Private Edward David Aziz
Edward (Eddie) David Aziz was born November 12th, 1925, in Trenton, Ontario. His parents Gattas and Mamie immigrated from Damascus, Syria to Toronto when they were teenagers. His father became a well-known chef at Toronto’s King Edward Hotel, while his mother was a stay-at-home mother to their 10 children. Eddie was the seventh child being raised in a very busy household. Eddie graduated from Technical high School in Toronto, Ontario.
Eddie began his military journey when he enlisted on February 1st, 1944. He was first sent to basic training for rations and quarters. On March 31st, 1944, Eddie attended the Basic Training Centre in Brantford, Ontario, where he received Infantry soldier skills training. He was then transferred to the District Depot in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Eddie was looking for a challenge, so he requested a transfer to the Paratroopers. He was taken on strength at the Parachute School, where he received additional training. Eddie passed the rigorous program and qualified as a Paratrooper on September 2nd, 1944. Eddie began receiving an additional $1.50 per diem as he continued training at the Canadian Parachute Training Centre.
Eddie was then taken on strength overseas with the Canadian General Reinforcement Unit on November 21st, 1944, in the UK. He was later struck off strength from the Canadian General Reinforcement Unit and attached to the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in the UK, where he trained with the 6th Airborne Division in preparation for the next mission. Eddie was assigned to A Coy, of the 1st Canadian General Reinforcement Unit when he boarded a plane on April 5th, 1945, and travelled to Northwest Europe. He joined the reinforcements in Germany, where he remained until the end of the war. In December 1945, Eddie was promoted to acting Corporal.
On January 14th, 1946, Eddie was discharged from the Canadian Military as a decorated veteran. For his military service, he was awarded the Canadian War Medal, the 1939 – 1945 Campaign Star, the France & Germany Campaign Star and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) with clasp. He was proud to have served with the elite 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.
Upon return to civilian life, Eddie joined Turnbull Elevator Company. He excelled at all trades and was eventually promoted to the role of National Construction Superintendent. Eddie travelled throughout Canada to certify installations of escalators and elevators. Eddie married his sweetheart Frances Vera Groves on September 6th, 1950, and built a loving and nurturing family home in Scarborough, Ontario. Eddie and Frances had two children, a daughter Gloria and son Eddie Jr. They enjoyed over 55+ years of marriage before Frances’ death on November 26th, 2006.
Eddie loved fixing, creating and inventing household items which led to a successful business venture with several Canadian and United States patents and trademarks. Forming a partnership with his son, they incorporated in 1978 and built a thriving business exporting household closet storage-related products and student furniture for over 25 years that won several international design awards.
Eddie and Frances were very active in their community including involvement with St. Andrews Anglican Church, and Boy Scouts and Girls Guides. Eddie received an award from The Canadian Red Cross society for making over 100 donations of his blood. The Edward David Aziz Scholarship at the Ontario College of Arts and Design (OCAD) for industrial design and entrepreneurship was established in 2006.
Edward David Aziz passed away at home on November 22nd, 2008, with family at his side. He was buried in the St. James Cemetery, in Toronto.
If you have taken the time to read the biography of Edward David Aziz, then you have kept his memory alive. We thank you for that.
Information and artifacts courtesy of Edward Aziz Jr.
Sten MkV
Corporal Aziz would have carried a Sten submachine gun overseas, similar to this one shown below. The Sten can be found in several models, the one pictured here is a Sten MKV, produced for the Paratroopers. It was an inexpensive firearm to produce, costing less than $10.00 per unit. It chambered a 9mm cartridge with a firing rate of 550 rounds per minute and an effective range of 100 yards. Also shown is a magazine pouch or bandolier that allowed a soldier to carry an additional 30 round magazines. Courtesy of Collectors Source.
