James Dixon McPherson

Fingerprint Expert James Dixon McPherson

James Dixon McPherson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the youngest child of John and Elizabeth McPherson. The family emigrated to Toronto five years later, and McPherson grew up on Woodfield Road. After attending the Eastern High School of Commerce, McPherson began his police career as a clerk with the Toronto Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau. McPherson rose to the position of Fingerprint Expert, and after four years of impressive service, was hired by the York Township Police as head of their Identification Bureau in 1939. McPherson married and lived with his wife Dorothy at 33 Hartley Ave.

Immediately prior to taking a position with York Township Police, McPherson enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, The Toronto Sottish Regiment (Machine Gun) in October 1940. McPherson completed a 30-day training program, anticipating future military service.

On November 28th, 1941, McPherson joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Special Reserve as an aircrew recruit attending part-time training and instruction. In August 1943, McPherson was promoted to Leading Aircraftman and was selected for pilot training. McPherson was then posted to No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School in Pendleton, Ontario, where he began flying Tiger Moth training aircraft.

On September 4th, 1943, McPherson took off on a training flight with an instructor pilot. While flying southeast of the airbase, McPherson's plane struck hydro lines and crashed into the Sixth Nation River, one mile north of Riceville. A local farmer witnessed the crash and attempted to save the men, but the water was too deep – McPherson and his instructor drowned.

Fingerprint Expert James Dixon McPherson lies buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario.

Name: James Dixon McPherson
Badge: N/A
Rank: Fingerprint Expert
Date of Birth: Nov. 4, 1918
Age: 24
Length of Service: 5 Years
Date of Death: Sept. 4, 1943

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