This site at the southwest corner of Rosseau Avenue at Day Street in Transcona was named for William Alexander “Billy” McCann. Born on 11 October 1921, the only son of Alexander Starret McCann (1887-1969) and Florence McCann (?-1963), he attended school in Transcona. A noted marksman, he won numerous medals at competition, was an active curler, and played with the Transcona Tigers (1940) in the Manitoba Intermediate Rugby Football League. During the Second World War, he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force in January 1941 and was deployed overseas in October of the same year. While working as an Air Gunner with the 115th Squadron, he was shot down over Germany on 28 June 1942 and was killed. He was buried with full military honours at Marham Cemetery in Norfolk, United Kingdom.
Billy McCann Memorial Park (October 2014)
Source: Nathan KramerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89812, W97.00297
denoted by symbol on the map above
Attestation papers, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada.
“Jim Nichol storm centre in intermediate final,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 October 1940, page 24.
“Sergt. McCann dies in action over Germany,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 July 1942, page 5.
“20 casualties are reported by RCAF,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 July 1942, page 14.
“Schools plan visiting day in Transcona,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 November 1946, page 10.
“Transcona news,” Winnipeg Tribune, 24 May 1947, page 4.
“Edna Luney new Miss Transcona,” Winnipeg Free Press, 23 February 1948, page 7.
“Transcona notes,” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 May 1952, page 37.
Obituary [Alexander Starret McCann], Winnipeg Free Press, 16 August 1969, page 33.
Second World War Service Files, Library and Archives of Canada.
Marham Cemetery, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 25 April 2021
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