April 27, 1917 - July 24, 1943
Charles Gordon Glover, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, was the son of Charles Albert Glover and Elizabeth Edith (nee Kines) Glover. He had three brothers, F/L John Edwin Glover, instructor at Pearce, Alberta, LAC Alvin James Glover, Lethbridge, Alberta, and Reginald Arthur Glover, 16, at home. He also had one sister, Edith Alberta Pasquill (1913-2004)l, living in Trail, BC. The family attended the United Church. He had lived in BC for fifteen years.
Charles, known as Gordon, attended Capilano School then one year at North Vancouver High School until 1933. He worked for Mitchel Foley Ltd. In delivering for two years, then with Escott Towing Co. Ltd. as a deckhand from 1935-1936. He was a boat operator until 1941 when he enlisted. “I have operated a diesel powered 32 foot tow boat for five years an am interested in diesel engineering.” He liked football, baseball, and ping-pong.
He chose to first enlist with the Canadian Army on January 10, 1941. “Can run a diesel engine, school cadets North Vancouver.” His service number was K-575232, with the rank of Private. He had 30 days’ training at Gordon Head as a rifleman.
He then enlisted with the RCAF in July 1941, wishing to be a motorboat crewman. “Husky, slow. Good general appearance.” He was accepted into the RCAF in September 1941.
Gordon stood 5’6 ½” tall and weighed 172 pounds. He had blue eyes, brown hair and a medium complexion. “Athletic.” It was noted he had a borderline obstruction at nostril.
On October 23, 1942, Gordon married Muriel Veila Platt, 21, in Vancouver. Muriel was the beneficiary to a life insurance policy.
“An efficient tradesman, reliable and keen. Very good character.”
Gordon was taken on strength at Vancouver until March 15, 1942, then was sent to Victoria, British Columbia, returning to a posting in Vancouver, all as a standard motorboat crewman. He served on the MV Sekani, the Haida, and the BC Star.
On an Estates Branch form, “Previously reported ‘missing’ July 24, 1943. Life rafts only. Wreckage found. Presumed vessel sunk. Marine operations RCAF vessel BC Star left Vancouver, BC, 0100 hours. Now ‘presumed dead’ July 24, 1943 for official purposes.”A newspaper article stated that this was the first trip aboard the BC Star for Gordon.
Please see links below for more information about the BC Star.
A letter addressed to Gordon’s mother in early May 1944 stated, “May the same spirit which prompted your son to offer his life give you renewed courage.”
Muriel received a letter in October 1955 informing her that since Gordon had no known grave, his name would be included on the Ottawa Memorial.
LINKS: