Military service
Burial/memorial information
Flight Sergeant Joseph White, son of Antonio and Mary White (née Elia), was born 28 September 1921 in Thorold, Ontario. Brother of Samuel, Roger and Lucy Ann, F/S White attended Holy Rosary School from 1928 to 1934, and Thorold High School from 1934 to 1940 where he held honour matriculation standings. He enlisted on 30 June 1941 in Hamilton, Ontario, stating that he was single and identifying his civilian occupation as a mill worker. He enjoyed swimming in particular and also rugby, tennis, gymnastics, hockey and basketball.
F/S White was killed on May 5, 1943 when his Vickers Wellington Bomber was shot down by a German fighter over The Netherlands. He was 21 years old, and is commemorated on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede.
<p>F/S White received the following citations: 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, War Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and clasp, Air Observer Badge awarded 21 September 1942, and Operational Wings awarded posthumously on 21 May 1947.</p>
Digital gallery of Flight Sergeant Joseph White
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Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
This monument was unveiled in Wilnis on Saturday 29 March 2003. It commemorates the three Canadian airmen killed when their Vickers Wellington aircraft crashed in a field in the vicinity of the village, after it had been shot down by a German night fighter on 5 May 1943.
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Malcolm Burrows plays the bagpipes next to the Wilnis church before the ceremony.
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Children and Canadian soldiers before unveiling.
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
The parachute found at the scene of the crash is removed from the monument.
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Marianne Burgman, Mayor of the municipality of De Ronde Venen, and Serge April, Canadian Ambassador to the Netherlands immediately following the unveiling.
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Veterans from the European Zone of the Royal Canadian Legion participate in the unveiling of the monument.
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Flight Sergeant Joseph White is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Flight Sergeant Joseph White is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
From a World War 2 issue of the St Catharines Standard c.1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Flight Sergeant Joseph White
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Image gallery
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This monument was unveiled in Wilnis on Saturday 29 March 2003. It commemorates the three Canadian airmen killed when their Vickers Wellington aircraft crashed in a field in the vicinity of the village, after it had been shot down by a German night fighter on 5 May 1943.
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Malcolm Burrows plays the bagpipes next to the Wilnis church before the ceremony.
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Children and Canadian soldiers before unveiling.
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The parachute found at the scene of the crash is removed from the monument.
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Marianne Burgman, Mayor of the municipality of De Ronde Venen, and Serge April, Canadian Ambassador to the Netherlands immediately following the unveiling.
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Veterans from the European Zone of the Royal Canadian Legion participate in the unveiling of the monument.
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Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
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Flight Sergeant Joseph White is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
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Flight Sergeant Joseph White is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
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From a World War 2 issue of the St Catharines Standard c.1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
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Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
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Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 226 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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WILNIS GENERAL CEMETERY Netherlands
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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