George Johnston
Classmates George Johnston and Frank Boles served their country. George was gassed and blinded at Hill 70 and Frank never left France alive.
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Enrollment in the Law School was low during the war years, but soon swelled to over 700 students with the declaration of peace. Returning veterans took advantage of the benefits offered by the Veteran's Rehabilitation Act to receive a post-secondary education.
The Obiter Dicta publishes lists of individuals serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, messages of encouragement from Dean Falconbridge, tongue-in-cheek editorials about 'What to Do in an Air Raid,' and ads for Victory Bonds. This advertisement appeared in the April 1943 issue.
Walter Leishman McGregor, Class of 1947. On the morning of August 19, 1942, Walter McGregor received his orders to lead troops from the Essex Scottish Regiment onto the beach at Dieppe. They ran into hail of German artillery fire, and hours later, McGregor was taken captive. He spent two and a half years as a prisoner of war. During this time, the Law Society of Upper Canada continued to send him law books so he could continue his studies. At the end of the war, Walter resumed his law degree at Osgoode, passed the Bar, and spent most of his life practicing general commercial law in Kingsville and Windsor. He is also credited by his peers as leading the effort to put up a memorial at Dieppe in recognition of the valiant efforts of veterans and their fallen comrades for the 50th anniversary.
Canadian Women's Army Corps corporal Marie Ballard studying law in the student's library at Osgoode Hall. Thousands of Canadian women served as non-combatants in all three branches of the Canadian Forces.