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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Roderick Bruce Howson

In memory of:

Lieutenant Roderick Bruce Howson

December 15, 1944

Military Service


Age:

22

Force:

Army

Unit:

4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, R.C.A.C.

Additional Information


Son of Bruce Fulford Howson and Edna Laura Howson, of Toronto, Ontario.

Commemorated on Page 339 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

IV, G, 8.

Location:

The ARGENTA GAP WAR CEMETERY lies in the Commune of Argenta in the Province of Ferrara and is situated in the low, flat agricultural country of the Po Valley. The town of Argenta is approximately 105 kilometres south of Venice and lies 2 kilometres south of the Cemetery on the busy road connecting Ravenna with Ferrara (Route No.16). If approaching the Cemetery from the south, the visitor should bear right just before reaching the town of Argenta and proceed down the Strada di Circonvallazione, passing the railway station on the right. The second turning to the right should then be taken and, after crossing the railway, the visitor should continue forward to a fork where he should again bear right. The turning to the Cemetery will then be found on the left a little further on near a farm. If approaching the ARGENTA GAP WAR CEMETERY from the north, the visitor should turn sharp left off the main road at the first cross-roads on the borders of the town and then take the third turning to the left which will lead to the railway crossing mentioned above. The cemetery is permanently open and may be visited outside the working hours of the local gardening staff, but will be unmanned. The local gardening staff working hours are as follows:
From first Monday in April:
Monday to Thursday: 07.30 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 16.45
Friday: 07.30 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 15.30
From first Monday in October:
Monday to Thursday: 08.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 16.00
Friday: 08.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 15.00

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of RODERICK BRUCE HOWSON– While a student, Howson served as the 1st year metallurgical rep in the Mining and Metallurgical Club Executive at the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, 1941-42. From: Torontonensis yearbook 1942.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star May 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star June 1045. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram May 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram January 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram May 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Roderick Howson– From:  University of Toronto Memorial Book Second World War 1939-1945. 
The book was published by the Soldiers' Tower Committee, University of Toronto.  
Submitted with permission, by Operation Picture Me.
  • Soldiers' Tower Memorial– The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed.  A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Arch– The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “Lt R. B. HOWSON C.I.C.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Room– Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Book– University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 31 reads: “Lt Roderick Bruce HOWSON  4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards. Former student in Applied Science and Engineering – Metallurgy, 1941-42. Died of wounds received in the Italian Campaign, 15 December 1944. Buried in the Argenta Gap War Cemetery, Italy.”

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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