Bill Urquhart, 1920 -- 2007
Bill was born on May 3, 1920 in Vancouver, the second son of five children to James Urquhart, a Scot from Edinburgh, and Catherine Roberts, a Londoner. His parents met during WWI. His father worked for the Vancouver Fire Dept. Bill attended McKenzie Elementary and John Oliver High School. His first job was a board marker for a Vancouver stock broker. He earned $30 a month. Bill used to rise at 5 a.m. to catch the street car for work at 6 a.m. This morning job started a lifelong habit of early rising.
In 1939 Bill went up the BC coast to work in a logging camp. When WWII broke out, Bill returned to Vancouver. He completed the air force nine-month youth training program and in November, 1940, he was sworn into the RCAF as an aero engine mechanic. After further training at St. Thomas, Ontario, and Air Navigation School at Rivers, Manitoba, he became an AC2 mechanic. He was stationed at Rivers for two years servicing Avro Anson aircraft, attaining the rank of leading aircraftsman.
Bill was sent overseas early in 1943 and was stationed with the 423rd squadron in Northern Ireland . This squadron was part of the coastal command. It was equipped with Sunderland long-range flying boats. The sight of a large convoy was exhilarating.
D-Day came and the squadron remained in Ireland, continuing its submarine patrols. While returning from an engine course in Bristol, Bill found himself in London on VE day and joined in the celebrations. Bill was in the middle of the Atlantic, returning to Canada to be posted to the Pacific, when VJ was declared.
After his discharge from the RCAF, Bill took a job in the mining industry. He worked underground in a gold mine. The strenuous work in damp conditions took their toll on a body that had been on wartime rations for several years. Bill developed a continuous cough. A street X-ray van in Vancouver confirmed TB and Bill spent time in Shaughnessy Hospital and Tranquille for treatment. He continued treatment as an out-patient for several years and became active in the Royal Canadian Legion.
Bill attended vocational school and trained as a camp accountant and timekeeper. He worked for a small company as a shipper and office administrator distributing specialty products to the construction industry. He was promoted to outside sales and moved to Edmonton where he spent five years. He was offered a job in Syracuse, NY, to service the contractors building the St. Lawrence Seaway. After a short stint working on the Deas Island (Massey) Tunnel, Bill left the company after 17 years and began his own specialty construction supply business.
In 1981, Bill's daughter Amber was born. Bill sold his business and retired in 1987 to a life of Legion, golf and tending house.
Bill is Past President of Legion Branch 44 and was a longstanding director of the TB Vets Association board. Bill worked tirelessly on the Building Committee which oversaw TVS Branch 44's move to Burnaby and the acquisition of the property on Graveley Street.
Bill passed away on July 27, 2007 after a lengthy illness.
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