DAVID F. G. ROULEAU

Rouleau felt a need to support his country’s efforts in the Second World War. Motivated by patriotism and honour, on July 20th, 1940, Rouleau enlisted in the Canadian military. At the time, he was still a university student, living in residence at the University of Toronto. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and, after some training went on to become a Flight Sergeant and member of 131 squadron. While in England, Rouleau trained on a Supermarine Spitfire, which was a common type of military plane at the time. Ten months into his service, he was promoted to Pilot Officer. Shortly after that, he flew to Gibraltar, a stop on his way to assist in the defense of Malta. However, on June 3rd, before reaching Malta, Rouleau, along with three other pilots, were shot down by German forces.

David Francis Gaston Rouleau died in service during World War II. He was killed at 1056 hours on the 3rd of July in transit over the Atlantic en route to Malta, his Spitfire shot down by Unteroffizier Heinrich Sedlmeier approximately 60-65 km due southeast of Pantelleria. This is notable, as David F. G. Rouleau’s aircraft was the first one Sedlmeier had shot down, though he downed another around 10 minutes after the fact. He died in 1942, at the age of 24 years. 

There are a few memorials to him scattered around Ottawa, with one notably residing at 29 Lisgar Street, containing much valuable information about his life, relatives and tragic end. This memorial is inside the Lisgar Collegiate Institute, which he attended, and thus the students of today are able to see the plaque and read his story. Rouleau is now buried in the Malta Memorial cemetery near Floriana, next to the King’s Gate entrance to Valletta, which is marked by a large golden eagle that crests the column. The remains of his father and mother remain in Ottawa, under a grave in the Beechwood Cemetery.