Robert Laird Cameron had a family that played an important role in his life. His wife, Verna Ruth Moxon Strachan, was his partner and companion, she lived from 1919 to 1981 and lived to be 62 years old. The couple had a son named Robert Stanley Alexander Cameron, who was born in 1938 and passed away in 2002. Robert Stanley Alexander Cameron was said to have been survived by his wife Shirley of Cold Lake, his two sons Brad (Kim) of Vancouver and Kevin (Arlene) of Vancouver, as well as his daughter Lisa Cameron (Chris Graham) of Cold Lake Alberta. His memorial tributes were to be donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation as to “Continue the family tradition”.

Robert Laird Cameron served in the permanent force for 10 years, for three years he was stationed in Halifax and the remaining seven in Ottawa with the Canadian army. He completed all his required courses and training in Halifax, NS and Petawawa, Ontario. He agreed to extend his contract on September 1st, 1939, in Ottawa, Ontario, but unfortunately, he couldn’t serve for the whole 3 extra years because he died in 1941. He served in war for a total of 600 days which is equal to 20 complete periods (he got paid 7.50 per period) he made 150$ plus an additional 5 dollars for service overseas. Before going to war, Robert Laird Cameron was an engineer, which was useful in war because he did some work on planes and boats. He was never severely injured or admitted to the hospital. He was enlisted in Halifax, NS on April 29th, 1931. The unit he was enlisted to was field works instructor class one.

Lance Corporal Robert Laird Cameron died on May 1st, 1941. He died while on route to the UK when the ship he was on was sunk by a nazi submarine. He was then presumed dead. He died at the young age of 29 years 1 month and 24 days old. His grave is at the Beechwood cemetery, in Ottawa, Ontario. You can find his Plot in section 19. 

“On June 19, 2003, the Government of Canada designated September 3rd of each year as a day to acknowledge the contribution of Merchant Navy Veterans.” - (“Robert Laird Cameron”)

Robert Laird Cameron est disparu dans la naufrage du S.S. Nerissa le 30 avril 1941. Il est mort le 20 mai 1941. Malheureusement, seulement 84 personnes ont survécu à ce désastre. Le S.S. Narissa a été coulé par un u-boat allemand. Il transportait les troupes canadiennes vers la Grande-Bretagne. Son épouse a été informée de sa disparition le 1er et a été déclaré présumé mort le 20 mai 1941.

Il avait 29 ans au moment de sa mort. Il est reconnu avec l'inscription de son nom sur le mémorial pour les soldats perdu en mer à Halifax, et il a une pierre tombale au cimetière Beechwood, à Ottawa. Aussi son église l’a mis à l'honneur en mettant l’inscription de son nom sur le mur. Il a laissé tous ses biens et argent à son épouse et son fils, qui ont déménagé sur la rue Elgin.  

'If we do preserve it, we honour them, and when we in our turn pass on, we will know that behind us lives a generation of free men and of free women to be the keepers of this great heritage of ours - Canada.'

- Ian A. McPhee, former student at GCI, 1937.