| Rank | Private |
| Service # | A49617 |
| Resident | Erieau, ON |
Born 22/06/21 in Guilds, Harwich Twsp., Kent Co., ON. The son of Charles Samuel and Mollie (nee Paterson) Vidler.
Pte. Vidler spent a weekend leave with his family in Erieau in March 1942. CDN 18/03/42 In July of 1942, George returned to the West Coast after spending a ten day furlough with his parents.
George enlisted in the Army 29/07/1940 in the First Kent Regt., had served with the Kents for two years, transferring to the Essex Scottish Regt. at the age of eighteen. The CDN 5/03/43(P) reported that Pte. George C. Vidler a former member of the First Kents had volunteered for overseas service with reinforcements. Pte Vidler spent a weekend leave with his family in Erieau in March 1942. CDN 18/03/42 In July of 1942, George returned to the West Coast after opening a ten day furlough with his parents. George was reported home from New Westminister, on a ten day furlough.
He celebrated his twenty first birthday while in BC. CDN 5/08/42.
He transferred to the Royal Canadian Regiment and had went overseas with the ‘Red Patch’ 1st Canadian Division. He served in Italy with the RCR as a Brengun carrier driver. CDN 11/04/44(P). He also served in Holland, Belgium and Germany. In an article in the CDN 9/02/45 Pt. John Giffin, home on a 30 day leave from Italy reported that he saw George, then driving a Bren Gun Carrier in Italy. George had given Pte. Giffin a watch that he asked the Private to give to his mother, in the article John was looking forward to doing that request.
In an article in the CDN 9/02/45 Pt. John Giffin, home on a 30 day leave from Italy reported that he saw George, then driving a Bren Gun Carrier in Italy. George had given Pte. Giffin a watch that he asked the Private to give to his mother, in the article John was looking forward to doing that request.
George was discharged from the Army 9/11/1945.
George was reported as living in Erieau when he returned from overseas reported returning from overseas on board the S. S. “New Amsterdam” part of a contingent of RCR members. CDN 25/09/45, 26/09/45
In 1947 he married Jeannette (nee Apfeld) and they became lifelong residents of Erieau. George worked at the Erieau coal docks and later at International Harvester in Chatham as a stationary engineer at the Chatham Plant. They raised four children, Lorraine, Brian, Joanne and Scott. George died at home on Christmas morning 2009 with interment at Evergreen Cemetery.
My Warrior Son, who passed in this high test.
– Mollie Vidler –
CDN 26/09/1939.
George attended the 50th anniversary ceremony in Holland.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | CDN (29/12/09), BNT (6/01/10), LM-LP |
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