30 Burwell Street

James Frederick Elson

James Frederick Elson and Emily Maud Hobbs emigrated from England and Scotland respectively and lived for a time in Ayr Ontario. Three of their sons were born in Ayr, but by the time they entered school, the family had moved to 30 Burwell Street in Paris. All four of their sons were destined for a military life.

James Frederick Elson was born in 1918. He was a Paris High School graduate and sang in the choir of St. James Anglican Church. He was also an active member of the Boy Scout troop in that church.

He was in Montreal on his way to join the British Navy the day England declared war on Germany. He continued on to England and joined the British Navy. After many months of study and training he was accepted into the Fleet Air Arm and was assigned to the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Victorious and saw considerable service with the convoys on the Murmansk route. In December 1941 he also had enough time to get married, to Dorothy Jeffreys of England. However, in August of 1942 the Victorious was detailed to convoy supplies to Malta. Enroute, the enemy was engaged, and LAC Elson was shot down into the sea.

Brother of:

• Elson, James Frederick
• Elson, Charles
• Elson, George William
• Elson, Edward Arthur