B64756 Rifleman Ernest Arnold Cunningham was born on January 30, 1923, in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Ernest Carl Cunningham and Grace Gordon “Daisy” Scott. He had two brothers (who would join the RAF Ferry Command) and three sisters.

He attended Carlton Public School, and Western School of Commerce and was a member of High Park United Church.

Cunningham was working as a shipper at Ramsay Business Systems when he enlisted in the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada on 4 June 1941 and the 1st Battalion (Active) in September 1941. He trained in Brantford, Borden and Kingston.

He arrived in England on 11 June 1942 where he undertook further training before being posted to The Queen’s Own Rifles on 6 Nov 1942.

Rifleman Cunningham was in Able Company and died of wounds on D-Day, 6 June 1944 at Juno Beach, Bernières-sur-mer. He is buried in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference V. C. 3.