in fact, learned to fly a plane before he could drive a car. Prior to his enlistment he was employed at the Union Gas Co., in Chatham.

Beside his other skills he was also a skilled artist, While overseas he did an oil painying of his mother’s old home in England in Hertfordshire for the first time. The painting was sent to his mother.

Albert had been spending a three week furlough with his mother and friends in Chatham before returning to Toronto to continue with his duties. CDN 11/07/42 In August of 1942 he was visiting his mother and friends in Chatham. CDN 25/08/42

Albert enlisted in August of 1941 and trained at Regina, Brandon, MN. Toronto and Goderich, ON. and on Prince Edward Island. He received his commission at Hagersville.  It was while on a training flight that F/O Ruthven was killed. 

He went overseas early in June, 1943. A letter to his mother received just a week before his death saying he was in good health and spirits, he was 23 years old.

Age 23 DOAA – Date of Death: 01/10/1943, F/O Ruthven flying a Beaufighter # T 5348 crashed into some cottages during a low right hand circuit at Leven, East Yorkshire, England. This was his first solo flight.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. C. Row C. Grave 6.

Cemetery: HARROGATE (STONEFALL) CEMETERY.

In 1956 Gertrude Edna Reynolds then of Chatham, ON. was selected to lay the wreath for the “Memorial Cross Mothers (Silver Cross) at the National Cenotaph in Ottawa on Remembrance Day.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Chatham Fire Fighters 1944 Field Day Booklet 7 to 12/08/1944. CWGC. Index of Overseas Deaths. Park St. Church, Chatham, ON. Roll of Honour. Index of Overseas Deaths. They Shall Grow Not Old, IODE(P), CVWM, CCI-HR ., CWGC. Index of Overseas Deaths., Park St. Church, Chatham, ON. Roll of Honour. Index of Overseas Deaths. They Shall Grow Not Old, IODE(P), CVWM, CCI-HR .
Supplemental Information	Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. C. Row C. Grave 6. Cemetery: HARROGATE (STONEFALL) CEMETERY.

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