Egerton Street Baptist Church

We are very pleased to have the assistance of Pastor James Gibson, moderator of Middlesex - Lambton Associations of Baptist Churches and Major J. Wilcox Duncan Senior Protestant Chaplain for M.D. 1. Both these gentlemen accepted our invitation to assist in our dedication service.

Our chimes are being dedicated to the Glory of God and in loving memory of three young men who made the supreme sacrifice during the last great war. A brief sketch of their lives follows:

PILOT OFFICER GORDON FLETCHER

Gordon was a native of London, who received his education at Chesley Avenue Public School and Beck Collegiate. He enlisted in the RCAF in January 1941, and received his wireless gunner's wing at Fingal in November 1941. He was wounded in bombing operations over Berlin in January 1943. He was one of the first to receive appointment with the famous Pathfinder's Squadron. About June first 1943, he received his commission and on June 12 was reported missing. His bomber failed to arrive at its base after an attack on Boechen, Germany.

PILOT OFFICER JACK RYCKMAN

Jack was born April 20, 1921 and was shot down near Malta on April 20, 1942 on his 21st birthday. He attended the local public schools and matriculated from Beck Collegiate. In June 1940 he joined the RCAF and about a year later graduated as Sgt. Pilot from the Flying Training School at Dunnville. He sailed for England on his 20th birthday. While in England he flew with the Spitfire 403 Squadron. He was flight leader for the attack on the German Battleships Schamhorse and Gneisenau and during the action shot down two German aircraft. He was killed during the siege of Malta.

SERGEANT FREDERICK VERNE STEPHENS

Sergeant Frederick Verne Stephens or "Ted" as he was more commonly known, was a native of London having been born here on September 28, 1923. He took his final schooling at Adam Beck Collegiate and graduated from the school after completing his training. He enlisted with the RCAF in Toronto, and about a year later on December 7, 1943 was killed in a plane crash while finishing his training. The accident occurred just two days before his graduation. He received his wings and sergeant's stripes posthumously.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13.