Gaydon, Robert William

Sgmn. Robert William Gaydon, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Gaydon, was 18 years of age in September, 1939, and when the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles was mobilized, he joined the ranks. He was to see almost five years of service before he met death on July 25, 1944, between Caen and Falaise, in France. He was gallant and courageous and he had a background of long and intensive training, but Canadians were to pay dearly for the gain of this sector, and Sgmn. Gaydon was among those who sacrificed his life. Now he lies in the land of Normandy he helped liberate. Born in Brantford, Robert lived for a time in the North Ward of the city and attended Victoria School. Then he removed to Cainsville and went to school there, later becoming a student at the Brantford Collegiate

Institute and Vocational School. During his school years, he was interested in sports and played hockey and baseball and he also found time to carry a morning paper route. He was christened at the Cainsville United Church and became a member of the Colborne Street Church. He worked at the Reward Shoe Store until he enlisted. As his training took him to Niagara-on-the-Lake and to Nanaimo, B.C., he became proficient at amateur boxing. Upon going overseas, Sgmn. Gaydon was transferred to the Royal Regiment of Canada.

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