Roger, Aircraftman William Elroy “Bill”

Service Highlights

  • Born March 12, 1903 in Fullarton Township, Perth County, Ontario.
  • Son of William James Roger and Sarah G. Rice.
  • Enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Regular Force, on June 17, 1940.
  • Served during the Second World War as an engine mechanic.
  • Worked at two service flying training schools, Squadron 5 Brantford and Squadron 9 Centralia.
  • Discharged on July 6, 1945.
  • After the war, returned farming
  • Passed away on December 13, 1989.
  • Buried at Avonbank Presbyterian Cemetery, Perth County, Ontario.
  • Commemorated through the St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program.

A Life and Service Remembered

William Elroy “Bill” Roger was born in Fullarton Township in 1903, on the farm that would remain central to his life. He was the son of William James Roger and Sarah G. Rice, part of a Perth County farming family with deep roots in the area.

Bill enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in June 1940, during the first year of the Second World War. As an engine mechanic, he helped keep training aircraft ready for the young airmen preparing for wartime service. His work took him to service flying training schools at Brantford and Centralia, both part of Canada’s enormous wartime air training effort.

At this time, his service records are not publicly available, so the exact details of his movements have not yet been confirmed.

After his discharge in July 1945, Bill returned home and took over the farm where he had been born. He lived there for the rest of his life, continuing the quiet rural work that had shaped him before the war. William Elroy Roger passed away on December 13, 1989, and is remembered through his family, his community, and the St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program.

Major Battles and Operations

  • Royal Canadian Air Force service during the Second World War
  • Engine mechanic with service flying training schools
  • Service at No. 5 Service Flying Training School, Brantford
  • Service at No. 9 Service Flying Training School, Centralia
  • Support of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada

Learn More

Royal Canadian Legion Military Service Recognition Book Volume XI
https://on.legion.ca/remembrance/military-service-recognition-book/msrb/

Selves family history page
https://www.selves.ca/getperson.php?personID=I17211&tree=tree1