George Albert Samuel Gilmer

George was born in Georgetown on February 24, 1922…the son of Frederick James Gilmer (WW1) and Jennie Smith. The 1931 Census places George living with his parents and younger brother Harold at 31 Edith St., Georgetown, with his paternal grandmother Hattie and his Uncle Albert living next door.

George enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force early in WW2 and went through training in Galt, Winnipeg and Calgary. One wonders whether his father, a Veteran of WW1 urged him to join up or pleaded with him not to. Shortly after marrying Ivy Hancock in 1942 at the Presbyterian Manse, he was deployed to England and carried out his role as Wireless Air Gunner on Wellington bombers with the rank of Warrant Officer. Although he escaped the war without major injury, sadly he lost several acquaintances including his best friend who was also his best man at his wedding, who was lost in an aircraft accident. Following the war George returned to Toronto and shortly after moved his family to Ypres Rd. George wanted to become a truck driver but following his wife’s advice, he worked as a buyer for Eatons. George and Ivy had two children Ken and Diane.

George died November 16, 2022 and according to his obituary he loved boating at his cottage on Georgian Bay, his Mustang cars and was inquisitive throughout his life, especially about technology.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on. Information taken from Basicfunerals.ca and the 1931 Canadian Census

---