Sergeant William McGee B-8418

William (Bill) McGee was born in Toronto on March 25, 1919. He grew up on Roseneath Avenue in East York, then the family moved to the Willowdale neighbourhood of North York. He completed grade 11, then got a job as a grocery clerk at Dominion and Loblaws stores. Part of his responsibilities included doing grocery deliveries by bicycle. 

It’s said that “the third time is the charm”, and that was true for William. Twice he tried to enlist, and twice he was rejected due to a heart murmur, and he was too light (118 lbs). However, he finally was accepted, enlisted on May 28, 1941 in Toronto, and was assigned to the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corp with the 2nd Canadian Division. 

Basic training took place at Camp Borden near Barrie and Fort York in Toronto. Six months later he shipped out, on Remembrance Day 1941, from Halifax, arriving in Liverpool on November 27th. He stayed in England for much of the war, where he met, and married, Winifred Dell, (who was serving in the British Air Force) while on leave on Feb. 19, 1944. 

Sgt. McGee drove and repaired all kinds of army vehicles including tanks. He delivered many to the front lines, providing battle support at Normandy, Groningen, Nijmegan, Arnhem, Appledorn, and finally into Germany. He also saw service in France with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, driving a tank onto Juno Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was in Hilversum, near Amsterdam, on the day the Netherlands was liberated, May 5, 1945. 

For his service in World War 2 he received the 1939-45 Star, the France and Germany Star, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, and clasp. He was discharged on October 16, 1945, and returned to Canada. Winifred came to Canada as a war bride, travelling on the RMS Lady Nelson.

They lived in Toronto where William worked in the grocery business. He also worked for the TTC as a streetcar driver, and North York Hydro driving trucks. He and Winifred raised four children: Donna, Susan, Bill, and Linda. He was a member of his local Royal Canadian Legion and the Veterans Club. He loved to garden and maintained a flawless front lawn, so much so that his family were forbidden to walk on it! His vegetables and flowers were also spectacular. 

We thank him for his service.

We will remember them.