Honorary Veteran Street Signs

Veteran Name: William Abraham Raymond Dearing

Subdivision: Sol Haven

About: William Abraham Raymond Dearing was from Stephen Township and served as a private in the Canadian Infantry in World War I. He passed away from influenza in the Military Hospital in London, Ontario in 1918 at the age of 23.

Service: World War I

Birth date: August 8, 1895

Date of Passing: December 17, 1918

Age: 23

Cemetery: Grand Bend Cemetery

Service Number: 3135622

Unit: Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment)

Rank: Private

Force: Army

Division: 1^st Depot BN

Biography link: William Abraham Raymond Dearing | Veterans Affairs Canada

Subdivision: Sol Haven

About: Sullivan Street is named after veterans Joseph M Sullivan and John T Sullivan, brothers from Dashwood. Sons of Patrick and Mary Sullivan (nee Guinan) of Dashwood. Private Jospeh Sullivan served with the 15^th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force in WWI and was killed in action in the Battle of Messines, France 1917 at the age of 20.

Private John Sullivan served with the Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment) in WWI and died in the Military Hospital, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan in 1918 from influenza at the age of 24.

Veteran Name: Jospeh M Sullivan

Service: World War I

Date of Passing: April 9, 1917

Age: 20

Cemetery: Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

Service Number: 802476

Unit: Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)

Rank: Private

Force: Army

Division: 15^th Bn

Biography link: Every One Remembered - Soldier Profile Private Joseph mary Sullivan

Veteran Name: John T. Sullivan

Service: World War I

Date of Passing: October 27, 1918

Age: 24

Cemetery: Moose Jaw Cemetery, Saskatchewan

Service Number: 4090198

Unit: Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)

Rank: Private

Force: Army

Division: 1^st Depot Bn.

Biography link: Every One Remembered - Soldier Profile Private John t. Sullivan

Veteran Name: Lawrence Earl Johns

Subdivision: South Pointe

About: Lawrence Earl Johns was born in Elimville, Ontario on December, 1893. Johns enlisted at Exeter, Ontario on April 11, 1916 with the 161st Huron Battalion, C.E.F. He served overseas with the 58th Battalion and died September 12, 1917.

Service: World War I

Birth Date: December 9, 1893

Date of Passing: September 12, 1917

Age: 23

Cemetery: Beehive Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

Service Number: 654744

Unit: Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)

Rank: Private

Force: Army

Division: 58^th Bn

Biography link: Lawrence Earl Johns | Veterans Affairs Canada

Veteran Name: Sir Murray Arthur Greene

Subdivision: Buckingham Estates

About: Murray Authur Greene was a beloved member of the South Huron community. Upon returning home from serving in Europe during World War II, Murray and his late wife, Rhea, owned and operated Greene’s Variety in Exeter for several years from 1957 to 1975. Murray also sat on Council for four years, was chairman of the Public Utilities Commission and served as the Executive of the Exeter Legion Branch 167 for several years. He was recognized for his heroism and role in WWII when he was awarded France’s Legion of Honour along with the prestigious knighthood and use of ‘sir’ before his name.

Service: World War II

Date of Birth: March 23, 1921

Date of Passing:  January 16, 2023

Age:  102

Cemetery: Dorchester Union Cemetery

Service Number: --

Unit: --

Rank: Private

Force: Army

Division: RCL I regiment

Biography link: Greene, Murray Arthur – Gathering Our Heroes – Chatham-Kent's WWI & WWII Veterans

Veteran Name: Edward Charles Triebner

Subdivision: Buckingham Estates

About: Edward Charles Triebner was born in Exeter in January 1923 to parents Frank and Muriel Elizabeth Triebner (nee Willert). Edward is also remembered on a family marker at Exeter Cemetery in Exeter.

Service: World War II

Birth Date: January 12, 1923

Date of Passing: September 18, 1944

Age: 21

Cemetery: Adegem Canadian War Cemetery

Service Number: A/105228

Unit: Canadian Grenadier Guards, R.C.A.C

Rank: Guardsman

Force: Army

Division: 22nd Armd. Regiment

Biography link:

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/631487

Veteran Name: Vera Armstrong

Subdivision: Windermere

About: Armstrong Street is named after the local Armstrong Family. Several members of the Armstrong family were notably influential in the community and played a role World War II efforts.

George and Catherine Armstrong settled in Usborne in 1849 and moved to Exter in 1877.

Irvine, son of George and Catherine, took an active role in the community serving on Council for several years from 1900 to 1905.

Vera Armstrong, Irvine’s granddaughter in-law, served in the Royale Canadian Airforce as a wireless operator during World War II. She re-enlisted in 1951 and served at RCAF Centralia and #4 Fighter Wing in Germany. She was also an active member of the community volunteering with several organizations including the Exeter Legion, Hospital Auxiliary, Girl Guides and the United Church. She was recognized for her commitment to the community receiving the Flare Volunteer Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Ontario Senior Achievement Award.

Service: World War II

Birth Date: May 22, 1924

Date of Passing: May 9, 2026

Age: 102

Cemetery: Exeter Cemetery

Force: Air Force

Biography link: This local war veteran is celebrating her 100th birthday today! | 90.5 Exeter Today

Veteran Name: John Alexander Douglas McCurdy

Subdivision: Huron Park

About: John Alexander Douglas McCurdy, commonly referred to as the ‘father of Canadian military aviation’ was made famous for his contributions to military aviation during the first and second world wars. He is credited for making the first ocean flight from Florida to Cuba in his infamous aeroplane, the Silver Dart. John was influential in establishing the first aviation school in Cananda in 1915 and started Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd. Which manufactured military aircrafts during World War I. He was assistant director of aircraft production for the Canadian government in WWII and went on to become the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia in 1947.

In 1952 the Canadian Airforce honoured John McCurdy by naming the newly constructed elementary school in Huron Park after him.

Service: World War I

Birth Date: August 2, 1886

Date of Passing: June 25, 1961

Age: 75

Cemetery: Knox Cemetery, Baddeck, NS

Biography link:

J.A.D. McCurdy: the father of Canadian military aviation - News Article - Royal Canadian Air Force - Canada.ca

Veteran Name: Orval Percy Lawson

Development: Southbridge Long Term Care

About: Orval was the son of George and Jennie Lawson of Crediton. Orval went to school in Exeter before moving to Orilla in 1935 to become a bank clerk at the Canadian Bank of Commerce. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 and went on to become a pilot officer during World War II.

Service: World War II

Birth Date: May 14, 1917

Date of Passing: May 7, 1944

Age: 27

Cemetery: Alamein Memorial

Service Number: J/94370

Unit: Royal Canadian Airforce

Rank: Pilot Officer

Force: Air Force

Division: 14 (R.A.F) Squadron

Biography link:

Orval Percy Lawson | Veterans Affairs Canada

Veteran Name: Wilber John Rowe

Subdivision: South Pointe

About: Wilber John Rowe was born in Exeter in 1887 to parents John and Florence Rowe. Wilber relocated to Quill Lake, Saskatchewan where he was a farmer by trade. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on February 3, 1916, in Quill Lake. Private Rowe spent two and a half years at the front and was on route back home. He died of bronchial pneumonia while on march to Germany after the signing of the armistice. His estate was left to his fiancée Helen C.M. Govan of Quill Lake. He is commemorated at the Exeter War Memorial as well as the Saskatchewan's Virtual War Memorial.

Service: World War I

Date of Birth: January 24,1887

Date of Passing: January 25, 1919

Age: 32

Cemetery: Brussels Town Cemetery, Belgium

Service Number: 267138

Unit: Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)

Rank: Private

Force: Army

Division: 28th Battalion

Biography link:

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/590559