George Charles Lee

George was born on June 20, 1924 in a cabin in Minnitonis, Manitoba. George was the first-born child of Norman and Beatrice Eden. As an infant, the family moved to his grandfather’s farm near Eden Mills Ontario. George attended high school in Rockwood, while also working on the family dairy farm.

In 1942, at the age of 18, George enlisted in at HMCS STAR in Hamilton as an Ordinary Seaman. Promoted to Leading Seaman and radar operator, George served on the HMCS Mayflower, a Flower class corvette tasked with protecting Allied merchant convoys crossing the Atlantic. In the spring of 1944, HMCS Mayflower sailed for England as an early escort vessel in support of the D-Day invasion.

George’s wartime service was recognized with the 1939-1945 Star, Atlantic Star, France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the 1939-1945 General Service Medal.

In 1946, George married Madeleine Mellor of Acton. He was employed as Head Animal Attendant at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph and in 1948 he and Madeleine moved to Hatchet Bay Eleuthera Bahamas, where George ran a dairy herd for a period of two years.

Upon their return to Acton, George was employed at Beardmore Tannery in various positions culminating as a salesman. After leaving Beardmore, George remained in the leather industry until his retirement.

George and Madeleine built the house at 42 Longfield Rd, where they raised their two daughters Jackie and Cindi.

George passed away on April 28, 2003, and was buried at Fairview Cemetery Acton.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on.

Submitted to Homes of Heros Halton Hills by Sean Ahearne