Ross Pole was born in Windsor, Ontario on September 24, 1920, the son of Willard Harford Pole (born in Strathroy, Ontario) and Muriel Grace (nee Proctor, born in Lambton County, Ontario) Pole, of 208 Essex Street, Sarnia. The Pole family moved to Sarnia when Ross was a young child. Ross had two younger brothers, Douglas Campbell (see above) and Neil. Ross was a member of both the Central United Church and of the Central Centurty Club and, after attending Sarnia’s public schools, was a graduate of Sarnia Collegiate. A couple of his achievements while at high school were being Field Day Champion and being the business manager of the High School magazine. Ross also attended the University of Western Ontario. Single at the time, Ross enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in February 1942. He graduated from UWO in May 1942 with an Honour Business Administration degree. Ross received his military training at Toronto, St. Catharines, Hagersville and the AOS at Crumlin. Ross received his Navigator wings and commission as Pilot Officer at Crumlin.
In mid-May and mid-June of 1943, Ross and his brother Douglas would spend two weekend leaves in Sarnia to visit their parents Willard and Muriel Pole. Ross would graduate in early August of 1943 from the Crumlin No. 1 Air Observers School, R.C.A.F., London, Ontario as an air navigator. Ross went overseas in September 1943, receiving his operational training in England. He was assigned to be a member of RCAF #419 Moose Squadron “Moosa Aswayita” (Beware the moose), which comprised Lancaster bombers. Ross was also promoted to the rank of Flying Officer Navigator.
One week after the invasion of Europe, on June 13, 1944, Flying Officer-Navigator Ross Pole’s Lancaster aircraft KB714 was shot down near Vourse Lette, France during a night raid against the marshalling yards at Cambrai, France, during the Battle of Normandy. This was Flying Officer Ross Pole’s 5th operation. In mid-June of 1944, parents Willard and Muriel Pole in Sarnia would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing them that their son, Flying Officer Ross Pole, was reported missing on June 13, after active operations over enemy territory. No other details were given. In mid-July of 1944, Flying Officer Ross Pole’s name would appear on the Department of National Defence for Air casualty list as, missing on active service after air operations overseas. Ross Pole would later be officially listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes, presumed dead, overseas (France). Along with Ross Pole, also killed were Flying Officer’s R.N. Wilson, C.R. McOrmond, D.J. McMullen, Pilot Officer’s M.E. Gates, R.W. Francis, and Sgt. C.C. White. Twenty-three year old Ross Pole is buried in Meharicourt Communal Cemetery, Somme, France British Plot, Grave 38. Four months after Ross Pole’s death, his parents Willard and Muriel Pole in Sarnia would receive news that they had lost another son, Flying Officer Douglas Pole of the RCAF, who was shot down over Germany.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, M, N, R, S, 2C, 2D