Remembering Vernon Earle Mayhew

Remembrance Day is a time where we think about the Canadian heroes that are in our lives. With two World Wars and countless battles, many of us know at least one individual that has confronted war and some of us lost countless loved ones. These victims of war all have their own personal stories with some being left behind for their loved ones to tell. On this Remembrance Day, Lydia Ham, a Coaticook local, recounts the story of her cousin Vernon Earle Mayhew.

Flight Lieutenant RCAF Pilot, Vernon Earle Mayhew, Lennoxville, Que, Canada, born 1917, was tragically “killed in action” over the Gulf of Newfoundland by German submarines June 5, 1943, World War Two, at age 26.

He was the youngest of three children of Horace Frederick Mayhew and Sadie Pearl Johnson, residents of Park St. Lennoxville, Que.

This young person who had so much promise in life, like countless others, was wiped out by war.

He was recipient of the Canadian Volunteer Medal, the Victory Medal, and the Memory Cross. At Bishop’s University he had earned the Lieutenant-governor Medal for Quebec. These medals have been donated to the University and the Museum at The Hut in Lennoxville, Que.

In my generation, much later the sad story continues: Before Vern left home earlier in 1943 to continue duty, he had purchased Christmas gifts for his family. So distraught at the news “killed in action,” his family had not been able to even open these gifts as Christmas came.

It was only in the 1990s, when I was asked to settle an estate, that I learned of more details. These Christmas gifts were discovered; a pair of hand-knit gloves and a pink lace and satin lingerie gown that holds so much history!! Now at 70 years later, I am sure there are many stories out there that have affected many individuals. These facts have reached from one generation to another, made us sad, and can we change lives?

My upbringing taught me the golden rule: do to others what you would have them do to you! Is that so difficult? We know there is still war that destroys lives of twelve and fourteen years old in the Middle Eastern countries because of inhumanity to man!

Submitted by,

Lydia Ham

(This gentleman was my mother’s double cousin)

Name: Vernon Earle Mayhew

Hometown: Lennoxville, Quebec

Age when enlisted: Not available.

Regiment: Pilot Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force

Served:

A few words about him:

He was killed in action on June 5, 1943 over the St. Lawrence River. His few items were returned to the family, Horace and Sadie (Johnson) Mayhew of Lennoxville, and have now been donated to the Veterans Museum at “The Hut,” A.N.A.F. Unit 318, Lennoxville.