B162294 Rifleman William Kachafanas was born in Campbellford, Ontario, on 20 February 1922. He was the son of Demitri James W. Kachafanas (a veteran of WWI) and Vasiliki Chrisovergis, both of whom were born in Greece. He had one younger brother and one younger sister. He belonged to the Greek Orthodox church and spoke and read English and Greek.

Kachafanas completed elementary and high school in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and then attended Mount Alison University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. While at Mount A, he served in the Canadian Officer Training Corps from 20 September 1940 to 1 September 1943.

He worked briefly as a Meteorologist’s Assistant with the Canadian Department of Transport when he enlisted in Toronto on 14 June 1944 and trained in Brantford and Camp Borden.

He reported for duty in the United Kingdom on 10 December 1944, arrived in North West Europe on 25 Jan 1945 and was posted to The Queen’s Own Rifles on 1 February 1945.

Rifleman Kachafanas was killed during Operation Blockbuster on 26 February 1945 aged 23. He is buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference VIII. D. 7. His mother received his war gratuity pay of $88.86 (worth approximately $1,562.78 in 2024.)

His family had the following epitaph added to his grave marker:

HIS FOES WERE THINE
HE KEPT US FREE
MAY GOD MAKE HIM WELCOME
THIS IS HE