Howard McRae was born September 1, 1923, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Howard McRae senior, of 268 Cameron Street, Sarnia. His mother would pass away prior to Howard’s death. In 1940, Howard was still living at 268 Cameron Street and working as a fireman. Howard McRae enlisted in the Canadian Army in December 1942, and went overseas in July 1943, as a member of the Lincoln & Welland Regiment, R.C.I.C.. The war in Europe ended in early May of 1945 and war with Japan ended in mid-August of 1945.
Howard McRae served in both France and Belgium. On November 9, 1945, Howard McRae was killed as a result of a motor accident in Holland. Three months after the war ended, in mid-November of 1945, Howard McRae senior in Sarnia would receive a telegram from the director of records in Ottawa informing him that his son, Private Howard J. McRae has died on November 9 as a result of a motor accident overseas. No other details were contained in the telegram, but it advised that details would be given in a letter to follow. Father Howard McRae senior had last heard from his son several weeks prior, where at the time, he was stationed in Holland. Twenty-two year old Private Howard McRae is buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands, Grave XVI.B.2.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, J, L, N, 2C