United Kingdom. A Memorial Cross To Corporal Dewar, Rcaf; "Motor Accident"

Canada; George VI (CPL. W.C. DEWAR U199179). Naming is engraved. Sterling silver, marked "STERLING" and maker marked "BIRKS" on the reverse, on its original full-length neck ribbon, light contact, near extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, lightly soiled medal bed, case also near extremely fine.

Footnote: William Charles Dewar was born on June 27, 1921 in Summit, New Jersey, the son of William H. Dewar and Caroline S. Dewar, later of Toronto, Ontario. While living in New Jersey, he attended Summit High School, where he achieved Grade 12, before the family moved to Toronto in 1938, where he continued his education at Lawrence Park Collegiate. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in early 1943, naming his next-of-kin as his father, William H. Dewar, stating that he was Single and that his religion was United Church of Canada. His initial posting was to No. 5 Manning Depot in Lachine, Quebec, "M" Depot, where he was issued his identification card on March 16, 1943. This was followed by a posting to No. 5 Initial Training School at the Ontario Provincial School for the Deaf, in Belleville, Ontario. It was while at Belleville that U/199179 Corporal William Charles Dewar, Royal Canadian Air Force was in a "motor accident" on Highway 2 in Belleville on the night of September 29, 1943, while off-duty. He was rushed to Belleville General Hospital, where he later died from his injuries the following day, September 30th, at the age of 22. The Official RCAF Casualty Notification, dated October 14, 1943, states: "Died as the result of injuries sustained in a motor accident 29-Sept-43 on No. 2 Highway, Belleville -- off-duty -- died in Belleville General Hospital on 30-Sept-43." Dewar's remains were cremated, confirmed in a letter from Fred W. Matthews Company Limited in Toronto, dated January 19, 1946, addressed to The Secretary, Department of National Defence for Air, Ottawa, it states that: "In reply to your communication of January 18th 1946. May say the remains of Corporal W.C. Dewar were cremated at the Toronto Crematorium, 280 Winchester Street, Toronto, on Saturday October 2nd 1943." He is remembered with honour on the Ottawa Cremation Memorial, Beechwood Cemetery, in the east end of Ottawa, Ontario. It commemorates over twenty servicemen, most of whom were Canadians, who were cremated in various places, both in Canada and the United States. Facing the soldier's plot in the cemetery, this unusual memorial stands in front of a screen of pines and spruce. The Ottawa Cremation Memorial consists of a marble shelter housing a bronze plaque which reads: "IN HONOURED MEMORY OF THESE OFFICERS AND MEN WHO DIED IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND WHOSE MORTAL REMAINS WERE COMMITTED TO FIRE." Dewar is also commemorated on page 153 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.