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A poppy engraved street sign of Sills Avenue.
Screen grab from Google Maps
In honour of our soldiers: George William Sills
Published 11:49 PST, Thu January 30, 2025
Last Updated: 11:50 PST, Thu January 30, 2025
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In a series about Richmond’s poppy street signs, in memory of our fallen soldiers, we share the story of Sills Avenue.
George William Sills was born on Sept. 28, 1880 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. At some point in his life, he and his family moved to Steveston, BC, where he worked as a teamster. His mother, Jane Eliza Sills was a farmer who lived in Steveston, and his father, whose name is unknown, had an address listed in Vancouver.
At the age of 34, George enlisted into the 39th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Vancouver on Nov. 5, 1914. Upon his arrival to France on May 23, 1915, he would be transferred to the 15th Battalion.
In the summer of 1916, George was hospitalized for six weeks before being sentenced to seven days in Field Prison for absence from duty for ten hours on Aug. 14, 1916.
On Sept. 7 1916, tragedy struck, as George William Sills was killed in action.
His mother and father, who were listed as his next of kin were sent a memorial cross, and his father who was the beneficiary of his personal estate inherited such.
On Jan. 8, 1990, the City of Richmond Council listed Sills Avenue as a potential road name. Some time later, the council would make the decision to honour George William Sills by naming a road after him.
Sills Avenue can be found near the heart of the city, located near the intersection of Granville Avenue and No. 4 Road.
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