Barber, Cecil S.

F/S Cecil S. Barber, 23 year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Barber, 23 Aberdeen Ave., died while flying in the service of the R.C.A.F., on July 10, 1942, cutting short a pilot's career that began with his enlistment on May 23, 1941. F/S Barber is mourned by his family, and her engagement to him is a proud and lovely memory of his fianc?e, Miss Inez Warner. His life and hopes were best pictured by his dearest friend, L/Bdr. Walter Dowden, who was himself to lay down his life for his country. The boys grew up together and in a letter home, L/Bdr. Dowden, grief-stricken when he received the news of his chum's death, reminisced on their lives together. It was a wonderful description of Canadian boyhood, and here are some excerpts: "We both loved swimming and summer mornings used to see us having a grand time down at the old Indian Hole. Sunday nights we were at church to make up for it, and would take up the collection together, proudly keeping in step as we marched up the aisle. At Collegiate we both joined the Cadets and later a militia unit. In the summer at camp, being in the Dragoons, we had horses to ride and had loads of fun thinking up foolish names for them. Time went by and we became active down at our Church (Holy Trinity). Together we made the men's doubles team at our tennis club. We entered into the young people's group, Cecil making for himself a reputation for his liveliness and good humor causing everyone who knew him to like him. We were in a church play together. He so enjoyed making other people laugh. Then Boy Scouts were organized at Holy Trinity, and we became leaders. The lads all but worshipped Cecil, and together we had one of the best groups in the city. We were confirmed together, and I still remember very clearly the Bishop asking the Lord's blessing upon us. Cecil loved the job he was doing. His spirit and enthusiasm was a splendid match for the strenuous and daring service".

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