Richard Douglas Blaine was born in Campden, ON in 1913 to William and Ella May Blaine. He was a carpenter, working in Vineland, ON when he enlisted in the Canadian Army (Active Force) on 18 June 1941, in Hamilton. He qualified as a Group 'B' carpenter and was posted to 7 Construction Company in Petawawa.
In May of 1942, he married Olive Paquette in Toronto and was sent to the UK a month later for more training. In October he was posted to the 10th Field Squadron and travelled with them to Naples, Italy in November, 1943.
By early September 1944, the 10th Field Squadron was fully engaged in the Gothic Line battle advancing, conducting route reconnaissance and clearing obstacles. While preparing for the assault on Coriano Ridge on the morning of 11 September, John with other members of 1 Troop were having breakfast in shifts near a kitchen truck. A stray shell hit the kitchen tent causing 28 casualties – six killed outright, three seriously wounded who later died of wounds, and 11 seriously injured. Richard died that day and is buried in the Gradara Cemetery. His name is inscribed on Beamsville, Ontario War Memorial.