VETERANS’ SERVICE RECOGNITION BOOK Volume Fifteen The Royal Canadian Legion NOVA SCOTIA / NUNAVUT COMMAND
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 1 Premier's Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover President's Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Project Chairman/Editor's Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Veterans Outreach Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Nova Scotia Veteran License Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Veteran License Plates Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 2019 Pilgrimage of Remembrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Private Roderick Alexander MacLennan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 NS War Dead: D-Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Nova Scotia Pilots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 High Flight by John Gillespie Magee Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 The Dieppe Raid - 1942 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Story from a Dieppe Veteran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Letters from the Front - WWI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 A Father's Pride by E.M. Dove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Nova Scotia Soldiers of the North Shore (NS) Regiment . . . . . . .55 First Nations Soldiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Colonel James L. Ralston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Sgt. Cecil Bennett & Cpl. Harold Bennett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Our Brave Boys by Rev. J. Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Private Charles Doucette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Three Generations of the Gorman Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 Nursing Sister Harriet Graham and No. 2 Stationary Hospital, France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 William Eugene Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Sergeant Herbert Peppard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Finding Private Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 George Herman Baker - The Soldier on the Coin . . . . . . . . . . . .105 Private Stewart Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107 Private Fred Storey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109 Sacrifice by G.R. Allerton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113 Missing by Wing Commander G.L. Creed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117 Veterans ABELL, George E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 ACKER, Robert W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 ADAMSON, Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 ALLISON, Timothy Enock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 AUSTIN, Walter Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 AUSTIN, William John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 BAKER, Donald Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123 BAKER, George Herman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105 BARDWELL, Marcus George . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123 BATES, Adrian Bernard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123 BENNETT, Cecil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 BENNETT, Harold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 BIDART, Maurice Rene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 BLAND, Edward Albert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 BOYD, John Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 BROWN, Neil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127 BURNS, Mitchell David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127 CHASE, Maurice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127 CHRISTIE, Hugh Ells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129 CLEVELAND, Frank Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129 CLEVELAND, Percy Roy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129 CLISH, William Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131 COCHRANE, Stuart Percy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131 COCHRANE, William C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131 COLDWELL, Miriam Jean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133 COLDWELL, William Terrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133 COLE, Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133 CORMIER, Roy Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135 COTTON, Roger T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135 CREIGHTON, H. Terry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 CUDMORE, Doris Eleanor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137 DAUPHINEE, James Allison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137 DEE, Gordon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137 Table of Contents - Volume 15 About the front cover In 2017, RCL Ortona Branch #069, located in Berwick, N.S., started a project to erect a War Memorial in front of the Berwick & District School, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Remembrance Day services have been held at the school since 2015. The monument was erected in November 2018, and dedicated in April 2019 during the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The monument was erected to honour the memory of the 154 men from western Kings County who gave their lives serving Canada in the First and Second World Wars, and the Korean conflict; the 114,000 Canadian service men and women who died in all wars; and in appreciation for all who have served,or who presently serve in Canada’s Armed Forces. On the centre panel at the top is a maple leaf, the same style of maple leaf that is on every headstone of every Canadian soldier who is buried overseas.Also, on the centre panel are the names of the 154 men from western Kings County who gave their lives serving Canada in the First and Second World Wars, and the Korean conflict.Below the names is the Act of Remembrance. On the left side is a symbol of a woman. She is one of the statues at the Vimy Ridge memorial, sometimes called Mother Canada, or Canada Bereft.She represents all of the family members who lost a son,brother, husband, or father in military service. On the right side of the monument is a picture of a First World War soldier who is doing sentry duty.This sentry represents all service men and women who remember their fallen comrades in arms.
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 15 2 Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion Table of Contents - Volume 15 DOUCETTE, Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 DRAGAN, D. Barrie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139 EWING, Amos Milton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139 FARGUHAR, Donald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139 FARRELL, Michael Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141 FOGARTY, Harry Philip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141 FORD, William Eugene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 GEORGE, Kenneth Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141 GILLIS, Colin Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143 GILLIS, Daniel J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143 GLANCY, Michael . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145 GLOADE, Sam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 GODDARD, Kevin Christopher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145 GORMAN, Alexander B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 GORMAN, Blair J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 GORMAN, John R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 GRAHAM, Harriet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 GRAVES, Charles Everett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145 HARDACKER, William Everett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 HATT, Creighton Wellington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 HAWKENS, Fred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 HENDERSON, Eugene E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 HILCHIE, Frank G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 KELLEY, Glendon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 KEOUGH, Andrew Patrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151 KEOUGH, Daniel Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151 LACUSTA, Leo W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 LANDRY, Clarence Bernard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151 LANTZ, Rodney Harrington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 MacDONALD, Bruce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 MacEACHERN, Tara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 MacKINNON, Martin Alexander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155 MacLENNAN, Roderic Alexander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 MacLENNAN, Stephen Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155 MacNABB, Bruce William . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155 MacNEIL, Beverley Elaine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 MacRAE, Roderick MacKenzie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 MANNING, Philip William . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 MARTIN, Jean Elizabeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 MARTIN, Peter David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 MARTIN, Ralph Charles Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 McCULLY, Gordon Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161 McKINNON, John Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161 McLEAN, Malcolm Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161 MEISNER, Harris Bent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163 METCALFE, Betty Adola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163 MILES, Arthur Kingsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163 MILES, Donn Ray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 MILES, Earl Kinsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 MILES, Malcome Leslie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 MILES, Paul Basil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167 MILES, Roy Arthur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167 MOORE, Henry C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167 MORASH, Arden Ennes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169 MULHALL, William Frederick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169 MUNROE, Cecil Herman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169 MURPHY, Timothy Richard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171 NAUSS, Clyde Welslie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171 NEWLAND, Leonard C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171 PALMER, Charles Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173 PARKER, Herbert W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173 PEACH, Rexford C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173 PEPPARD, Herbert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 PINKERTON, William . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175 PORTER, Irvin Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175 PORTER, Reginald F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175 PULSIFER, William Raymond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177 RAFUSE, Edward Murray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177 RALSTON, James Layton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 RAMFPERGER, Arthur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177 RIGBY, Peter Alexander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179 ROBARTS, Reginald C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179 SCOTT, Colin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179 SEARY, James Ellis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181 SHAY, George . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183 SHEPARD, Percy Vincent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183 SMITH, Garwin P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183 SMITH, Guy M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185 SMITH, Malcolm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185 SMITH, Olden Andrew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185 SMITH, Percy Frederick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187 SMITH, Raymond A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187 SMITH, Robert Bruin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187 SMITH, Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107 SMITHSON, Raymond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189 STEVENS, Merton Avery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189 STOREY, Fred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109 SULLIVAN, William Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189 SURRETTE, James Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191 THOMPSON, Allister Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191 TONEY, Stephen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 WALSH, William Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191 WEAGLE, Isaac Zenas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193 WEBER, Donald E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193 WHITE, Joseph Leonard Maries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 WHITFORD, Walter Lyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193 WHITFORD, William Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195 WILLIAMS, Cecil R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195 ZELWARD, Jason Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195 Advertisers' Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204 Submission Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 3 President’s Message On behalf of the Executive and Members of Nova Scotia/ Nunavut Command it gives me great pleasure to introduce the 15th issue of the Veterans’ Service Recognition Book. 2019 is the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and we are proud of our service men and women who contributed greatly to this effort. This book is one of the many ways we honour and remember those Canadians who have served or are still serving in the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP. I would like to extend a tremendous thank you to all the many advertisers, private donations and contributors for helping to once again make our Veterans’ Service Recognition book a huge success. I would Iike to thank our Chairman and Editor, Comrade Steve Wessel, for all the hard work that he carries out to ensure that our Veterans are honoured in the manner that they deserve. His dedication, since its inception, of the VSRB is second to none. Special thanks to Mark Fenety and Fenety Marketing for their continued support of this project within our Command and across the country. Please continue to send in submissions honouring our Veterans and members of the RCMP so that their contributions to our great country and peace around the world will never be forgotten. Lest We Forget Yours in Comradeship Marion Fryday-Cook President Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command The Royal Canadian Legion
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 5 Project Chairman’s/Editor Message Another year has quickly passed, and as project Chairman, it is an honour and a privilege to present the 2019 edition, the 15th book in our Veteran Service Recognition Book (VSRB) series. All of these books are produced in an effort to honour, acknowledge and remember the contributions made by so many brave Canadians who have served, not only in times of war, but also during many peacekeeping and peacemaking missions. We also recognize and support those men and women who continue the proud tradition of service to Canada throughout the world in the Canadian Forces and the RCMP. In this, and future editions, we continue to feature extended stories and biographies of our Veterans, paying tribute to their wartime contributions and military experiences, as well as sharing historical newspaper articles recalling the more personal aspects of our Veterans’ service and sacrifices. We have also included a couple of stories featuring our NS/NU Command programs. I hope you enjoy them! As always, I offer my sincere thanks to all of the Legion branches and members of the general public who continue to support these publications by contributing biographies and photos. I would also like to thank the many businesses, groups and individuals who generously support these publications through advertising and through personal financial donations. I again, as always, wish to thank Fenety Marketing for their continued partnership and shared expertise in the production of these books. I would also like to recognize and thank Comrade Gary Siliker, CD, former member of 2RNBR (NS) and 40-year member of Mahone Bay Branch #049, for his outstanding contributions to this issue. In closing, we look forward to issuing the 16th edition of the VSRB series in the fall of 2020, and if you would like to contribute to the 2020 edition, please use the form at the back of this book and send it to our Command office. In Comradeship, Steve Wessel Project Chairman / Editor
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 7 The NS/NUC Veterans Outreach Program - where did it come from? When did it start? What does it encompass? And who does it serve? Many in our Command are unaware of the answers to these questions. In September 2011 NS/NUC Executive Council made the important decision to stand up a new committee - the Veterans Outreach Committee, or VOP. The 1st Committee had 2 co-chairs, Comrade Les Nash and Comrade Steve Wessel. In the following years, 2012 – 2018, it was chaired by Comrade Wessel. The VOP is now a Command standing committee, but prior to its formation, all matters dealing with Veterans’ issues were dealt with through the Veterans Services and Seniors Committee and through our Command Service Bureau. During the early days of the VOP mandate, the committee dealt with the growing situation of homelessness, or near homelessness caused in part by operational stress injuries and post traumatic stress. The mission statement of the committee was clear: VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAM Nova Scotia / Nunavut Command, R.C.L. By Steve Wessel Mission Statement To extend a helping hand to Veterans who are homeless or near homeless by promoting recovery oriented care and connecting them with vital human resources and social services. “A Hand Up - Not a Hand Out.” This was addressed through various initiatives, such as: • Fostering and forming mutually supportive partnerships with established community resources, health care professionals, all levels of government and like-minded individuals. • Development of the “We Care” backpacks, given free of charge to any needy Veteran presenting themselves to, or being located by, NS/NUC. Backpacks contained essential personal items as well as a community bus pass and food voucher. • Development of an information poster program which provided necessary contact information for the Veterans. • Presenting information seminars throughout our Command and its branches to the benefit of our membership and their communities. • Ensuring the provision for access to emergency funds through the Command Poppy Fund and Benevolent Fund, • Coordination and administration of the PorchLight Program – a program for ill and injured Veterans helping their peers through meetings and social gatherings. • And, the Institution of the Veteran Transition Program. Legion backpacks continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 9 continued ... Many of these listed initiatives grew wider in scope while some were discontinued because they were not financially sustainable. NS/NUC’s sponsorship of the Veteran Transition Program (VTP) for example, was cancelled because the cost to deliver the program rose from the original of approximately $7,500 per participant, to over $15,000. However, additional programs have been added through the years which have proven to produce positive and lasting therapeutic results. One aspect of the VOP structure that never seems to change is the immediate and urgent financial requirements of the many Veterans who wait on receipt of benefits and pensions through Veterans Affairs Canada and DND. During the past 8 years, through generous donations by our branches and other entities to our VOP and Benevolent funds, NS/NUC has expended hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of hundreds of Nova Scotia Veterans and their families. This immediate financial assistance is of vital importance to these families and as such, the branches of NS/NUC, through their donations, provide a means to fulfill these emergent needs across Nova Scotia. We thank all of our Legion branches for their support to our Veterans and their families! The VOP, with approval of the Executive Council, had made yearly donations to the Military Family Resource Centre. Executive Council eventually questioned whether these donations were reaching those most in need and whether the donations were being spread proportionately across the province. In order to ensure these funds achieved maximum effect, in 2016, the VOP began re-directing our support through the Military Family Mental Health/Operational Stress Injury Support Peer Retreat and their annual mental health retreat. The 3 retreats sponsored to date have allowed adult female family members of ill and injured Canadian Forces serving personnel, and Veterans from across Nova Scotia, to reduce the impact of their isolation and help remove the stigma of mental health injuries. There are many successful and life altering retreats available for Veterans, however, there are limited opportunities that provide the family member with a similar opportunity. The VOP is proud to be able to help make this retreat available. Another initiative that was introduced several years ago is the proposed Veterans Memorial Medical Clinic. The VOP and Executive Council recognizes the tremendous need, and fully supports, the establishment of this Veteran centric centre. Although the centre remains in the development stages, great strides have been made in raising the awareness of the provincial and federal governments to the necessity of making this centre a reality. continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 11 continued ... Over the past 2 years, the VOP has supported projects directed towards the good mental health of our ill and injured Veterans. Healing on the Fly, a fly-tying program, meets regularly at member residences in Eastern Passage and Windsor, as well as at Rally Point Retreat. The PTSD Painting Program, located in Sydney, meets regularly with a full class of 11 Veterans. We have also sponsored 2 Veterans per year to attend the national “Healing Waters” fishing trip. This annual fishing trip inspired our own Healing on the Fly participants to begin the process of scouting locations and making plans for a NS/NUC fishing trip in 2019 to the Margaree area of Cape Breton. The VOP’s most recognizable partnership is with Paws Fur Thought (PFT). During the 2014 dominion convention in Edmonton, Alberta, a non-concurred resolution was brought back to the floor and the argument for its acceptance was led by NS/NUC and other like-minded Commands. This resolution supported the use of a percentage of Poppy funds towards the costs associated with obtaining service dogs for Veterans living with operational injuries and mental health injuries as a result of their service. After the acceptance of this resolution, NS/NUC immediately began to advance our partnership with PFT, while many other Commands decided to postpone developing a service dog program at the urging of Dominion Command while waiting for national standards to be developed. During the VOP’s 7 year relationship with PFT, we have assumed a mostly administrative role, which has resulted in approximately 120 Service Dogs being matched with Veterans in need, not just in Nova Scotia, but across Canada. On a go forward basis, VOP recommended, and Executive Council agreed, that in concert with our administrative responsibilities, we should also become financially invested in PFT; a $250,000.00 investment over the next 2 years to supply 8 dogs in 2019 and 8 dogs in 2020. continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 13 We have all become aware of the positive, documented results of pairing ill and injured Veterans with Service Dogs. What most are not aware of is the supply of trained Service Dogs is of grave concern, which now necessitates the “reservation” of dogs with their providers. The reservation of these litters of dogs requires this additional large financial investment – we cannot allow our Veterans to be left behind. The commitment of the VOP and NS/NUC to further advance the Veteran Assist Service Dog Program on behalf of our Veterans is not in question, however, this type of financial investment is not sustainable on a year to year basis. The Royal Canadian Legion at ALL levels must lobby Veterans Affairs Canada and the Federal government through our MP’s to take responsibility for funding and maintaining the service dog program, not only in N.S., but across Canada. Our newest VOP partner, the Veteran Farm Project, was introduced at our biennial convention in Windsor this past May 2018. AVeteran centric social enterprise focusing on food insecurity in the veteran population and the hope to aid in helping as many families and Veterans with farm fresh local food. The food will be grown locally in Nova Scotia on a 6.5 acre Veteran owned farm with a goal of helping those Veterans who need a boost with fresh vegetables and produce and to improve the lives of Veterans by providing a safe environment with access to nature and the physical, social and mental health benefits that being outdoors provides. Comrades, NS/NUC’s Veterans Outreach Program is fully committed to all of the initiatives developed to assist our Veterans and their families by enhancing their quality of life and helping them overcome barriers faced as a result of their service. These initiatives speak to the very soul of The R.C.L. – the support and care of our Veterans and their families. These programs prove vital relevancy to The Legion itself. continued ... If you would like additional information on any of these projects or initiatives, please contact the Executive Director of NS/NU Command at 902.429.4090 Ext. 4.
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 15 Nova Scotia Veteran License Plates 1st of its kind in Canada continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 17 VETERAN LICENSE PLATES PROJECT The concept of a Veteran’s license plate was first introduced during convention in Truro in May of 2001 by then Cape Breton District Commander and Command Public Relations Chairman Comrade JimMullins. The concept was accepted in principal by the convention delegates as a visible means to recognize our Veterans in Nova Scotia. Following the May 2001 convention, the Vice-Chairman of Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command (NS/NUC) and new Public Relations Chairman Comrade Steve Wessel, continued to pursue the idea of introducing a Veterans license plate in Nova Scotia. On 15 November 2001, Comrade Wessel met with the N.S. Provincial government’s Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, chaired by Mr. William Langille, and made presentation for the acceptance of a Veterans license plate. The Standing Committee agreed, by motion, to recommend to the Minister of Service N.S. and Municipal Relations, Mr. Angus MacIsaac, for the acceptance of such a plate. After several meetings between Comrade Wessel, Service N.S., and Minister MacIsaac, a plate design and an application form supplied by NS/NUC were agreed upon. Service N.S. would produce and distribute the plates and NS/NUC of The Royal Canadian Legion would be the authorizing agent for verification of Veteran status. In February 2003, after 15 months of intensive negotiations, then serving President of NS/NUC Comrade Fred Mombourquette, installed the very first Veterans license plate on his personal vehicle. The first such plate in Nova Scotia – and in Canada! The license plate project was subsequently adopted and instituted by every Legion Command in every province across Canada. Following intensive lobbying by Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command and the UN NATO Veterans Association, in November 2016, the N.S. government finally unveiled a motorcycle plate for Veterans which eventually hit the roads in the spring of 2017. The mission statement of The Royal Canadian Legion states: Our mission is to serve Veterans, which includes serving military and RCMP members and their families, to promote remembrance and to serve our communities and our country. By lobbying for, and instituting this recognition for the Veterans of Nova Scotia, and of Canada, we believe that we have assisted in fulfilling this mission statement on behalf of our Veterans and their families. continued ...
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 15 18 Lest We Forget proud sponsors of the
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 19 My name is Comrade Gary Silliker, and I had the honour of being selected as the NS/NU Command representative for The Royal Canadian Legion’s 2019 Pilgrimage of Remembrance. The pilgrimage was led by Comrade Bruce Julian (1st Vice President Dominion Command), while Danny Martin (Deputy Director Corporate Services Dominion Command) looked after the logistics, and Doris Williams (CANVET Publications) looked after public affairs. While I could write many pages about the pilgrimage, I shall endeavor to touch upon some of my most poignant personal memories. I have always found interest and satisfaction in “walking the ground.” The pilgrimage was conducted over the period of 6 - 20 July with stays in Caen, Dieppe, Ypres, and Arras. Comrade John Goheen, of Port Coquitlam BC, the pilgrimage’s historian and tour guide since 1997, is extremely knowledgeable and as well was being a marvelous raconteur. He took us down many country lanes and into many wheat fields, to explain, “what happened here.” John’s passion and knowledge allowed us to stand on the ground where heroes once stood – and where many of them died in the service of our country. We visited 17 Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries, where we sought out the graves of war dead from our home provinces. We also visited one German cemetery and one French cemetery. The Act of Remembrance was conducted in France at the CWGC cemeteries at Beny-sur-Mer, Bretteville-sur-Laize, and Dieppe, as well as the Abbaye d’Ardenne Memorial, the Beaumont-Hamel. Newfoundland Memorial and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, and in Belgium at the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery and the Menin Gate Memorial. Less formal, yet very emotional, memorial services were held on the Essex Scottish Regiment’s landing beach at Dieppe at 5:26 AM, at the end of the Dieppe jetty in memory of the naval forces, and down a wooded path on the grounds of the Chateau d’Audrieu in memory of the murdered Canadian POW’s. JUNO BEACH At Juno beach we walked the sands of the Mike/Red sector where Sapper Arthur Thomas Jackson of Shelburne County became the first recorded casualty of the Canadian assault force (see story - Nova Scotia war dead: D-Day). We also got to view the house at Nan/Red which has recently gained prominence with the newly released Canadian Mint commemorative coin marking the 75th Anniversary of D-Day (see story - “Finding Private Baker”). The Royal Canadian Legion’s 2019 Pilgrimage of Remembrance “Tramping through wheat fields with John Goheen” By Gary Silliker continued ... Bruce Julian (l) and John Goheen (right of cannon) and others at the Hooge Crater Pilgrims at the Vimy Memorial Mike / Red landing sector, Juno beach
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 21 continued ... MURDERS IN NORMANDY The word “execution” implies that some sort of legal decision had been made, by some sort of designated authority, directing the death of an individual; while the word “murder” clearly means the deliberate illegal taking of life. History records that 156 Canadian POWs were murdered during the Normandy campaign. “Died whilst POW (murdered by the enemy),” was the stated cause of death, recorded by the Canadian Army, on the personal files of the murdered. John explained to us the crimes committed by soldiers of the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend. The Abbaye d’Ardenne was where SS-Colonel Kurt Meyer ordered the murder of Canadian prisoners of war – of whom 12 were members of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders (NNSH). Rather than adhering to the Geneva Convention on the treatment of POWs, some other German commanders opted to order the killing of the prisoners - whom they unsympathetically viewed as an ‘inconvenience’ that could be easily eliminated. Other than the Abbaye d’Ardenne, the sites of mass murder remain unmarked and mostly forgotten. At the Chateau d’Audrieu we quietly walked down a forest path to a spot where Canadian POWs were once marched to their deaths. On the edge of another wheat field John pointed out where, on 8 June 1944, 35 Canadian POWs were massacred. In the town of Authie we stopped at a lovely little park named ‘Place des 37 Canadiens.’ It is the location where a group of soldiers of the NNSH, all disarmed POWs, were killed by members of the Hitlerjugend; during an evening frenzy of torture, murder, atrocity and desecration. WHEAT FIELDS, A CANAL & A STUNTED TREE On the outskirts of Authie we stood at the corner of an orchard on a patch of ground that a farmer might use to park his tractor. Before us was a wheat field; about 900 meters across that field was a stand of trees where the heavily armed German forces were well entrenched on 7 June 1944. John explained how C Company, and a platoon fromACompany, of the NNSH, of the 9th Infantry Brigade, desperately defended that position for 2 hours using 3 heavy machine guns they had stripped from disabled Sherman tanks and one 17-pounder self-propelled anti-tank gun. The 9th Brigade’s butcher’s bill for 7 June was 110 killed, 192 wounded, and 120 taken prisoner, as well as 21 tanks destroyed. At Carpiquet we viewed the wheat field that the North Shore Regiment (NSR) attacked across on 4 July 1944. That battle would become known as the ‘graveyard of the regiment.’Amongst the NSR soldiers killed at Carpiquet were nine soldiers from Nova Scotia (see story - Nova Scotia soldiers of the NSR). We stood silently in the wheat field at Verrières Ridge where, on 25 July 1944, soldiers of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada conducted a futile attack against an entrenched enemy. Of the 325 Black Watch soldiers who stepped off into that wheat field, 123 were killed, including Private Daniel Hinkley of North-West Arm, Cape Breton; while another 184 were wounded or taken prisoner. Chateau d’Audrieu forest path continued ... Verrieres Ridge
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 23 continued ... At the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, just short of the ‘danger tree,’ we took time to sing the “Sweet Forget me Not” – the marching song of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment (R Nfld R). A few days later we walked along a path, through another wheat field, to view the Hawthorne crater that was so significant to the 1916 battle of Beaumont-Hamel. At Monchy-le-Preux, on the edge of yet another wheat field, John traced out the movements, and spoke of the heroic actions, of the soldiers of the R Nfld R who held the line against a vastly superior enemy force on 14 April 1917. A battle that saw the regiment reduced to non-effective strength for the second time during the Great War. We also travelled through more wheat fields to visit the graves of Canadian war dead in the Litchfield Crater and the Courcelette British Cemetery. After visiting the Canadian memorial at Passchendaele, we walked the raised path between a potato field and beet field to reach the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) memorial. It was the spot where the highlanders ‘went over the top’ to capture their objective on 28 October 1917. At Canal du Nord we stood on the banks and watched canal boats peacefully glide by. Many military historians consider the attack across the canal, in late-September 1918, as the most significant strategic victory of the Canadian Corps during the Great War. An outstanding feat of secrecy, planning and coordination that relied heavily upon artillery, engineers and infantry. There is nothing along the canal to make note of that victory. When I was a young soldier, I was privileged to meet Pat Brophy; the RCAF rear-gunner Andrew Mynarski, VC, was trying to save as their bomber, Lancaster KB726, was ablaze and going down on the night of 12 June 1944. Mynarski died valiantly trying to save his friend. On our last day John took us to a country crossroads next to a field of curious dairy cattle. It was the site where KB726 crashed through a very large tree before it struck the ground. The site is now marked with a small memorial to Pilot Officer (Air Gunner) Mynarski, VC. That damaged tree is still standing today – a stark reminder of the plight bomber crews who perished during WW II. Singing at the Danger Tree Canal du Nord continued ... Remains of tree damaged by Mynarski’s Lancaster KB726
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 25 continued ... INDIVIDUAL MEMORIALS Each pilgrim was tasked with researching the life of one of Canada’s war dead and presenting their research at the soldier’s grave site. The war dead selected came from each province in Canada. As the NS representative I was assigned to research Roderick Alexander “Rod” MacLennan of Dalem Lake, Cape Breton. I stood at grave 29A19 of the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, on the afternoon of 18 July, and spoke to my fellow pilgrims about the young soldier of the 85th Battalion from Cape Breton (see Private Roderick Alexander MacLennan’s biography at the end of this article). The pilgrimage was both emotional and educational. While we did visit many well-known monuments; we also walked the ground and gained a better understanding of the “why” and “how.” Our national anthem was sung freely and proudly, as was the ‘Ode to Newfoundland’. SO WHYA PILGRIMAGE? The RCL Pilgrimages date back to 1936 when 6,200 Great War Veterans, and many family members, travelled to France for the official unveiling and dedication of the Vimy Memorial. In 1987 The RCL sponsored a small group of young Canadians, including teachers, to attend the 50th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Vimy Memorial. The Legion’s Youth Leadership Pilgrimage of Remembrance ran, annually, from 1989 to 1997. Since then the RCL Pilgrimage of Remembrance has been conducted every 2 years. Edmund Blunden, MC, the literary advisor to the Imperial War Graves Commission in 1936, posed the question “why spend money on the dead?... a war cemetery, with all its inscriptions for youths in the main dead ere their prime, is the chief sermon against war…Life is commonly regarded as a marvelous gift – the giving back is the equal marvel, and the war cemeteries are in a sense the poetry of that high action.” By conducting these pilgrimages, The Royal Canadian Legion stays true to its mission statement “to promote Remembrance.” Mirroring Blunden’s sentiments. Applicants for the pilgrimage agree, that if selected, they shall utilize what they learned on the pilgrimage to enhance remembrance in their province. I look forward to doing just that. I would encourage anyone who has a desire to walk the walk of heroes, and learn more about Canadian military history, to seriously consider applying for the next pilgrimage planned for July 2021. "Memoriam eorum retinebimus" continued ... We Will Remember
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 15 26 Supports Veterans, past and present. 74 Hobsons Lake Drive, Halifax, NS B3S 0G4 902-444-4647 www.privateersharleydavidson.com
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 27 878408 Private Roderick Alexander MacLennan 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) continued ... “There's a piper on the hillside at the closing of the day You can hear his stirring music where the sunset fades away You can see him through the maples as he marches to the shore And he enters in that cabin, by the waters of Bras D'or.” -Lillian Crewe Walsh Roderick Alexander “Rod” MacLennan was born in Dalem Lake, Cape Breton, on 12 April, 1892, to Roderick and Rachel (McLeod) MacLennan. Dalem Lake is located on Boulardrie Island, Bras d'Or Lake, between Big Bras D’or and Hillside Boulardrie. Rod left his work on the family farm to enlist in the 73rd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) on 24 June, 1916, in Aldershot, NS. His initial medical assessment, upon enlisting, noted he had a ruddy complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, weighed 145 pounds and stood 5’-7 ½” tall. A month later he was posted to the 185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders). After basic and initial infantry training, he left Halifax on SS Olympic on 12 October, arriving in England six days later. Rod arrived in France in early December and spent all of January 1917 in hospital with the mumps. Private MacLennan was posted to the 85th Battalion on 19 April, 1917, ten days after the initial attack on Vimy Ridge. The Canadian tactical victory at Vimy Ridge was part of the much larger Battle of Arras that raged on until mid-May. In 39 days of fighting, some 300,000 men on both sides were wounded, missing or dead. The British/Canadian forces suffered an average of 4,000 casualties every day, the highest average daily casualty rate, at that time, of any of their First World War assaults. On 20 May the 85th went into the line in front of Angres, near Fosse 6, in relief of the 72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada). This was all new territory for the NS Highlanders. It was a very hard front as the Germans held commanding positions looking into the trenches of the 85th and could bring down enfilade fire on them at will. It meant constant vigilance night and day. On 23 May the 85th were getting ready to rotate out of the line the next day and turn it over to the 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers). It was a warm rainy day, and as the unit war diary notes, that evening the Germans shelled the position with minenwerfers (short range mortars) on the left, killing 4 members of D Company, and with High Explosive shells on the right killing 5 members of A Company. Rod was killed in that action. He had been in the unit for only 5 weeks. Private Roderick Alexander MacLennan is buried in grave 29A19 of the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery south of the town of Souchez in France along with 324 other Canadians. That cemetery holds the graves of 3195 soldiers of the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and Germany. We will remember them.
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 29 Nova Scotia War Dead: D-Day By Gary Silliker At least 16 men from Nova Scotia died on 6 June, 1944, during the opening day of Operation Overlord. The airborne assault: The first Canadian unit to land in Normandy was the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. On the night of 5/6 June 1944, they crossed the English Channel and were dropped a few hours before the seaborne assault. Their primary task was to destroy the bridges on the Dives and Divette Rivers in Varaville and Robehomme; and, to protect the left flank of the 9th Parachute Battalion as it attacked the German artillery position in Merville. Killed in action were Warrant Officer 1st Class Wendell Clark of Halifax, Private Alexander J McInnis of Glace Bay, and Major Hugh Murray MacLeod of Glace Bay. The bodies of Clark and MacLeod are buried in the Ranville War Cemetery. McInnis has no known grave and is commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial. The seaborne assault: The assault wave that morning was made up of four infantry battalions and various corps units (engineers, artillery, medical, service) of the 3rd Canadian Division. Sapper Arthur Thomas Jackson of Shelburne served to 6th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers. He was part of the assault platoon on D-Day. His six-man team were supporting 10 Platoon of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (the first Canadian unit to assault Juno Beach, landing at 0749 hours at beaches 'Mike Red' and 'Mike Green'). The 6th Field Company lost 75% of its men (killed, wounded, missing) and were reduced to one officer and 26 men. Arthur was killed in action by enemy machine gun fire on the beach. Sapper Jackson was the first official Canadian casualty of the assault. Major Gavin Fraser Rainnie of Halifax served in the 13th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery. He was the unit landing officer and was killed in action when his landing craft struck an underwater mine coming into beach “Mike Red”. continued ... Canadian Paratroopers on D-Day Sapper Jackson Major Rainnie
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 31 continued ... The four infantry battalions were the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (RWR) and the Regina Rifle Regiment (RRR) of the 7th Brigade, and the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (QOR) and the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment (NSR) of the 8th Brigade. Killed in action were Rifleman Donald Thomas, of Truro (RRR) and Private Harold Thomas Lewis of Port Lorne (NSR). Died of wounds were Corporal Michael John Makichuk of Debert (RWR) and Sergeant Bruce Franklin Elliot of Kentville (NSR). Private Harry G. Moore, of Kentville, served in 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade Company (84 Coy), Royal CanadianArmy Service Corps. His landing ship was struck by enemy artillery fire and he was not counted amongst the dead or the rescued soldiers. Harry was listed as missing and presumed dead. Corporal Douglas Bertram MacDonald, MM, of Halifax, served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and came ashore with the NSR. He was killed in action and was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Citation: “Corporal Douglas Bertram MacDonald was a member of the 22nd Canadian Field Ambulance on the beach, engaged with his section in collecting and treating casualties. Mortar and machine-gun fire were heavy and continuous. Several casualties were seen to occur at the east end of the beach wall. On his own initiative and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Corporal MacDonald collected three stretcher bearers and crawled thirty yards to render First Aid to these casualties. While so engaged, a mortar shell exploded a few feet from them, killing two of the bearers, wounding the third and severely wounding Corporal MacDonald about the face. Still conscious, but blinded, he retained presence of mind and attempted to crawl to the shelter of the sea wall. He was removed and treated by other members of the section. Throughout the entire action until becoming a casualty, Corporal MacDonald showed complete fearlessness and great initiative and leadership. His conduct was in every way an inspiration to the men in his section.” All of these men are buried in the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, except for Harry G. Moore who has no known grave and is commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial. Sgt. Elliot continued ...
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