Language selection


Search veterans.gc.ca

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Francis Duncan Gillis

In memory of:

Flying Officer Francis Duncan Gillis

July 6, 1945

Military Service


Service Number:

J/26797

Age:

28

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

10 Sqdn.

Additional Information


Son of Duncan A. Gillis and Loretta Gillis, of Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Commemorated on Page 518 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

OTTAWA MEMORIAL
Ontario, Canada

Grave Reference:

Panel 4. Column 2.

Location:

The Ottawa Memorial stands on the north-eastern point of Green Island in the City of Ottawa. Overlooking the northern branch of the Twin Falls of the Rideau River, it commands a panoramic view of the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills beyond. The Memorial commemorates those of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth who lost their lives while serving in units operating from bases in Canada, the British West Indies and the United States of America, or while training in Canada and the U.S.A., and who have no known graves. The main feature of the Ottawa Memorial is a sculptured terrestrial globe in bronze, 3 metres in diameter, on a base formed by three bronze beavers rising from the centre of an ornamental pool. The globe, of open lattice-work corresponding to the lines of latitude and longitude, on which the land masses are super imposed in low relief, is crowned by the Air Forces emblem of a bronze eagle with outspread wings. Two curved screen walls faced in limestone, bearing cast bronze panels on which the names appear, face inwards towards the globe. They are placed slightly off centre to allow a clear view through the Ottawa Memorial from the central steps on Sussex Drive and from the wide pathway. Two Air Force crest exist in the paving between the screen walls. A dedicatory inscription, in English on one screen wall and in French on the other, is incised in the stonework between the bronze name panels, which reads as follows:
1939 - 1945
In honoured memory of the men and women of the air forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who gave their lives in Canada, in the United States of America and neighbouring lands and who have no known grave.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Newspaper clipping– Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 1945
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram July 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Memorial– Ottawa Memorial … In honoured memory of the men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who gave their lives in Canada, in the United States of America and in neighbouring lands and seas and who  have no known grave. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens October 2023.
  • Memorial– Flying Officer Francis Duncan Gillis as commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial, Ottawa, ON. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens October 2023.
  • Photo of Francis Duncan Gillis– From the Sydney Academy Memorial booklet, published by the Student's Assembly in memory of former students who served during the Second World War.  The original pictures were supplied by the Sydney Post-Record and the booklet was compiled by Jack Wilcox, class of 1946 and Donald Trivett, class of 1947.
Additional Information courtesy of Floyd Williston:
F/O Francis Gillis, age 28, was killed when Liberator #595, of No.10 North Atlantic Squadron, developed rudder problems while on an anti-submarine patrol, and crashed off the coast of Newfoundland. Although the rest of his crew survived, Skipper Gillis' body was not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Ottawa War Memorial.
  • Letter from the Sydney Academy

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.

Date modified: