Ken was born in England in 1922 and emigrated to Canada with his parents and older brother, Norman when he was a year old. He grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, and loved playing in the countryside catching frogs and making rabbit snares. As a teenager, he joined a cadet reserve with his friends, and when the call to War came he was ready to enlist. He was only 17, which was too young to join the war, but he lied about his age so he could enlist with his friends. His lie was discovered and his application was rejected. He begged his mother to give her consent so he could go to War. She initially refused but relented when he argued he'd just enlist next year, and then he would not be with his friends and older brother who would watch over him.
Ken and Norm left Canada and arrived in England to complete two years of basic training in preparation for WWII.

While stationed in England to complete basic training, Ken had the opportunity to participate in festivities such as wartime dances. Ken and his comrades were traveling on a train when they saw a group of young women also dressed up, going to the dance. Our favorite family story entails Ken approaching Norma and asking if she would dance with him when they arrived at the dance. Coyly she declined, laughing and playing with him- intrigued he pursued Norma and they spent the evening dancing the night away.
Norma was a WAAF, an auxiliary member of the British Airforce, and was an active member in the War. She described flagging war planes into the airport and performing mechanical repairs to the British war planes. She was beautiful and clever, and Ken fell instantly in love. They were married shortly before Ken's deployment into the Battle of Dieppe. 

Ken's War story was recorded on Veteran Stories- the Memory Project.
He was shipped out and travelled to the beaches of Dieppe, where the majority of his comrades were gunned down. He tried to evade the showering bullets by jumping into the ocean; while swimming, he was shot while trying to get on a boat. Eventually, he floated back to the beach where he was captured and transported to a Prisoner of War camp. His brother Norm was also captured, and they remained imprisoned for the duration of the war.
Ken's family received a telegraph notifying them of his death. Norma, pregnant with their first child, refused to believe it. She gave birth to Lillian a few months later and held onto the hope that Ken would return to them.
When WWII ended, Ken and Norm were released. Ken immediately went to England to meet his wife and now three year old daughter. Rejoiced, they were together again. Ken brought his wife and daughter back to Canada with him where they settled in his hometown in Stoney Creek, Hamilton Ontario. 

Ken and Norma went on to have two more children. Lillian, Verena and the baby, Kenny Jr. They grew up in golden years, Ken was an electrician as well as the owner of a gas station. Norma enjoyed crafts, was fabulous at knitting and sewing and enjoyed arranging flowers. At one point, she ran her own flower shop. There were many family stories of the children's exploits and Ken provided his family with a happy childhood.
Ken and Norma retired and lived in Florida, becoming snowbirds. They wanted to be closer to Lillian and Verena, and their grandchild Carene, so moved to Vancouver Island.
Ken joined the choir and sang all over Victoria. He had a lovely voice and frequently serenaded his family with songs. He could yodel better than any cowboy, and loved to tease his kids and grandkids with funny songs:
"Gee kid you're a funny one, you got a face like a pickled onion!"

Just over three years ago, Ken lost the love of his life, Norma. They were together 78 years- more than a lot of people get to live! Theirs was a true love story, and he was devastated when she was gone. Ken went into the hospital in August, 2019 and then into a care home. His daughter Lillian never left his side, attending the care home daily to be by his side. One of the last things she said to him was "mom is waiting for you, follow mom and she will lead you safely to heaven"... hours later, Ken died peacefully in his sleep.

Our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather will be sorely missed- good bye sweet man, go be with your love again. XO