Flying Officer Ross George McKessock

Birth: August 11, 1920 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Death: June 30, 1943 in the English Channel, near Le Havre, France
Service: WWII
Service Number: J8149

Biography:
Ross George McKessock moved to Richmond, prior to 1925, with his parents, and attended Bridgeport Public School from 1925 to 1933 and then attended Richmond High School from 1933 to 1937, graduating with his Junior Matriculation. While at school he played football and was known as "Fooz". He completed his Senior Matriculation at Magee High School in 1940 after his parents moved to Vancouver. Ross had previously applied to the Royal Canadian Air Force for a commission, in 1939, but was ineligible due to insufficient education. He worked for Boeing aircraft of Canada from November 1940 to February 1941 as an assembly fitter.

Ross enlisted in the RCAF on February 10, 1941 in Vancouver and was immediately posted to Brandon, Manitoba. He was single when he enlisted, but later married Jean Wilson Graham of Vancouver, in Toronto, on December 24, 1941. He was posted to bases in Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan for training.  He embarked for England in December 1942.

On June 30, 1943, Flying Officer McKessock was piloting Mustang aircraft #AM 196 at a low altitude over the English Channel close to Le Havre, when his plane went down. He was initially listed as missing - presumed killed. His body was washed ashore at Le Havre on July 16, 1943. He was buried at the Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France, leaving his wife and infant child to mourn his passing.

History of the Road Name (McKessock Avenue and McKessock Place):

• Council Resolution to adopt road name (McKessock Avenue): Council Minutes February 4, 1946, res. 8711, pg. 45
• Council Resolution to adopt road name (McKessock Place): Council Meeting Monday, August 22, 1994