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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Joseph White

In memory of:

Flight Sergeant Joseph White

May 5, 1943

Military Service

Service Number:

R/114141

Age:

21

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

428 Ghost Squadron

Citation(s):

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.

Additional 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.

Commemorated on Page 226 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

WILNIS GENERAL CEMETERY
Netherlands

Grave Reference:

Coll. Grave 4.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Memorial– 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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    Memorial
    Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– 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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    Memorial
    Memorial – Flight Sergeant Joseph White is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– 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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    Memorial
    Memorial – Flight Sergeant Joseph White is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Photo of Joseph White

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    Photo of Joseph White
    Photo of Joseph White
  • High Flight poem

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    High Flight poem
    High Flight poem
  • Wilnis Monument– 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.

    Details

    Wilnis Monument
    Wilnis Monument – 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.
  • Bagpiper– Malcolm Burrows plays the bagpipes next to the Wilnis church before the ceremony.

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    Bagpiper
    Bagpiper – Malcolm Burrows plays the bagpipes next to the Wilnis church before the ceremony.
  • Monument before unveiling– Children and Canadian soldiers before unveiling.

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    Monument before unveiling
    Monument before unveiling – Children and Canadian soldiers before unveiling.
  • Children participating

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    Children participating
    Children participating
  • Children participating

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    Children participating
    Children participating
  • Monument unveiled– The parachute found at the scene of the crash is removed from the monument.

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    Monument unveiled
    Monument unveiled – The parachute found at the scene of the crash is removed from the monument.
  • Mayor and Ambassador– 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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    Mayor and Ambassador
    Mayor and Ambassador – Marianne Burgman, Mayor of the municipality of De Ronde Venen, and Serge April, Canadian Ambassador to the Netherlands immediately following the unveiling.
  • Veterans with flags– Veterans from the European Zone of the Royal Canadian Legion participate in the unveiling of the monument.

    Details

    Veterans with flags
    Veterans with flags – Veterans from the European Zone of the Royal Canadian Legion participate in the unveiling of the monument.

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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