Remembering Our War Heroes by Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives
As November approaches, the veteran banners adorn main streets in towns and villages across Ontario. As we gaze at the faces on the banners or the names on the local cenotaphs, we must give them our gratitude. However, the picture and name give us no details about these local heroes. They need to be remembered for who they were. They left behind families and a community that worried and grieved. Let’s find out about some of these local heroes from Middlesex Centre Archives. In the former Lobo Township, Zavitz is a common name in the Coldstream area. One of the Zavitz sons now lies in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, in Kleve, Germany. Warrant Officer Class II Russell Clayton Zavitz, son of Clayton and Flora McCallum Zavitz, was killed in action on January 13, 1943, as his plane flew over Germany. He was just 31 years old. According to the information on the Find a Grave website, the plane, in which he was a gunner, was probably shot down by night fighter pilot Major Werner Streib, of the Stab I./NJG 1, flying Bf 110 ‘G9+BB’ from Venlo airfield, in the Netherlands. Besides his parents, Russell left behind a younger sister, Ruby, and a younger brother, Roy.
Left: 2015.0011-V.56-005A, Russell C. Zavitz KIA Right: Jack Paisley
before enlisting on July 10, 1940, in the RCAF. He had attended this school as well. On May 17, 1942, the Hudson aircraft that Jack was aboard failed to return from an anti-submarine patrol over the North Sea. At the 1942 Christmas Concert at S.S. 4 London Township, his portrait was unveiled. Jack was interred at Runnymede Cemetery, in Surrey, England. These are only three of the men and women who have served our community. Some gave their lives. Some came home. All their families were affected in some way by their service. Our community is proud of them. As you pass by the cenotaph or gaze at the veteran banners, stop and think about these people and their service. Think about their families. They are heroes. Visit the Middlesex Centre Archives to learn more about the people who so bravely fought for the freedoms we have today. Cherish that freedom and their sacrifices.
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Page 6 Ilderton and Area Villager • November 2024 In the former London Township, a schoolteacher joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Flying Officer John (aka Jack) R. Paisley (1915-1942) was the son of Frederick Paisley and Annie Loft, and brother of Newton and Mary Isabel, who was a nurse who served overseas during WWII. Jack taught school for three years at S.S. 4 London Township (Ilderton) In former Delaware Township, Corporal George Welch (1915- 1965), son of John and Agnes Bell Welch, was one of the first from the Delaware area to join the Canadian Active Army. During WWII, Corporal Welch served in England removing “dud” bombs with a bomb-removal squad. He helped construct a Canadian hospital that was in three sections over three-quarter acres – built to foil incoming German bombers. However, in the local paper on September 14, 1944, Corporal Welch’s wife, Muriel Margaret McGillivray Welch, reported that he was one of the fortunate Canadian soldiers who survived the Dieppe Raid, where so many Canadians lost their lives. In the Dieppe Raid, over 6000 Canadian soldiers took part, 900 died and nearly 2000 became prisoners of war. Corporal Welch did return to his wife and two daughters, his parents, and his sisters, Carrie and Maggie.
Runnymede Cemetery
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