Sergeant Richard “Dick” Cowperthwaite was born in Brantford, Ontario on 12 September 1926, the son of John Henry Cowperthaite and Susan Jane Rowland.

He enlisted twice in the Army at the age of 16, once in Ontario and then in Regina, where he “ran away” from home to sign up. He was released when his true age was discovered and Dick eventually found his way to the Navy.

However, he soon found his way back to the Army and, following WWII, joined The Queen’s Own Rifles, eventually reaching the rank of sergeant by 1952.

After serving in the infantry company for several years, he transferred to the Bugle Band in the 1960s, where he served the Regiment for several years. A genial man with a winning smile, he was well-thought of by his fellows in the Band.

Sergeant Cowperthwaite died on 4 September 2002, just eight days before his 76th birthday and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Markham, Ontario.

He left his widow, Rachel, a daughter, Marion and son-in-law Ivan, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.