Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 211 RITCHIE, Gertrude “Gert” WWII Gertrude was born in Annapolis Royal in 1903. She served in World War II and had a successful career with Parks Canada. In 1942, Ritchie joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division (RCAFWD), serving as a clerk and equipment assistant. Based on the British model, the RCAFWD recruited thousands of women into trade positions, who were essential to the success of this rapidly expanding air force. After the war, she worked in the private sector before joining Parks Canada in 1959. She held senior positions at both Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal and the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck. In retirement, she was active in many community groups, including becoming one of the first women to hold an executive position with The Royal Canadian Legion. She passed away at Annapolis Royal in 1998. Submitted by the Annapolis Heritage Society RUGGLES, Walter WWI Walter was born in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley in 1890, the son of Lenfast and Laura Ruggles of Bridgetown. He enlisted at Halifax in 1916 and joined the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) in Europe the following year. Based upon his previous military training, he was promoted to Captain and given command of “B” Company. At the Battle of Hill 70, he suffered shrapnel wounds during a German raid on the Canadian trench. After several months in the hospital, Walter was back in the field where he received another serious injury. He was evacuated to England and eventually declared unit for service and sent home. Walter died at Camp Hill Hospital in Halifax in 1919, from injuries sustained in the war. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Annapolis Royal. SAWLER, Harding Robert WWI & WWII Harding was a resident of the community of Western Shore, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia and was born on July 18, 1895. At the age of 23, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) on March 11, 1915 where he served for three years in France until discharged on August 3, 1919. He was presented with War Service Badge “Class A”. On July 4, 1940 he re-enlisted in Halifax with the Royal Canadian Artillery and achieved the Rank of WOII, and served Her Majesty’s Canadian Services until June 16, 1945. It was in this term that he received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. Robert was the founding president of Branch 144 Western Shore, now renamed “Harding Branch”. Submitted Independently
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==