Profile image
Military service
Service number:
R/251797
Age:
20
Rank:
Sergeant
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
10 (R.A.F.) Sqdn
Death:
April 9, 1945
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
8. D. 12.
Additional information
Son of Henry and Wilhelmina Switzer, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Digital gallery of Sergeant John Ross Switzer
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Photo of John Ross Switzer
Only Canadian member of his RAF Halifax crew Sgt. John Ross Switzer, flight engineer, 20, son of Mrs. Switzer, 343 Scarboro Rd., and the late Henry Switzer, is officially reported to have been killed when his aircraft crashed at Dusseldorf, Germany, on April 5, 1945. Taking part in a bombing operation over Hamburg, the Halilax was hit and burst into flames after the pilot tried to make a crash landing. Two crew members were later reported safe. The others, including Sgt. Switzer, were killed and are buried Reichswald Forest Cemetery. Toronto born, Sgt. Switzer attended Adam Beck Public School and Malvern Collegiate. He was employed at a brokerage firm prior to his enlistment in April, 1943. After training at Vancouver, Saskatoon, Davidson and St. Thomas, he was posted overseas in July, 1944, and when reported missing had completed 10 operational flights. Besides his mother, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Robert Andrew, and a brother, Henry Elmer Switzer. -
Photo of JOHN ROSS SWITZER
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of JOHN ROSS SWITZER
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Id Card
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Grave marker
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Grave marker
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Memorial
Sergeant John Ross Switzer is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Sergeant John Ross Switzer is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Telegram January 1946. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Ross Switzer
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Ross Switzer
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Ross Switzer
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Ross Switzer
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Ross Switzer
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Ross Switzer
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Ross Switzer
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Ross Switzer
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Ross Switzer
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 568 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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