Lester Finlayson

Lester Finlayson, [ca. 1941]. City of Richmond Archives, photograph # 1998 17 1

Birth: February 3, 1921 in Calgary, Alberta

Death: July 6, 1941 in Sydney, Nova Scotia

Service: WWII

Service Number: Unknown

Biography:
Lester Finlayson moved to Richmond in 1925 with his family from Calgary, Alberta. He attended English School, Bridgeport School and Richmond High School where he graduated at the age of 17 with his Junior Matriculation. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Finlayson returned to their native Scotland in 1938 accompanied by their four children. Lester immediately joined the British Merchant Marine service. He served on convoy runs to the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic, serving as 1st Radio Officer on the SS Alresford.

On July 6, 1941 a group of sailors took out a small skiff for a sail in Halifax harbour. The skiff capsized in a sudden wind and two of the party were drowned. Lester Finlayson left to mourn his sisters Annie and May, a brother Ian and his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Finlayson, May and Ian returned to Richmond in November 1942 on board the Queen Mary. Mrs. J.L. Stewart (Annie) remained in Edinburgh but eventually rejoined the family in Canada.