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Peterson, Sidney Glen

Date of birth:
December 18th, 1922 (Winnipeg/Manitoba, Canada)
Date of death:
May 25th, 1944 (Hank/North Brabant, The Netherlands)
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Cemetery Jonkerbos
Plot: 24. Row: J. Grave: 2-4.
Service number:
J/14208
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Sidney was born on December 18 1922 in Winnipeg, the son of Lawrence Alexander Peterson (Icelandic) and Ethel Peterson nee Badger (English) of Winnipeg. They were married on January 22 1916 in Winnipeg.

He was the brother of RCAF F/O Lawrence H. Peterson age 21 who was also killed in action on Friday October 30 1942 and he was missed then in Egypt. He is therefore mentioned at the Alamein Memorial on column 263.
His other brothers were Warren Senior, Clive Julius and Roy Eric Peterson.
He was a clerk and member of the Anglican Church. His sports were rugby, lacrosse, roller skating and fencing and his hobby was rifle shooting.

He served as a commanding officer from January 1939-July 1941 with the Fort Garry Horse Cadet Corps. He enlisted on July 25 1941 then the RCAF in Winnipeg and he went on November 5 1942 thereafter overseas to the UK.
Sidney was killed in action on Thursday May 25 1944 age 21 due to a crash in the Oranjepolder near Hank before or after an attack on Aachen in Germany.

The other fallen RCAF crew member was F/Sgt Joseph T.L LeBlanc age28 in grave 24-J-2-4.
The other fallen RAF Volunteer Reserve crew members were P/O Eric B. Wilson (South Rhodesia) in grave 24-J-2-4, Sgt William J. White age 22 in grave 24-J-2-4, F/O Norman A. Marston (DFC) age 24 in grave 24-J-2-4, F/Sgt Joseph Henderson age 33 in grave 24-J-2-4 and Sgt George H. Butler age 21 in grave 24-J-5.

On his headstone: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT HE GIVE HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS

There also is a monument near the crash site with the names of the fallen crew members.

He served with the 78 (R.A.F.) Royal Canadian Air Force.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 11th, 1942
Air Observer Badge
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Unit:
No. 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
May 28th, 1945
Memorial Cross
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Unit:
No. 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
December 6th, 1946
RCAF Operational Wings

Sources