A plaque has been installed by the Arthur and Area Historical Society in the local community centre displaying the photos and names of 17 of the 25 men from the Arthur area killed in the Second World War.
The plaque, located in the arena, is visible to players and fans as they congregate for their games.
The plaque’s inscription reads, “They gave their lives that you might play or watch the game.” It is surrounded by photos of the soldiers.
Information about the deaths of most of the 17 men on the plaque is not available. However, some information is known about six individuals.
Two families from the Arthur area each suffered the loss of two sons, the Schmidts and Samuels.
Lieutenant Ross Samuel was with the Perth Regiment and was killed in 1944 while fighting in the “Ville de Lobout” area of France. Today a bridge in the area – “The Lieutenant Ross Samuel Bridge” – has been named in his honour.
A memorial service was being held at the Gordonville church near Arthur for Lieutenant Samuel when word was received the other Samuel brother Allan, with the RCAF, had been killed.
Mervin Waters and Jerome Epoch grew up a few miles from one another in the Kenilworth area. They attended schools in Kenilworth and Arthur High School. Both joined the RCAF and did their basic training in Galt. While stationed in England both had taken part in many bombing raids over German-held territory.
On a flight to Germany Jerome Epoch’s plane encountered a freak ice storm and crashed in eastern England, killing all but two of the crew.
On a training flight in England, Mervin Waters’ plane caught fire and crashed, killing all on board. Today, both airmen are buried a few graves apart in the RCAF cemetery in Harrogate in Yorkshire County in northern England.
Fred Schmidt was stationed in the Algiers area of North Africa with the RCAF. While on a flight in that area his plane entered a “no fly” zone and was shot down by friendly fire (his own troops).
One of the most tragic deaths of an Arthur soldier was that of Lieutenant Austin Heffernan. He saw military service in England, France and Holland. After the end of the war in Europe he wrote home to tell his parents that he was being discharged and hoped to be home in six weeks. While the parents were patiently waiting for his arrival they received a military telegram stating that their son, while in a military vehicle, had been killed in a highway collision.
The members of the Arthur Historical Society have been unable to locate photos of the following eight men from the Arthur area that were also killed during the war: John Elliott, Walter Jamieson, Calder Little, Leslie McFarlane, Dr. Samuel Park, Ed Pevoy, Leo Pringlemeir and Thomas Roche.
Anyone with photos or any connection to these men is asked to contact any member of the Arthur and Area Historical Society.
