November is a good time to pause and remember the life of Gordon Rosebrugh Holder – a young St. George man who served his country and was killed in Second World War.

His story is told as part of the McMaster University Alumni Honour Roll Project. This project has been lead by Charles M. Johnston, Professor Emeritus of History, who was one of the first speakers to address the South Dumfries Historical Society after it was formed.

The Honour Roll Project seeks to tell the story behind every name on the McMaster Honour Roll.  We have our own plaques for those who served and who died in the Wars here in St. George.  You will find Mr. Holder’s name on the front of the Memorial Hall.

Gordon was born on January 31st, 1921 and died on February 19th, 1945.   His story does not have a happy ending, but Dr. Johnston does a nice job of telling the story of his short life and the context in which it was lived.  Many people will be able to relate in some way to the young boy going to school in what is now called the St.George Old School and attending McMaster University.

What is harder to imagine is having all his plans put on hold to join a fight overseas – and then having those plans permanently ended.

For more about the Project, visit the website at: