William James Louth

Born in Norval, on October 18, 1921, Jimmie was the son of Walter Louth (Veteran WW1) and Sadie Shearer. The 1931 Census reveals that Jimmie, his parents, his brothers Walter and John and a sister Edna lived with their paternal grandparents in Norval. Jimmie attended Georgetown Public School from 1926-1935 and as a teen attended the old Georgetown High School (1935-1937) which stood imposingly behind where the current high school stands now. At one point Jimmie’s parents lived at 16 Union St. Georgetown and it is possible that Jimmie may have lived here with them. Jimmie worked at S.A. Morris in Norval as an Apiarist (1937-1942), leaving this job to join the RCAF. He completed the Pilot Observer Course from November 18, 1941 to February 18, 1942 and enlisted on February 21, 1942 in Hamilton. He was an RCAF trainee when he married Emily Hadley of Glen Williams on September 18, 1942.

On his enlistment papers he reported playing OHA Jr hockey, tennis, rugby and baseball and swimming. He stated he had zero flying experience except for 1 hour as a passenger. The family belonged to the United Church and they had no telephone. The RCAF Interview Report noted “this lad has fair physical condition and temper and is mentally fit. He has better than average intelligence, a pleasing personality, is a good sturdy type, and should make good aircrew material”. Jimmie received his wings in April 1943 and went overseas in May of that same year.

Jimmie was a bombardier on a Halifax Bomber in the Iroquois Squadron, and at age 23 was shot down by flak at Imsum, 7 miles northwest of Bremerhaven during a raid on Magdeburg. One member of the crew survived and was captured…unfortunately this was not Jimmie who was reported missing on January 22, 1944, and was presumed dead. He had taken part in 30 raids over Germany and occupied Europe.

Flight Sergeant James Louth gave his young life for God and Country and is buried in the Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany.

He is commemorated on the Georgetown Cenotaph at Remembrance Park, at Georgetown District High School and at St. John’s United Church.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on. Information taken from Canadianwarproject.ca , Newspapers.com and Ancestry.ca

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