Captain George Spear, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Captain George Spear, CD (Ret’d) in Ottawa, ON at the age of 97 on 19 September 2017. George was a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Second World War.

Born in 1920, George was one of the early members of 1^st Corps Field Survey Company, Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) that had been formed in Ottawa in 1936. By 1939 he was a Lance Corporal. The unit expanded upon Mobilization in 1939 and grew to seven officers and 137 other ranks. George was assigned to the processing of new recruits. In early January 1940 the unit sailed for England on the Empress of Australia. For this reason, these original ‘Survey Engineers’ called themselves the “Yacht Club Boys.” 

In England the unit was soon occupied with courses, exercises and tasks to prepare them for the invasion of Europe. George served in Italy and North Africa on loan to the British Army. In December 1944, as a trained and experienced Sergeant Major, George was returned to Canada to train replacements for the overseas Canadian survey companies. 

George joined the Canadian Army Permanent Force after the war and eventually retired in the rank of Captain.  He continued in Public Service as a civilian until his retirement.  George was an active amateur historian who delighted in perpetuating the service record of 1 Corps Field Survey Company, RCE.

George died within hours of his wife of 75 years, Jean. She was a War Bride who was working as a firefighter, air raid warden, and a corporal in the Home Guard during the war. From Canada she worked to send food packages to Londoners in need and founded the England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Canada Club (ESWIC) for war brides. Jean was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 for her work to improve the lives and welcome for other War Brides.

There will be a private family service with Military Honours at Beechwood Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of the lives of Jean and George on Friday, 13 October 2017 at the Britannia Yacht Club, 2777 Cassels St. Ottawa, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Pictures of special memories shared with Jean and George and written tributes are most welcome. Friends are invited to wear something red to remember the great love Jean and George had for each other.

Online Condolences can be sent to Beechwood Cemetery. ^{{ khOct2017}[z2kh]}