George Loney was born in London, Ontario on April 4, 1916, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Loney of London, Ontario. The Loney family came to Sarnia in the early 1920s. George was educated at the Point Edward public school. George was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Parish. Prior to enlisting, he was employed at Electric Auto-Lite Limited. In July of 1937, George married Theresa McGinn (born March 1912) who was originally from Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Mary McGinn, originally from England, living in Hamilton, Ontario. George and Theresa were married at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Sarnia, on July 31, 1937. At the ceremony, Marion Shortt of Point Edward served as bridesmaid and Orville Toole of Sarnia served as the best man. George and Theresa Loney lived at 240 Cobden Street, Sarnia. They would have three children together: Larry (Lawrence Joseph born 1938), Douglas and Marie.
George enlisted in the Canadian Army on April 20, 1942, and he received training at Chatham, Petawawa, Vancouver, Terrace and Wainwright. As a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery, 7 Medium Regiment with the rank of Gunner, he went overseas in August of 1943. One year after arriving overseas, George Loney would lose his life.
On August 8, 1944, George Loney died in France during the Battle of Normandy. In mid-August of 1944, Theresa Loney in Sarnia would receive a telegram informing her that her husband, Gunner George Loney was killed in action in France on August 8. At the time of George’s death, he left behind his wife, Theresa, and their three young children: Larry, age five; Douglas, age four; and daughter Marie, age two. Twenty-eight year old George Loney is buried in Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Calvados, France, Grave XI.H.16.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, J, L, N, 2C, 2D