During the years 1911 and 1915 two brothers named Robert and James were born in
Chatham, Ontario, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Riddell. Several years later the Riddell
family including Robert and James along with their five sisters moved to the Windsor area.
In Walkerville the family lived at 951 Windermere Road and the children attended the local
elementary schools and Walkerville Collegiate.
While in high school James Riddell became one of the leading high school athletes in the
city He played on several Walkerville collegiate school teams, becoming a football and
basketball star.
Several years later his younger brother, Robert also attended Walkerville Collegiate but
didn't pursue atlethic's like his older brother. He did find time to become a top honours
student and a member of the schools rifle and golf team.
After graduation James found employment at the Ford Motor Company and continued his
athletic activities, including refereeing. Robert found employment at the Bank of Nova
Scotia and with Bayley and Ellis.
It was during this time that both brothers were initiated into Masonry as members of
Palace Lodge no. 604, Jim at the age of 24 on may 11, 1939 and Robert at the age of 22 on
October 12, 1940. Both went on to become Master Masons.
At this point in the young brothers lives it appeared both would marry their high school
sweethearts and raise a family, but the war in Europe changed all that.
HELIOPOLIS CEMETRY - EGYPT |
In August of 1940 James enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Robert
enlisted the following year. Both were trained as pilots, James achieving the rank of
Sergeant, Robert the rank of Pilot Officer. In November of 1941 James was transferred
overseas as a flight instructor in England. Wanting more active service James volunteered
for service in the Far East. Four months later in March of 1942 Robert was transferred
overseas to England and the Allied Bomber Command Squ. No. 401. Robert served in the Royal
Canadian Air Force escorting bombers on bombing runs over Europe as a fighter pilot. |
On August 3, 1942, while flying a mission over Egypt Sergeant James Riddell was killed in action.
| Eight weeks later on October 5, 1942, which would have been James
Riddell's 27th birthday, his younger brother Pilot Officer Robert Riddell was killed,
while escorting a bombing mission over Germany. Robert's parents were notified of his death by the Royal Canadian Air Force records office in England on October 7, two days after he was killed. The following day they received a letter from Robert dated September 7 detailing his first mission against the enemy. James Riddell was buried in the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Cemetery outside Cario in Egypt, grave no. 2.D.10. Robert Riddell was buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery at Surrey United Kingdom, grave no. 33.13.6 Both Brothers names appear on the Lancaster Bomber War Memorial in Jackson Park at Windsor, Ontario and The Walkerville Collegiate War Memorial. |
 BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY
|
