Perth Courier - World War Two, 1940 to 1945.
supplied by Christine M. Spencer of Northwestern University, Evanston, Il., USA.
Perth
Courier, February 2, 1940
Seventeen Enlist in the Air Force
Majority Signing Up Here Were From Town of Smith’s Falls
The mobile unit recruiting here for the Royal Air Force on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday enlisted a total of 17 men, who were sent immediately to Toronto. Men enlisted and their post office addresses are:
Perth: C. H. Saunders and J.N. Dicola(?)
Lanark: A.R. Small
Gratton: C.L. Cole
Braeside:
E.J. Lavern
Franktown:
L.(?)H. Davis
Smith’s Falls: F. J. Vinat or Vinal;
H.G. Couch; G. I. Nichols; E. H. Blair; G.M. Haskins; A.E. Hodgins; J.S.
McIntosh; J.G. Bradley; R.C. Deegan; C.E. Plant; and D.M.Deegan
Perth
Courier, June 7, 1940
Killed in War Action
A Smith’s Falls Man Receives Word of Brother’s Death
W.J. Butterill of Smith’s Falls has
received official word that his brother Clarence
Butterill has been reported killed in action. Mr. Butterill, a bomber with the Royal Air Force, is a
Canadian who went to England seven years ago and later enlisted with the Royal
Air Force. This is the second
fatality among men from this district.
Perth
Courier, July 12, 1940
John Kanelakos Seaman Gunner On Oil Tanker
Rejected as medically unfit for service
with the C.A.S.F., John Kanelakos is now engaged in a service which carries
enough of the elements of danger and adventure to suit any man. Completing a
course at the merchant’s seaman’s gunners’ school at Halifax, he signed up
immediately for a five year period or for the duration as a gunner in the joint
employ of the Imperial Oil Company and the Dominion government.
His first assignment will be with the M.V. (merchant vessel) Vancolite.
This is one of a number of oil tankers in the British service, transporting
gasoline via the seas from producing points to parts where it is needed and such
tankers are especially sought after by subs and air bombers.
The tankers constitute a section of the merchant marine, operating in and
out of combat areas and is especially dangerous.
A direct hit by a bomb or submarine’s torpedo on such a boat almost
invariably means complete loss of the boat, cargo and personnel.
Hence it would seem that Jack Kanelakos has selected a particularly
dangerous section of the empire endeavors to use his talents.
Mr. Kanelakos was in town for the weekend and a few days this week and
left on Wednesday to assume his duties on the above named tanker.
Perth
Courier, August 9, 1940
Reported Missing
Mrs. Richard Mills has received word
that of her two brothers in the British Army, one, Corporal Duncan Sutherland, has been officially reported missing
following the evacuation of Dunkirk. Corporal
Sutherland was a member of the 1st Battalion of the Gordon
Highlanders, a unit that was almost completely wiped out following the historic
evacuation.
Perth
Courier, September 2, 1940
Again In Uniform
Dr.
Arthur C. Fowler, who offered his services
recently to the military authorities, received notice last week to report this
week to Kingston where he will be attached, for the present, to the headquarters
staff of military district number three. Dr.
Fowler is a veteran of the 1914-18 conflict ; early in 1918(?) he sailed from
Canada as a gunner with the 167th Battery of the Canada Expeditionary
Force.
Sapper G. Noonan, Native of Perth, Died in England
Word has been received by George J.
Noonan, manager of the Pembroke branch of the Bank of Montreal, of the death of
his son, Sapper George Chapman Noonan,
28, R.C.E., somewhere in England as the result of a motorcycle accident.
Sapper Noonan, who has two brothers in the service, enlisted in Pembroke
last winter with the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment and started an
officer’s training course with that regiment. Finding it would take too long
to take this course and get to grips with the enemy he transferred to the Royal
Canadian Engineers, Ottawa, as a sapper. In
January, he married Kathleen Burgess of Grand Falls, N.B. Four days later he
left for overseas. He had been
stationed at Aldershot and later at Southampton.
Recently his letters home simply stated “somewhere in England”.
Immediate circumstances surrounding his death are not known as the only
word was that received by his parents from the National Defense Headquarters.
Sapper Noonan was born at Perth. He
was the son of George J. Noonan and the former Helen Chapman and a grandson of
the late Mr. and Mrs. D.R. Noonan of Perth.
He was educated at Barry’s Bay Separate School and later attended St.
Michael’s College in Toronto. For
the greater part of his life he had lived in New Brunswick, going to Pembroke a
little more than a year ago with his parents.
Besides his widow and his parents he is survived by three brothers: Donald of the Royal Canadian Engineers now in England:
Edward, of the Governor General’s Footguards, Ottawa; and Eric at home;
and three sisters, Rev. Sister Ste. Madeline, Instructor at the Gloucester
Convent, Ottawa; Mrs. Gerard Gorman, St. John, N.B.; and Helen, a nurse in
training at Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Craig Greer Joins Ottawa Home Guard
Craig Greer of Maberly, one of the local men who was privileged to read his own obituary at the end of the 1914-18 war, was back in uniform again, having joined the Ottawa Home Guard detachment. Mr. Greer was reported officially to have died while a prisoner of war in Germany in 1918(?) and the Courier believes a memorial service was held following receipt of that news. However, as in the case of Mark Twain, there was exaggeration and Craig survived the ordeal of the prison camp and returned to Canada. Last week, an advertisement appeared in the Courier whereby men were sought for home guard duty at Ottawa and among those from that town and district who were accepted were: Arthur St. Pierre, Mississippi Station; Fred J. Armstrong, Elmsley; Craig Greer, John Campbell, and Sid Howe, Maberly; Thomas Moore, William Lee, Walter Chalmers, and Jack Richardson, Perth.
Perth
Courier, February 27, 1941
Captain Gemmell Is With British Forces In Sudan
Capt.
T.R. Gemmell, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.K. Gemmell of
Perth and a graduate of the R.M.C. at Kingston, is at present acting commander
of an artillery battery of 100 men of the British forces from India, operating
out of the Sudan. Since leaving
Canada several years ago, he attended an officers training school in England;
saw active service with the Indian forces at the Khyber pass, also at Peshawar;
was transferred to Aden(?) then back to India and last August was moved to the
Sudan, that move being, in all probability, a part of careful and thorough
preparation for the present offenses in eastern Africa.
(A letter follows giving some of his experiences, but is not
transcribed.)
Perth
Courier, April 24, 1941
Photo William D. Hagyard
William
D. Hagyard received his wings at a graduation
ceremony at #2 Service Flying Training School at Uplands, Ottawa on Friday
afternoon. He is the 19 year old
son of Dr. and Mrs. H.C. Hagyard of Perth and a graduate of Perth Collegiate and
joined the services last September. At
present, marking the conclusion of a lengthy period of strenuous training, he is
at home here, on leave until the middle of May.
Leading Aircraftman Hagyard is the second Perthite to receive his wings
in the R.C.A.F. and is the first man to graduate with that rank under the
commonwealth training scheme.
Cpl.
D.A. Blake Smiley is spending a furlough at his
home in town.
L.A.C.
Johnny Robinson, R.C.A.F., who has been at
Rockcliffe, has been transferred to Brandon, Manitoba.
James
O’Gorman left a few days ago for an eastern
port, in the Canadian naval service.
Perth
Courier, May 1, 1941
Robert
Braley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Braley,
Drummond Street, has joined the radio technical department of the R.C.A.F.,
Ottawa.
Stanley
Rogers left Toronto on April 19 for Prince Albert,
Sask., for another phase of aircrew training at No. 6 Empire Flying Training
School.
Mrs. William Cuthberton of Perth has
received word of the safe arrival in England of her husband Major
William Cuthbertson, formerly of Climax, Sask.
He was in the contingent landing in England a few days ago and is
commanding officer of a road construction unit, the group being completely
equipped to start building or repairing roads in the corps area.
Equipment taken overseas by this unit includes steam rollers, tractors,
etc.
Private
Elmer Taylor, P.L.D.G., Farnham, Quebec, visited
relatives at Perth during the weekend.
Perth
Courier, May 8, 1941
Gerald
E. Young of Ottawa, who was rescued after the
recent sinking of a ship at sea, in which about 122 military personnel are
believed to have been lost, is a son-in-law of the Town Clerk and Mrs. Ed Young
of Perth. He is a native of Smith’s Falls and has been associated with the
Stores Audit Branch of the Department of National Defense in Ottawa for the past
13 years.
Perth
Courier, June 12, 1941
For a War Pilot, R.A.F.
If I must die
Let it be a swift and shattered flight
Through the smoking, violated night
In a rush of spaces
Let not my face
Be warped with fright.
But, at God’s height
And far beyond the blight
Of this mad, murderous race
My name in flames, fire-bright
If I must die
Gretchen Wellman, Jr.
Perth
Courier, June 26, 1941
Receives Wings
Robert
Elmer Drysdale, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Drysdale,
was one of a number of pilots who graduated from #7 Service Flying School at
MacLeod, Alberta on Friday. Sgt.
Drysdale, a student of the P.C.I., Perth, enlisted at Ottawa on Sept. 13 with
the R.C.A.F. and was sent to Brandon, Manitoba. After four weeks he transferred to Vancouver, B.C., where he
was until December 23; then he was sent to Regina.
After training there until January 27, he was transferred for further
flying instruction to Ft. William, Ontario.
From there he was able to come to Perth for a five day leave to visit his
parents. He left on April 27 to
complete his training at MacLeod, Alberta.
Now he is home on a ten day leave previous to resuming R.C.A.F. duties at
an eastern point.
Receives Wings
Lawrence
J. Rathwell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rathwell was
among those who received wings in a graduation class of bomber pilots at #5
Service Flying Training School at Brantford on June 14.
Proclamation To Be Read at Town Hall at 3 p.m. on Friday
Mayor
W.C. McLaren informed Perth council on Monday
evening that he had received a notice from Brigadier Logie Armstrong, officer
commanding military district #3 that an armed party from district headquarters
would visit Perth on Friday afternoon, July 4.
At 3:00 on Friday afternoon the party will present to Mayor McLaren a
proclamation which he will read to the people from the steps of the town hall.
Members of council and other citizens were requested in a notification to
attend at the time of the reading of the proclamation.
Delivery and reading of the proclamation, which will stress the immediate
need of men for the Canadian army, is an up to date version of an old time
custom and will be carried out through the Dominion, today (Thursday) and
Friday. In Canada’s early days when freedom was threatened the
system of calling the citizenry to the defense of their homes was for a horseman
to gallop to the outlying districts with an official proclamation that was read
to the public from the town hall steps. Today,
when Canada’s freedom is again threatened, the same system is being used, but
with the modern twist that the delivery will be made by motorcycle couriers in
battle dress.
Perth
Courier, July 31, 1941
Lance
Cpl W. Arthur Pope of the C.A.R.T.C.,
Peterborough, spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pope,
Craig Street.
Perth
Courier, August 7, 1941
Cpl.
Delbert Lake has returned to St. John, New
Brunswick after spending two weeks at his home in Fallbrook.
Murray
A. McLean, of the R.C.N.V.R. of Toronto, is
spending this weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.V. McLean.
A transfer from Toronto to the east coast is in prospect for Mr. McLean
in the near future.
Perth
Courier August 28, 1941
W.J.S.
Rogers, formerly of Perth, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.
M. Rogers, R.R.4, Perth, was one of a class of leading aircraftmen receiving
pilot’s wings at a ceremony at Number Four Service Flying Training School as
Saskatoon, Sask., on Wednesday of last week.
On Monday of this week he was granted a commission as pilot officer and
after a week’s holiday will resume his studies at Toronto.
Wing Commander Ernest McNab, D.C.F., leader of the first Royal Canadian
Air Force squadron in Britain, recently posted to Number Four School, officiated
for the first time at a graduation ceremony.
Stanley Rogers, who was born at Evesham, Sask., is a graduate of Perth
Collegiate Institute and previous to enlisting in the R.C.A.F. in December,
1940, was a sergeant in the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish.
Perth
Courier, October 9, 1941
Wings Presented to Ronald Morris Code
Another Perthite, Ronald Morris Code,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Code, received his wings at an interesting ceremony
at Camp Borden, when among a large class of graduates in flying were
representatives of all the provinces in Canada and of ten states in the U.S.A.,
received similar recognition on Tuesday evening. Attending the ceremony from Perth were Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn
Code, Miss Eleanor Code, Mrs. Amanda Code, Miss Maud Code, and Miss M. Brunet.
At present, Ronald is at home here on a ten day furlough, previous to
reporting for duty at an eastern port.
Perth
Courier, January 8, 1942
Edwin
George Code of Ottawa, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs.
Mervyn Code, has joined the anti-aircraft battery of the Cameron Highlanders.
He is the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Code to join the Canadian armed
forces.
Perth
Courier, Feb. 19, 1942
Two Perth Men Reported Missing After Air Raids
A casualty list published by the R.C.A.F.
on Wednesday listed the names of Pilot
Officer Robert Elmer Drysdale,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Drysdale and Flight
Sgt. William D. Hagyard, son of Dr. and Mrs. H.C. Hagyard, as missing after
air operations in which they had participated.
(Photos accompany article). Parents
of these two Perth boys received official notice from England late last week, to
the effect that they had failed to return to their bases after air battles.
On Saturday Dr. and Mrs. Hagyard received the following cable from
reliable sources in England: “In
big fight over enemy territory Bill’s machine hit at great height.
As he went down, continued wireless communication for five minutes.
Good chance, therefore, grounded safely.
Probably days, even weeks will elapse before definite news.
Will communicate as soon as I hear.”
Then on Monday further word was received from the same source that it was
definitely known that Bill’s machine had landed safely in enemy territory and
that he would therefore be a prisoner of war.
William D. Hagyard, a graduate of the Perth Collegiate Institute, joined
the R.C.A.F. in September, 1940; he trained at various schools of the
Commonwealth air training at Toronto, Dartmouth, Portage la Prairie, etc., and
received his wings at Uplands, Ottawa in April, 1941, being the second Perthite
to be “winged” during the present war and the first to graduate from the
Commonwealth air training schools. He
went overseas in May, 1941, and on the completion of a further training period
in England, was a participant in numerous bombing raids over enemy territory and
was in patrol work over the Norwegian, Danish and Netherland coast lines.
As a flyer he was highly regarded by his superior officers, who in
letters to Canada, commented on the “skill and daring” he exhibited in the
course of his air force duties. Interesting
in connection with Flight Sgt. Hagyard’s plight in being shot down over enemy
territory is the fact that in the channel engagement in the following days his
roommate, Don Morrison, succeeded in shooting down two Messerschmidts.
Pilot Officer Robert Elmer Drysdale, also a graduate of the Perth
Collegiate Institute, enlisted in the R.C.A.F. at Ottawa Sept. 13, 1940.
He trained in various Commonwealth air training schools in succeeding
weeks; was at Brandon for four weeks; then at Vancouver until late December; was
then at Regina for a month and then went to Fort William.
Late in March, and early in April he had a leave of a few days at his
home here and then trained at McLeod, Alberta; until June 20, 1941 when he
received his wings. Came then a ten
day leave at his home here previous to moving to eastern Canada.
He had the unique experience of going to England on a large liner and of
returning to Canada after that liner was in collision with an iceberg a short
distance from the Canadian coast; subsequently late in July, he made the
crossing safely. In England, in
common with other airmen from the Dominion, he participated in further extensive
training and was engaged in aerial duties with the R.A.F. until a few days ago
when (it is believed to be during the fight of the German battleships Gueisenau(?)
and Scharnhorst(?) and cruiser Prince Eugen(?) through the English Channel and
the accompanying air battle between hundreds and hundreds of British and enemy
aircraft) he failed to return to this base.
Both young men were deservedly popular in Perth and the sincere sympathy
of the entire community is extended to the parents and other relatives.
Perth
Courier, Feb. 26, 1942
Photo John
L. Dunlop, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert(?) Dunlop, who arrived overseas
recently. He is an air gunner with the R.C.A.F.
Perth
Courier, April 2, 1942
In Bombing Raid
In a recent bombing raid, on the German
port of Lubek(?) in the Baltic, where “so many fires were started we could not
count them” the second pilot on one of the Wellington bombers, the biggest in
action, was Flt. Sgt. W.R. Ferrier of
Montreal. Flt. Sgt. Ferrier is the only son of Harry Ferrier, formerly of Perth,
and a nephew of Walter Ferrier, for whom he is named, and who was killed in
action in the Great War.
Perth
Courier, May 21, 1942
Parents Advised James A. Easton Killed Overseas
On Monday morning of this week, Mr. and
Mrs. Albert Easton, Drummond Street, received the saddening news from the chief
air officer at Ottawa that their son, Flight Sgt. James A. Easton had been killed on active service overseas.
Born in Lanark 26 years ago, the late officer attended public school
there and moved to Perth with his parents when about high school age.
He graduated from Perth Collegiate Institute and was later employed in
the office of the Andrew Jergens Co., Ltd.
He was very popular in town, was a junior baseball player for several
years and was active in football and other athletics and his passing has been
regretted sincerely by the hundreds of friends he made in town and district
during his school years and subsequent years here.
Going to the United States, he was active in peace time aviation
activities at Floyd Bennett’s air field in New York, graduating as a pilot in
1938 and being awarded then the trophy for proficiency in flying awarded
annually by the Student Flyers’ Association of America.
Flight Sgt. Easton joined the R.C.A.F. in May, 1940, received his wings
at Jarvin(?) in December, 1940 and was also a graduate of No. 1 wireless school
at Montreal; his training, in addition to the two places mentioned, was at
Manning Pool and Halifax. He went
overseas in September, 1941 and his achievements in the air resulted in his
being promoted to Flight Sergeant some time ago.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by two brothers, George of
Perth and Kenneth of the R.C.A.F. Toronto, and two sisters, Misses Mary and
Margaret at home. Funeral service
was at 2:00 p.m. (English time) on Wednesday and interment was at Docking
Cemetery, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England. At
an hour on Wednesday morning, corresponding to the time of the funeral in
England, Rev. W.R. Alp, B.A., pastor at St. Paul’s United Church, conducted a
service at the home of the deceased’s parents on Drummond Street, attended by
the immediate relatives of the late Flt. Sgt. Easton.
Perth
Courier, June 18, 1942
Photo Corp.
Borden Tully, of the R.C.A.F., who cabled his parents Mr. and Mrs. James
Tully, of his safe arrival in Colombo, Ceylon.
For the past two years he has been stationed in England.
Perth
Courier, June 4, 1942
Photo Corp.
Norman Moss, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Moss of Maberly, who arrived in England
safely.
Perth
Courier, July 2, 1942
Squadron Leader Harper is Now Reported Missing
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
only two months ago, Squadron Leader
Clifton Harper, D.F.C., of the Royal Air Force is reported missing.
He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. H.P. Harper of Brighton and a nephew of
Robert Ferguson and Sam and James Harper of McDonald’s Corners.
Squadron Leader Harper is reported missing following air operations in
the Far East, according to a communication received by his parents.
No information was given other than that he was missing.
A former school teacher, Squadron Leader Harper joined the Royal Air
Force prior to the outbreak of the war. He has seen action in England, the
Middle East, Java, Sumaria and Singapore. It
was for distinguished action in the Far East during the Battle of Barma(?) that
he was awarded the D.F.C.
Major Gemmell Stated Missing in the Middle East
Mr. and Mrs. R.K. Gemmell, Drummond
Street, received word last week that their son, Major
T.R.Gemmell, was officially reported as missing as a result of military
operations in the Middle East on June 6. Major Gemmell, a graduate of the Perth
public school, Runnymede Collegiate in Toronto, and the R.M.C., Kingston, had
better than five years experience with the Royal Artillery.
Following his graduation from the R.M.C. in Kingston he was at
Officers’ Training School in England for several months.
On April 1, 1937, with a Royal Military Detachment, he landed in Bombay;
later he saw service in the famed Khyber Pass.
He was a veteran of the Abyssinian and Eritrean campaigns through which
the Italians were chased out of huge areas of Africa.
Since those campaigns he has been engaged in operations in the Middle
East.
Perth
Courier, July 16, 1942
Prisoner Of War
Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Gemmell received a cable from England early this week conveying the official information that their son, Major T.R. Gemmell, previously reported missing as a result of operations in the Middle East, was now known to be a prisoner of war.
Perth Courier, July 23, 1942
Flying Officer M.A. McCallum Now In Egypt
A grandson of the late Rev. H. J.
McDiarmid, former retired Presbyterian minister in Perth, Flying Officer Malcolm A. McCallum, C8063, R.C.A.F., attached to the
R.A.F., has been in Egypt for about a month and has been promoted from Pilot
Officer. He graduated from Galt
Collegiate, worked in the Imperial Bank there, in Brantford, Hamilton, and North
Bay, where he enlisted. He trained
as a radio technician in Toronto. Two
days after last Christmas he left on a perilous voyage to England and was
stationed in Wales. In May, his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas McCallum, Galt, were thankful to receive a letter
from a stranger, posted in the U.S.A., telling he had seen two other Canadians
in West Africa, well and in good spirits but anxious whether their parents knew
their whereabouts and asked him to take a letter on his return airplane trip to
post in the U.S.A. He could not do
that but promised to write the parents. In
about a week after their son was seen the parents had a letter, but unsigned.
Three uncles and an aunt as nursing sister from Rev. Mr. McDiarmid’s
family, served with distinction in the Great War.
Their names are in the Perth Book of Remembrance and on a St. Paul’s
Church memorial tablet.
Perth
Courier, July 31, 1942
Major T.R. Gemmell a Prisoner Of War
Mr. and Mrs. R.K. Gemmell received a
post card on Tuesday from their son Major
T.R. Gemmell, who is a prisoner of war in Italy, stating that he was
slightly wounded but that his wounds were healing nicely.
Carleton Place Air Gunner Wins Decoration
Flight
Sgt. Thomas O. McIlquham, a cool, 31 year old air
gunner from Carleton Place, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for
destroying two Nazi fighters, it was announced yesterday.
McIlquham is credited with shooting down a Focke-Wulf during the 1,000
plane attack on Cologne and a Messerschmidt in the assault on Bremen a few
nights later. Holding his fire on
both occasions until he was sure his bullets wouldn’t miss, McIlquham ripped
accurate bursts into each adversary. He is now in the hospital suffering from a
delayed concussion and is counting the days until he can climb back in to the
turret of his Halifax. The doctors
said he would be on his feet in the immediate future.
The raid was a hectic one for McIlquham.
Before he destroyed his first victim, he drove off another Focke-Wulf
which made two attempts to shoot down his aircraft.
By the light of the full moon he spotted the Nazi 1,000 yards astern.
He waited until he was within 350 yards before he fired.
The fighter was forced to break off the engagement, but returned, firing
all the time. McIlquham pressed the
buttons, and saw his bullets rip into the Nazi, who stalled and went into a flat
spin. His destruction was not
confirmed because no one could keep it in their observation all the way down.
Half an hour later, McIlquham spotted another Focke-Wulf.
The Nazi attacked from below, astern, and again the Canadian gunner
waited until his target was in close range.
He gave it a five second burst. “Almost
at once” he said, “the fighter stopped firing, caught fire, and dived. I and other members of the crew saw it hit the ground and
explode.” McIlquham was suffering
from concussion when he destroyed the Messerschmidt and was unaware of it until
afterwards. The night before his
encounter he was hit on the head by a shell fragment, which ripped his helmet
open.
Perth
Courier, August 6, 1942
Sgt. Pilot Douglas Berlis Pilots Bomber to England
Sgt.
Pilot Douglas A. Berlis, son of Rev. H.A. Berlis
of Toronto, formerly of Perth, has arrived safely in Britain after piloting a
bomber across the Atlantic, his father was notified by cable on Monday.
Sgt. Pilot Berlis attended collegiate in Toronto and the Perth Collegiate
Institute at Perth. Four years ago he won the Trinity University scholarship in
moderns and graduated from the university with a B.A. Degree.
He took a special course in navigation before leaving for Britain.
Perth
Courier, August 13, 1942
Photo Pilot
Officer Robert Elmer Drysdale
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Drysdale received a
telegram on Saturday, August 1 from the Air Ministry stating that advice had
been received from the International Red Cross quoting German information that
their son Pilot Officer Robert Elmer Drysdale, J7592, had lost his life on Feb.
12, 1942 and that he must now be considered missing, believed killed.
Perth
Courier, August 20, 1942
R.E. Whyte promoted to rank of Staff Sergeant
Word has been received here of the
promotion at Glacia(?) Barracks, Halifax, N.S. of Sgt. R.E. Whyte to the rank of
Staff Sergeant. Staff Sgt. R.E. Whyte is a member of the Atlantic Command motor
transport of the R.C.A.S.C. He is a
son of Mrs. James Whyte and the late Mr. Whyte of Watson’s Corners. At
the outbreak of the war he was operating a taxi business in Gowganda(?), Ont.
He disposed of his business and in June of 1940 enlisted in the Royal
Canadian Army Service Corps and has been stationed at Halifax for nearly two
years.
Israel Hoffman Commissioned as Pilot Officer in Air Force
Israel Hoffman, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs.
David Hoffman, Perth, received his wings at a graduation ceremony at No.8
Service Flying Training School at
Moncton, N.B. on Friday of last week and was commissioned a Pilot Officer the
next day. Pilot Officer Hoffman was
born at Ottawa and came to Perth with his parents about 15 years ago.
Following graduation from the Perth Collegiate Institute, he was employed
in Ottawa for a time. On June 19,
1940, he enlisted in the Cameron Highlanders.
Subsequently, he transferred to the R.C.A.F., the transfer being
effective in September, 1941. His
training in the air force was at Manning Pool, Toronto; the initial training
school at Victoriasburg, Que.; and the services flying training school at
Moncton from which he graduated on Friday.
Flying Officer Hoffman, with a large volume of flying hours to his credit
at the time of graduation, passed in fourth position in a large class of
graduates.
Perth
Courier, August 27, 1942
A Former Rideau Ferry Boy Wounded at Dieppe
Mrs. Laura O’Moara of Rideau Ferry
received word during the weekend that her son, Pte. Anthony Olden Thomlinson had
been wounded in the commando raid at Dieppe last week. He is 23 years of age and was born at Rideau Ferry and
attended Perth Collegiate Institute in recent years.
While employed in the West he enlisted in the South Saskatchewan Regiment
in April, 1940. In December of that
same year he went overseas with that unit. He has one brother, Stanislaus, with an R.A.F. unit in India.
His father died in 1919 and his mother with another brother, Ronald, live
at Rideau Ferry. He has two
sisters, Miss W. Thomlinson of Toronto, and Mrs. John Hoger(?) of Decatur,
Illinois.
Sgt. Pilot W. P. Begley Believed Killed in Action
Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs.
Charles M. Presby that their nephew, Sgt.
Pilot Wilson Patterson Begley, Quebec City, is reported missing, believed
killed, after air operations on July 25. Sgt.
Begley was stationed in Cairo. Later,
Mr. and Mrs. Presby received word from the parents of the missing airman that
information secured by the International Red Cross from Italian sources
confirmed the fact that Sgt. Pilot Begley has lost his life in air operations on
July 25.
Perth
Courier, September 7, 1942
Pte. Edward D. Young Passed Away in England
Town Clerk Ed Young and Mrs. Young
received a cable from overseas on Wednesday conveying the sad news that their
son Pte. Edward D. Young had died in England that morning. A member of the postal corps, Pte Young had been overseas
only a few months; enlisting about ten months ago, he left Ottawa with an
overseas contingent early in April. In
his last letter to his parents, Pte. Young mentioned that he was not enjoying as
good health as usual but there was no further word of his being so seriously ill
until the receipt of the cable on Wednesday announcing his demise.
Pte. Young was born at Perth 27 years ago; he received his education here
and about four years ago joined the local post office staff; for the past two
years he had been on the night staff of the local office and was a permanent
member of the civil service. Remaining
to mourn his loss besides his sorrowing parents are six sisters, Miss Edna Young
of the Wampole Company staff; Helen, Mrs. Frank Clyne of New York; Natalie, Mrs.
John Flett of Perth; Marie, Mrs. Quentin J. Guilet(?) of Ottawa; Veronica, Mrs.
Gerald Young of Ottawa and Miss Carmel Young of the local post office staff.
Perth
Courier, September 24, 1942
Three pictures accompany this long article, which is not transcribed in full, only the first paragraph. The pictures are of Pilot Officer Robert Elmer Drysdale; Flight Sergeant James Albert Easton; and Flight Sergeant William Dewey Hagyard.
Memorial Service On Sunday Drew Very Large Congregation
Urging that people at home match, as far
as is humanly possible, the sacrifices of the men who give their lives overseas;
that people lay aside their selfishness and dollar basis patriotism and neglect
of the worship of God, to the end that the sacrifices made overseas be not in
vain, Rev. W.R. Alp, B.A., gave an inspirational and thought provoking address
and one in which he touched the sensibilities and affected the consciences of
many who heard him at a memorial service in St. Paul’s Church on Sunday
afternoon, in tribute to the memory of three young men from that church, Pilot
Officer Elmer Drysdale, Flight Sergeant James Albert Easton and Flight Sergeant
William Dewey Hagyard.
Perth
Courier, October 1, 1942
P.J. McManus Is Commissioned As a Pilot Officer
Patrick
J. McManus son of Mr. and Mrs. J.J. McManus of
Perth and a former member of the Perth post office staff received his wings at a
graduation ceremony at Brantford on Thursday, Sept. 24 and was commissioned as a
pilot officer on the following day. Pilot
Officer McManus, a graduate of St. John’s School and the Perth Collegiate
Institute, was appointed to the Perth post office staff in July of 1940.
In September of the following year he joined the R.C.A.F. and
subsequently trained at Toronto, Guelph, Malton and Brantford.
Completing his training there, he stood fourth in his class ground school
and was well up in the list in flying marks obtained.
Popular with his instructors and fellow students, he was co-editor of the
station paper.
Rescued Trapped Rear-Gunner
A dispatch from London on Monday stated
that Pilot Officer R.F. Jenner of Ottawa and formerly of Perth had rescued the
trapped rear gunner of a blazing Stirling bomber after two crewmates had
sacrificed their lives in the attempt. The
huge plane was forced to crash land in England after being badly damaged over
the Continent. Pilot
Officer Raoul de Fonteny Jenner, 22, who received his commission a month
ago, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred E. Jenner of Ottawa, formerly of Perth.
He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in 1940.
Perth
Courier, November 26, 1942
A Get-Together Overseas, Idea of Capt. A. Campbell
Writing from England a few days ago, Capt.
Alex Campbell commented on the number of Perth men in the various armed
forces there and suggested that it would be a wonderful thing if all of them
could be assembled in London for a get-together on a suitable evening for a
dinner and show or some similar evening recreation.
Capt. Campbell sought the addresses of local men in England.
He stated he was willing to contribute twenty pounds to the expenses of
such a get-together if enough contributions would come from the Perth people to
cover the rest of the costs. Remembering
a similar occasion of the last war, sponsored by Major Hoop or Hope in France,
the local branch of the Canadian Legion looks with much favor on the proposal
and is sponsoring an appeal to Perth citizens for contributions towards such an
occasion. Those who wish to make a
contribution are asked to contact A.L. Code, president, or B.L. Ferrier,
secretary of the Perth branch of the Legion.
Perth
Courier, December 3, 1942
Injured in England
Walter McKee received word a few days
ago that his son Warrant Officer Kenneth
McKee had been injured in an accident in England and fortunately, was on the
road to recovery. Riding a
motorcycle, he was sandwiched between two trucks; struck by one and thrown
against the other as the two trucks converged on each side of his machine.
He suffered two broken bones in the right hand, a broken rib and other
bruises and minor injuries in the mishap.
Perth
Courier, December 24, 1942
Sergeant Pilots Norman Davis and D.F. Burchell Are Reported Missing
Photos of each officer
About six weeks ago word was received by
the parents in Perth that two more Perth boys were listed as missing following
an operational flight over Germany on November 9. These were Sergeant
Pilot Norman Davis, son of Mrs. E.B. Patermore and Sergeant Pilot Donald Fred Burchell son of Mr. and Mrs. F.W.
Burchell. Early this week the
parents had received official notice that their sons were still reported as
missing. Both were in the
(illegible word—same?) bomber. Davis
was not an original member of the crew of that bomber but was put in charge of
that bomber for that flight. Sergeant
Pilot Davis was born in Perth 25(?) 26(?) years ago.
He enlisted at Toronto and trained at Manning Depot, Trenton,
Victoriaville, graduating at Uplands on December 19, 1941, and went overseas in
January, 1942. He was employed by
the Andrew Jergens Company here before enlisting.
Sgt. Burchell is 28(?) 26(?) years old and was born at Brussels, Ont.,
coming to Perth with his parents two years ago. He received his training at Manning Pool, Toronto, Trenton,
Winnipeg and received his wings at Mountain View on December 6, 1941.
He went overseas in January, 1942. Included
in the crew of Davis and Burchell in the Wellington bomber were Flt. Sgt. J.H.G.
T - - - - of Ottawa; Sgt. W.S. Bourk, Winnipeg; Sgt. F.J. Wellwood, Whitechurch,
Ont.; and Sgt. Norman Raitblat of Toronto.
Sgt. Wellwood has since been listed as a prisoner of war in Germany.
Perth
Courier, January 28, 1943
Reported Killed in Germany
Photo Donald Fred Burchell
A few days ago Mr. and Mrs. F.W.
Burchell received word from R.C.A.F. headquarters at Ottawa that that
organization had been notified by the Geneva Red Cross that the body of their
son Flight Sgt. Donald Fred Burchell had been buried in the new cemetery at
Ewischmaka(?) in Germany, early in November.
Coupled with the report was the statement that the report had come from
enemy sources and while it was not final, for official purposes would be
accepted temporarily pending the receipt of other confirmation or news to the
contrary. Flight Sergeant Burchell
was reported missing after an operational flight over Germany November 9, 1942;
his parents were notified immediately and late in December his name was included
in a published casualty list as “reported missing”. Born in Brussels(?),
Ont., 26 years ago, a son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Burchell, the deceased airman
came to Perth with his parents two years ago.
Enlisting in the R.C.A.F. he received his training at Manning Pool,
Toronto; Trenton and Mountain View, receiving his wings at the latter school on
December 6, 1941. Included in the
crew of the bomber in which he was flying and which did not return to England
were Sergeant Pilot Norman Davis of
Perth, reported missing; Sgt. F.J. Wellwood of White Church, Ont., listed as a
prisoner of war in Germany; Flt. Sgt. J.H.G. Tesse(?) of Ottawa; Sgt. W.S. Bourk
of Winnipeg and Sgt. Norman Gallblat(?) of Toronto.
Surviving besides his parents are one sister, Miss Francis Burchell and
three brothers, Scott, Joseph and Peter Burchell, all of whom have the sincere
sympathy of all their many friends in the town and district.
Perth
Courier, Feb. 11, 1943
Perth District Men in Forces
Names of Perth District Men in Canadian or U.S.A. forces have been supplied to the Courier for inclusion in the list published occasionally since that list has been published in full in January are: (transcriber’s note: see additional transcription of a full list)
Brown,
G.K.
Brown,
M.H.
Burke,
E.A.
Claus(?),
Norman Felix
Cooper,
Vernon J.
DiCola,
E.R.
Driscoll,
James
Dufresne,
Paul A.
Fife,
George Bertram
Fournier,
Joseph Ed
Grover,
C.J.
Hanlon,
Ralph
Harper,
Earle H.
Holmes,
Lawrence
Kirkham,
Arthur
Kirkham,
J. Ross
Lee,
Joseph P.
Lee,
Ronald M.
Lee,
William J.
Leonard,
Edward
Leonard,
Patrick J.
Manders,
Vera J.
McGarry, Andrew
McKerracher,
Wilfred
Nagle,
John Joseph
Paul,
Arthur
Porteous,
Lionel G.
Rathwell,
James W.
Rodger,
Leonard
Rothery,
Ernest
Russell,
Martin
Rutherford,
Charles T.
Sparks,
Sidney
Strong,
Irene
Strong,
Willard J.
Thompson,
Murray J.
Turner,
Ted
White,
D.S.
White,
M.H.
White,
V.
Wrathall,
E.L.
Perth
Courier, Feb. 25, 1943
F.O. Norman Hartney Killed in Bomb Raid Over Enemy Territory
(Photo)
On February 15, Flying Officer Norman
John Hartney, aged 22 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hartney, 95 Roseneath
Gardens, Toronto, and grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Hartney of Perth
was reported killed in a bombing raid over enemy territory. Flying Officer
Hartney was born in Toronto and educated at St. Clare School, De La Salle, and
Vaughan Road Collegiate. He played
hockey for the Columbus Boys Club and rugby for the Vaughan Road Collegiate and
softball in the St. Clair League. Enlisting
in the RCAF in Feb., 1941 he trained at London, Chatham, N.B, and Belleville and
was winged as an air observer at Mountain View. He was commissioned a pilot officer the day after graduation.
His father, John Hartney, is a member of the composing room staff of the
Toronto Star, a graduate printer of the Perth Courier and served overseas in the
Great War with the Canadian Field Artillery.
Flying Officer Hartney is survived by his parents and one sister, Joyce. Prior to enlisting he resided in Perth and for a term was a
student in the Perth Collegiate Institute and a member of the rugby team and a
participant in school athletics. He
was a nephew of Mrs. Helen Mullen, Grant Street, Perth.
Perth
Courier, March 4, 1943
Squadron Leader Kenneth C. Wilson Rescued After Five Days on an Ice Flow
(Photo)
Squadron Leader Kenneth C. Wilson,
younger son of Lt. Col and Mrs. E. H. Wilson of Perth, was rescued from an ice
flow on Northumberland Strait on Monday afternoon after a harrowing five days on
the floe after parachuting from a plane which he was forced to desert and the
news of his safety, wired to Perth immediately, ended a period of suspense
endured by his parents and hundreds of friends here since word reached Perth
last Wednesday that he was missing after bailing out of his plane.
A Canadian press dispatch on Monday told of the rescue and the hardships
endured by Squadron Leader Wilson and three other members of his crew:
“After drifting five days on an ice flow in the wintry waters of
Northumberland Strait, four members of a crashed RCAF bomber were rescued Monday
afternoon three miles off the New Brunswick coast and brought ashore at Cape
Tormantine, N.B. They were picked
up by the ice-breaking car ferry Prince Edward Island after a searching air
force plane sighted them and guided the ferry to their aid. The four men
parachuted into the strait last Wednesday night after their twin engine bomber
from the Dartmouth, N.B.air base ran into difficulties and had to be abandoned
in mid air. They were
Squadron Leader Kenneth C. Wilson of Perth, Ont.; F.O. A.J. Barrette of Ottawa;
P.O. William Augustus Richardson of the United States; and Warrant Officer
Second Class Joseph Albert Dobson of Bathurst, N.B.
The aircraft was the one which unloaded its cargo of depth charges about
a mile outside Charlottetown Wednesday night after it and three other planes in
the squadron lost their way in the fog. Two
of the aircraft managed to land on Charlottetown airport and the third crashed
about six miles from the home base at Dartmouth, killing the four crew members.
Despite their freezing ordeal on the surface of the ice cake, the four
men were in remarkably good condition although suffering from exposure and frost
bite. Only one had to be carried
aboard in a stretcher while the others were able to clamber on the rescue craft
without assistance. They were taken
aboard about 3:00 Monday afternoon and brought ashore at Cape Tormantine. They
were later rushed to the RCAF hospital at Moncton, N.B.
From information obtained from those aboard the ferry, it is believed the
four flyers crawled on the ice after parachuting down and then made their way
together. It was some time Thursday
before they were able to reach one another and make plans for their united
actions, according to those reports. The
ice floe from which they were taken was only thirty yards square although
substantial and thick enough to weather a light storm.
During most of the time they were afloat the weather was severe, with
near zero temperatures and scudding snow squalls to make them more
uncomfortable. They had only one
fire during the time they drifted up and down the strait with the winds and the
tides, almost within sight of the shore. It
is believed they used their parachutes to kindle that one small blaze that kept
them warm for a few minutes before the cold set in again.
All they had to eat were a few chocolate bars they had with them as they
left the plane. They rationed
themselves strictly and lived on one quarter of a bar a day until they were
sighted. Then provisions were
dropped to them from a hovering search plane and a few hours later the car ferry
came crunching through the ice cakes to rescue them. What they used for water
during their imprisonment on the ice is not known but presumably they were able
to melt ice. An attempt was made
first to send a flying boat to their aid but this had to be abandoned because of
the treacherous ice flow. Then the
ferry was signaled and called off course to rescue them. Another C.P. dispatch on the same day stated that
F.V.Barrette and P.O. Richardson were the two suffering from frost bite and that
Squadron Leader Wilson and Warrant Officer Dobson were in nearly perfect
physical condition despite the hardships of five days on the ice flow.”
Perth
Courier, March 18, 1943
Vernon Cavanagh Gunner on that Corvette Regina
Daily papers on Saturday told of the
success of the Canadian Corvette H.M.C.S. Regina in sinking its third submarine
and there was keen local interest in the story of the exploit because Vernon
Cavanagh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Cavanagh of Perth is a gunner on that
corvette. The sub was an Italian
and 20 of the crew were captured by the Regina.
Excerpts from the story told were: First
blood of the action was drawn by the corvette’s depth charge crews who sent
their “ashcans” seaward with such effect that the submarine was forced to
surface. Then at close range, the
corvette’s Oerelikon(?) guns went into action with deadly and telling effect.
In the words of Lt. Commander Freeland, the gun crews of the ship
“cleaned up the submarine’s gun crews and officers very quickly”.
Immediately after the action, a tiny Italian flag was painted under a
black cross on the Regina’s forward gunshield.
The flag was made purposely small to make room for more “notches” in
case the corvette increases its bag. Congratulatory
signals were received from the Admiralty and the naval commander of the North
Africa Expeditionary Force.
Perth
Courier, April 15, 1943
Pte.
Michael Mahon returned to Dartmouth, N.S. after
spending his furlough with his parents Mr. and Mrs. T.V. O’Connor, 61 Craig
St.
LAC
Howard Radford of C.F.S., Trenton, Ont., spent
last weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Radford, Dewitt’s Corners.
Photo Sergeant John Leonard Dunlop
Reported Killed
Sgt. John Leonard Dunlop, son of Mr. and
Mrs. W. J. Dunlop, who has been missing overseas since December 11, and who is
now reported killed on that date according to a letter received by Mr. and Mrs.
Dunlop from R.C.A.F. headquarters. The
letter from the RCAF casualties officer at Ottawa, states “The Royal Canadian
Air Force casualties officer overseas has informed me that a report has been
received from the International Red Cross Society which states that your son,
Sgt. John Leonard Dunlop and the rest of the crew were killed instantly when
their air craft crashed in the forest of Chatellion Sur Seine on December 11,
1942. The report also states that
your son was buried in the cemetery at Villiers LeDue(?) Cote D’Or District of
Chatellion Sur Seine, Monthard, France. Presumption
of death action is being instituted by the air ministry and when your son’s
death has been officially presumed you will be notified by telegram”.
Sgt. Dunlop was born in Perth 23 years ago a son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert
J. Dunlop, Harvey St. He attended
Perth public school and collegiate institute and after graduation from the
latter was employed at the plant of the Andrew Jergens Co., Ltd.
He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in January of 1941 and trained at Picton,
Debert, Halifax, Toronto and Jarvis, receiving his wings at the latter school.
He went overseas in January of 1942.
Flt.
Sgt. W.R. Affleck, son of Reeve and Mrs. L.C.
Affleck, of Lanark, has been officially reported missing overseas.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nixon received word
last Saturday that their son Lance Corp.
Eric Nixon, had arrived overseas.
Alan
Cole, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cole who went
overseas with the Cameron Highlanders, celebrated his third birthday in the
British Isles a few days ago.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Quatrocchi have received
a cable from their son, Corp. Murray
Quatrocchi, telling of his safe arrival overseas.
Mrs. Hubert Armstrong received a cable a
few days ago from her husband Corp. H.
Armstrong, R.C.A.F., stating that he had arrived safely overseas.
Perth
Courier, April 22, 1943
Photo Flight Sgt. Walter R. Affleck
Walter Affleck Reported Missing
Official word has reached his parents in
Lanark that Flight Sergeant Walter
Raymond Affleck of the Royal Canadian Air Force is missing after air
operations over enemy territory. Flight
Sgt. Affleck is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Affleck of Lanark and has been many
months in active service. He
enlisted in the R.C.A.F. on his 18th birthday, October 19, 1940 and
reported for duty in January of 1941, training at Brandon, Toronto, Moncton,
Montreal and Jarvis where he received his wireless air gunner wings on November
8 with the rank of sergeant. Proceeding
overseas, he was attached to the R.A.F. and had many operational flights to his
credit. His crew, of which four
were Canadians, was the veteran crew of his squadron. He was promoted to the rank of flight sergeant early this
year. His pilot, Flight Sgt. M.E.
White of Centreville, N.B., was recently awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal
for conspicuous work when their huge bomber became damaged on an operational
tour but was brought back safely to base. Flt. Sgt. Affleck was born in Toronto
in 1922, moving to Lanark with his parents in 1928 when The Lanark Era was
purchased by his father. He
received his education at the Lanark Public and Continuation Schools and
afterwards was associated with his father in publication of The Lanark Era.
Cpl. J.M. Bennett Died in England
Overseas for three years, Corp. J.M.
Bennett died in England on Friday, April 16, according to a communication
received by Mrs. Bennett from the Director of Records at Ottawa.
Corp. Bennett, a veteran of the First Great War, went overseas with the 7th
Construction Company of the Royal Canadians Engineers.
His death was the result of sub-(unreadable word) hemorrhage.
In the last letter from her husband, Mrs. Bennett was advised he took
sick on March 3, but she was unaware that he was seriously ill.
Copr. Bennett went overseas March 4, 1941.
He was born at Bathurst 46(?) years ago a son of the late Mr. and Mrs.
John Bennett and on return from overseas in 1919 followed the carpentry trade.
He was married in England in 1919 to Maude James of Dorking(?), Surrey.
In addition to his wife he is survived by three sons, A.C.1 Ronald G.(?)
Bennett, R.C.A.F., Moosebank(?) Sask. Howard and Bruce at home and one daughter
Josephine at home. Also surviving are three brothers, William of Brooke; Richard
of Detroit; and John in Alberta.
A Watch Fob to Spr. F. Bennett
Sapper
F.W. Bennett, formerly of Perth, and brother of
Mrs. John Jackman, Mrs. William Hogan, Mrs. Guy Leonard and Miss Helen Bennett,
all of Perth, was one of 197 Canadians to whom watch fobs were presented in
England at a ceremony recently. The
watch fobs were donated by Hon. C.D. Howe, Canadian Minister of Munitions and
Supply, himself an engineer who has followed closely the work of the Canadian
sappers and were presented by the Commander of the Canadian Army, Lt. Gen. A.G.L.
McNaughton. Recipients were all of
the Royal Canadian Engineers and had returned to England after two years of
tunneling work to improve the defenses of Gibraltar. Sapper Bennett was born at Perth, a son of the late Mr. and
Mrs. Felix Bennett and grew to manhood here; for the past fifteen years, he had
been employed in the northern Ontario mining centers. His home town is Virginiatown, Ontario. He has been overseas three years.
Perth
Courier, April 29, 1943
Sgt. Pilot Jack O. Munroe Killed Overseas
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Munroe received
the sad news a few days ago that their son Sgt. Pilot Jack Oswald Munroe had been killed on active service overseas on
April 19. Deceased was born at
Maberly 19 years ago; he attended Perch Collegiate Institute four years and then
was for a year at Chesley High School enlisting in the R.C.A.F. after
graduation. Well known and highly
regarded in Perth and district his death is regretted by many friends and the
sympathy of the community is extended to his parents.
Flying Officer John McLeod Hogg Killed in Active Service in Africa
(Photo)
Late last week Councillor and Mrs. Hogg
received the sad news that their son Flying Officer John McLeod Hogg, previously reported missing when he failed to
return to base, after an operational flight, had been killed in action, and that
the body had been recovered. Mr.
and Mrs. Walter Hogg have the deep sympathy not only of this community but of
scores of people throughout the province in the death of their son one of this
town’s outstanding athletes during and for several years after his collegiate
career. Among those many friends
was Walter T. Brown chancellor of Victoria University, Toronto, who, when the
late pilot was reported missing, wrote of his manliness, uprightness and
integrity all of which character traits of his were so well known to his
friends. Dr. J.H. Hardy, principal
of the Perth Collegiate Institute, said that John Hogg’s “great influence
for good sportsmanship, his keen sense of justice and great loyalty meant much
to the morale and character of the boys he worked with.” The late flying officer, who was born at Sherbrooke, would
have attained his 33rd birthday on April 18 if he had lived until
that date. He attended public
school in Renfrew and Lindsay and came to Perth with his parents 12 years ago.
He graduated from the Perth Collegiate Institute and then took an arts
course at Victoria University, Toronto, graduating with a B.A. Degree in the
spring of 1941. He enlisted immediately with the R.C.A.F. training at St.
Hubert, Victoriaville, Windsor Mills and Summerside, P.E.I., where he graduated
with wings and commission on April 10, 1942.
Late that month he went overseas and was in operational training until
September. Late in November he was posted to an R.A.F. fighter squadron
and transferred to North Africa, arriving there in December.
Since that time he has participated regularly in the operational flights
of the fighter squadron to which he was attached and his successes were such as
to result in his being promoted “on the field” to the rank of flying
officer. During his school and
college years, the extra-curricular activities in which he participated and was
a leader were various and numerous and included much of the athletic phases of
school life. He played handball and
toured northern Ontario with a Smith’s Falls team; at local and county track
meets he won many medals and cups; was intermediate and senior champion of P.C.I.,
winning the Girdwood Trophy in 1937. Many
of his athletic triumphs were in the high jump but at Victoria University he was
captain of the rugby team in 1940(?), won his letter in inter-collegiate hockey
and was treasurer of the men’s athletic union of the college.
At P.C.I. he was a member of the collegiate orchestra, captain of the
cadet corps for two years and was also, for a time, secretary of the Hardy Y.M.C.
At the university his activities other than athletic included being vice
president of the 4T1 permanent executive and president of the 4T2 spring
executive. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Church. For six years he spent a portion of each summer as an
instructor at the Ontario Athletic Commission’s provincial camp and Lake
Couchiching near Orilla and the balance of those summers between university
sessions was devoted largely to training track and field athletes at the P.C.I.
Flying Officer Hogg is survived by his parents, by one sister Miss Marion
Hogg, who is in the third year of an honor course at Toronto University and one
brother Douglas Hogg attending P.C.I.
Perth
Courier, May 13, 1943
Photo
Seaman
John Kanelakos
Seaman John Kanelakos of the D.E.M.S.
(defensively equipped merchant service) who has been on active service since
1940, has been spending his first leave in three years in Perth, returned to the
east coast on Saturday to report for active service.
Mr. Kanelakos has been on loan to the Norwegian merchant service in the
capacity of gunnery and armament officer on a number of ships sailing under the
Norwegian flag.
Sgt. Robert Milliken Reported Missing
Official word has reached his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. R.(?) H.(?) Milliken, Dundas Street, Trenton, Ontario, that their
son, Sgt. Robert Clifton Milliken is
missing after air operations over enemy territory. 27 years old, Sgt. Milliken was born at Ayr, Ontario, moving
to Perth with his parents in 1935 and attending Perth public schools and P.C.I.
Prior to enlisting he was employed as a trainman with the C.P.R.
He enlisted in September, 1940, reported for duty in January, 1941 and
trained at Ancienne Lorette, Montreal and Jarvis where he received his wireless
air gunner wings June 10, spending three months operational training at
Pennsfield ridge, proceeding overseas in November, 1942.
Since January, he has taken part in many raids over enemy territory in
Germany, flying a Vont- - - - bomber.
In a letter to his parents from his O.C. he was reported to be “an excellent wireless operator air
gunner, very keen on his job, popular with all of us and will be much missed.”
Perth
Courier, May 20, 1943
F.O. John McLeod Hogg
Photo
Councillor and Mrs. Walter Hogg have
received further information some days ago concerning their son Flying Officer John
McLeod Hogg. Flying Officer
Hogg was reported missing on April 12 and later reported killed in air
operations against the enemy. The
body was recovered April 18 from Sousee(?) Harbor and buried 6:00 pm April 22 at
Sousee(?) on the way to Sfax(?) Tunisia.
Robert J. White Awarded the D.F.M. For Coolness
Air Force Headquarters in Ottawa
announced on Tuesday night that the Distinguished Flying Medal had been awarded
to Flying Officer Robert J. White son
of Mr. and Mrs. W.G. White of Perth. The
citation said: “Flight Officer
Robert J. White as navigator has participated in attacks on some of the
enemy’s most heavily defended targets. His
operational career has been marked by the exceptional coolness he has shown in
times of danger and stress. This
airman has always exhibited the greatest keenness to take part in operations.”
Robert J. White, who is 24 years old, enlisted in January, 1941 and went
overseas in 1942. He is serving with an R.A.F. squadron as navigator under the
Bomber Command. Early this year he
took part in the successful raid in Turin, Italy, being mentioned in dispatches.
He is a graduate of the P.C.I. and a former Blue Wing hockey star.
Perth
Courier, May 27, 1943
Perth Boys Have Old Home Week In England
Writing to Ted Dupuls(?) from overseas Jim
Rutherford mentioned having seen a lot of the Perth boys nearly every
weekend. J. C. Murphy, Charlie
Williams, Moose Dixon, Dan Mitchell, and Arnie Douglas are some of the Perth
boys who are stationed in the vicinity. They
have a reunion at weekends. Sgt.
(Ted) J.F. O’Gorman, in a letter, also mentions having had quite an “old
home week” on the station after the last draft arrived.
Paddy Kent, Art McGlade, Joe Lee,
and Johnny Mahan came over with him and Don
Hogan, Hubert Armstrong, Carmen Clemenis, Jack Hudson and Lorne Patterson
came on the last draft with the 42nd.
In addition, Doug Troke, Sparky
and Wilf McAdam, Bob, George and Odie Young, Ab and Norman Cooper, Bill Hewitt,
Bob Wilson, Len Rogers, a Burke chap and three of four others from Smith’s
Falls are on a nearby station so local boys are seeing a great deal of each
other.
Perth
Courier, June 17, 1943
Photo
Pte. E.D. Frizell Died in Hospital After Injury
Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Frizell have received
word concerning the death of their son Earnest D. Frizell, aged 22(?) years,
which occurred in the hospital in England following a motor cycle accident in
which he suffered injury to his foot. A
clot of blood was formed and when the heart was slowed down under the anesthetic
death occurred. The following
letter has been received by the parents from Rev. W. Smith, Chaplain, 29th
(?) Canadian Army Tank Regiment the unit with which Pte. Frizell was serving:
Dear Mrs. Frizell: You will
have heard the sad word of the death of your son who was with
this brigade. Will you
please accept my sympathy. Even
though one has tried to be ready for sad news, when a lad goes overseas, it
still comes as a shock. Your lad
was an adventuresome young soldier. His
nerve was steady and he had any amount of grit.
Riders of motorcycles in the army are a daring lot and he was one of the
best. His death was not due to any
heedless risk on his part but to (two unreadable words) in the hospital.
A clot of blood, when the heart was slowed under anesthetic, (two
unreadable words) and the heart stopped. This
clot, the doctors say, was a carry-over from some other injury sustained long
ago. His death was a shock to
everyone. His officer, speaking to
me, was particularly distressed. He
had many friends. In the army there
is a close comradeship among the men who are generous hearted.
The capacity to make friends is a tribute to the man who has it.
The R.C.A.S.C.(?) in this brigade is a fine unit and he made his
contributions to its good record. You
may well feel proud that your son gave his best.
May God’s peace keep your hearts now and always.
W.E.L. Smith, Chaplain, 1st
Canadian Army Tank Battalion In
another letter just received from the Chaplain’s Office C.A.S.C.R.U. from
Chaplain the Rev. J.J. Bell, Church of England Chaplain who conducted the burial
of Pte. Frizell, there is advice that the interment was in the Canadian section
of Brookwood Cemetery, Lot 34, Row J, Grave 1. The chief mourners were is
brother, Signalman(?) Arthur Frizell, who is with the Canadian Army overseas,
and pallbearers were boys from the R.C.A.S.C.
The funeral was with full military honors with buglar from the same unit.
In addition to the letters the parents have received from the chaplains,
Major-General Price of the Canadian Red Cross Society has sent his condolence.
Award of the Distinguished Flying Medal to Robert White Is Followed by Commission
Mr. and Mrs. W. G. White received word
that their son Robert J. “Bob” White,
recently decorated with the Distinguished Flying Medal for gallantry in action,
has now been promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer in the R.C.A.F.
Overseas since January, 1942, and posted with the Bomber Command, he
participated in some 25(?) raids on industrial Italy, Germany, and occupied
France as navigator. On completing
his operations he became an instructor and
at present is carrying on in that capacity.
Born 25 years ago in Perth, he attended the public school and P.C.I. and
was very popular with his fellow students.
Outstanding in athletics, Bob starred on Collegiate and town rugby teams
for a number of years and made a name for himself as one of the great middle
wings turned out at the P.C.I. In
hockey he was a hard hitting defense man, playing junior hockey for four years
he was regular defense man with the Blue Wings when they reached the Memorial
Cup semi finals in 1938(?). After
graduating from the junior ranks he played with the Perth Crescents and the
Smiths Falls Mic Macs. Bob was also
an outstanding Junior base ball player, starring at third base and at the plate
where his heavy hitting was a real feature.
Although his future operations with the R.C.A.F. are necessarily
uncertain his many friends are wishing him every success and Perth is justly
proud of her first decorated flyer in this Second Great War.
Lt. Walter Harris Came Through Battle of Africa Safely
Mrs. Harris of Christy’s Lake has
received word from her son Lt. Walter Harris, Jr., that he came through the
battle in North Africa safely. Walter
is with the American infantry and has been overseas for two years where he is
celebrating his 20th birthday.
Perth
Courier, July 1, 1943
Photo Pte.
E.D. Frizell, 2nd Divisional Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.H.
Frizell, who died overseas, aged 23.
Perth
Courier, July 15, 1943
Lt. Arnott Smiley Injured In Land Mine Explosion
Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs.
P.E. Smiley of 50 Craig St. that their son, Lt. B. Arnott K. Smiley has been
seriously wounded. The official
communication, which came yesterday, reads:
“Sincerely regret to inform you that Lt. B. Arnott K. Smiley officially
reported dangerously ill as the result of a land mine explosion while on duty.
Further information following when available.”
Pilot Officer D.A. Blake Smiley has cabled his parents concerning his
brother’s condition as follows: “Don’t
worry. Not so serious as indicated.
Arnott in good hands. Bill
and I with him.”
Sgt. Earl D. Rowe Missing in Air Operations
Flt.
Sgt. Earl Rowe, 20 years old son of Mr. and Mrs.
James Rowe of 13 Drummond Street, Perth, is reported missing in air operations
overseas. He joined the R.C.A.F. in
March, 1941 and received air crew training at Toronto, Guelph and Macdonald,
Manitoba, where he received his air gunner’s badge. He went to England in February, 1942, 17 months ago.
He also served in the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment in Brockville
before joining the R.C.A.F.
Perth
Courier, July 22, 1943
Photo Sgt. John L. Dunlop
Now Presumed Dead
Youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert
Dunlop of Perth, Sgt. Dunlop is now
officially thought to have lost his life during air operations over enemy
territory several months ago. His
parents received such official word on Sunday.
Sgt. Dunlop, according to information received, is buried at the cemetery
of Villiers Le Duc, Cote D’Or,
Sur Seine, Montbard, France.
Perth
Courier, August 5, 1943
Capt. Alex Campbell Takes Heavy Toll of Nazi Troops on Enna Road in Sicily
(Photo)
Another Perth soldier has added to the
growing list of exploits of local men serving overseas.
Capt. Alex Campbell went to Tunisia in December, 1942 where he was place
second in command of a company of Coldstream Guards, one of the most famous
British regiments. He remained in Tunisia until April of this year when he
returned to England, there to await his chance of further service which came
with the inclusion of the First Canadian Division in the landing on Sicily.
The story of Captain Campbell’s exploit is told in dispatches from
Sicily which state that an eastern Ontario regiment scaled up a 2,500 foot
precipice in a pre-dawn attack, capturing the town of Assoro and driving a
strong German force from the peak on which it is located.
“Crouching inside a hairpin bend on the dusty road to Enna, a scout
signaled to an advance patrol of the Royal Canadian Regiment:
‘Two German lorries approaching’.
Captain Alex Campbell grabbed a Bren (?) Gun and yelled ‘Let’s go’
and started up the road on a run. The
buckle of his web belt jarred loose as he ran and the webbing became entangled
in his arms. Campbell threw
the webbing into a ditch without slowing his pace.
Then his swinging binoculars followed the webbing.
Finally he wrenched off his steel helmet and tossed it away too. Campbell
reached a bend 80 yards away just before the enemy trucks.
Then, steadying the spitting Bren(?) Gun on his hips, he stood in the
centre part of the road with his legs spread and kept up the fire.”
It will be remembered that Alex Campbell, a major in the Lanark and
Renfrew Scottish before the war, surrendered his majority to go active and
enlisted and went overseas with the rank of lieutenant.
Perth
Courier, August 12, 1943
Photo Driver Wilbert Greer
Word of the safe arrival overseas has
been received by his wife, Mrs. Wilbert Greer, Leslie Street.
Photo Driver George Fife, who has arrived overseas, according to word received by
his wife Mrs. George Fife, Middleville.
Perth
Courier, September 2, 1943
Lt. Jessie Blair With Hospital For Canadians
Somewhere in Sicily, for more than three
weeks, a Canadian General Hospital has been operating in the glaring heat of a
base area with 18 doctors and 55 nurses working long hours treating British and
Canadian wounded and sick coming back from the front. Lt. Nursing Sister Jessie F.(?) Blair of Fallbrook is serving
on the staff of this hospital. This
hospital is the first one to reach Sicily, landing July 19.
Since that time, it’s been a day and night task.
At the moment, with the fighting over, the work has slackened off
considerable although the hospital has been kept busy with soldiers who have
taken sick suffering from dysentery, fever, or malaria.
The doctors live under canvas but the nurses have a mess and sleeping
quarters in a building. Even under
the comparatively rough conditions everyone is in the highest spirits and the
nursing sisters are particularly cheerful despite the hard work.
Doctors include Dr. G.B. Macpherson of Guelph and Dr. C. H. A. Walters of
Belleville. Capt. C.D. Daniel of
Ingersoll is a padre. Ontario
sisters include Jessie Blair, Fallbrook; Jessie Colridge, Owen Sound; Bernice
Hampton, Gananoque; Alma Rath, London; and Dorothy Richards of Napanee.
Lt. Nursing Sister Jessie F. Blair, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
John Blair of Fallbrook was educated at Fallbrook and Perth Collegiate.
She graduated from Kingston General Hospital.
She enlisted in May, 1940 in Kingston and went overseas to England on
Christmas Day of the same year. A
photograph, showing the nursing staff, including Sister Blair, in their quarters
in Sicily, has been received from the Ottawa headquarters and is on display in
the Courier office.
Perth
Courier, September 9, 1943
Former District Boy Now Officer In U.S. Army
Camp Hood, Texas, August 19
Daniel
A. Hughes, who resides at 701 Court St., Sault
Sainte Marie, Michigan has received his commission as second lieutenant in the
U.S. Army at the Tank Destroyer Officer Candidate School, Camp Hood, Texas.
He ranked high in the class of 63 who graduated.
The officer candidate course at the Tank Destroyer School consists of 13
weeks of intensive training and includes 550 hours of instruction in weapons,
tactics, automotive vehicles radio, and military administration.
Much emphasis is placed upon practical work by the candidates themselves.
The instructors are specialists in their fields and the training includes
the latest combat methods from the battle zones.
The course demands the utmost in leadership, scholarship, and physical
stamina. To complete it
successfully, the candidate must have confidence in himself and his weapons, he
must be aggressive, skillful and able to assume the initiative.
A former member of the National Guard, Lt. Hughes enlisted in the U.S.
Army in January, 1943 and was sent directly to Camp Hood.
He is a son of the late Dugald R. Hughes and Mrs. J. H. Wade of Sault
Sainte Marie, Michigan, formerly of Balderson.
Fourth Member of Family Joins Up
Ottawa recruiting center of the R.C.A.F.
advise of the enlistment of the fourth member of the family of Mr. and Mrs.
Arthur William Shanks of Sharbot Lake, Ontario, Edward Robert Shanks, age 18, who enlisted in the R.C.A.F. at #12
Recruiting Centre, Ottawa, on September 3, 1943, for training in air crew
duties. There are two brothers also
serving in the R.C.A.F., one as a pilot, who has recently returned from
overseas. The other member of the
Shanks family serving in His Majesty’s forces is presently stationed with the
Canadian Army overseas.
John Armstrong is Wounded While Serving
Mrs. Mary Cordick, 35 Brock Street,
received a cable on September 3, stating that her grandson Supply Assistant John
Armstrong has been wounded in action. According
to a later report received from overseas he has been admitted to the Royal Naval
Hospital at Portsmouth, England, suffering from injuries to his head and chest.
It is presumed he is progressing satisfactorily.
He has been on active service for almost two years.
Jack attended public school and the P.C.I., graduating in 1940 and
entering the civil service of the Navy Department at Ottawa.
He enlisted in 1941 and received his basic training at H.M.C.S. York,
Toronto, later transferring to Halifax and thence overseas.
He left for overseas in October, 1942.
Many friends in Perth wish him a speedy recovery from his wounds.
Commission Won in R.C.A.F. by Ronald Code
Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Code have received a
cable from their son Ronald, who is overseas, stating that he has been awarded a
commission with the rank of Pilot Officer.
The granting of the commission is back dated to June of this year.
Educated at the public school and the P.C.I., he was a good student and
outstanding athlete and he achieved local fame as a Blue Wing hockey player.
Upon graduating, he entered the employ of the Andrew Jergens Co. where he
was employed until he enlisted in the R.C.A.F.
Three brothers are serving overseas with the Canadian Armed Forces, Edwin
and William with the Army and Charles in the Navy.
In a cable to his parents, Ron told of going on a nine day leave during
which he hoped to see Bill and Edwin. In
his service with the R.C.A.F., Ron has made 14 flights over enemy territory.
Perth
Courier, September 30, 1943
Photo Sapper Roscoe Garrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Garrett, Zealand, who arrived overseas on July 24. He enlisted at Peterboro on December 5, 1941.
Photo --
Mrs. T.G. Burke of Ompah, has received word that her son Trooper C.W.
Albert, C.A.C., has arrived safely overseas.
Kenneth McKee Writes of Life with the First Division
Writing to his father, Walter F. McKee,
Town Assessor, S/Cdr.K.S. McKee, who is with the First Canadian Division with
the 8th Army, tells of the journey from Britain to a then undisclosed
destination. In his letter of July
11, there is a description of the voyage and the usual description of ship-board
life, also an amusing account of the attempts of the men to master the language
of the country which they were going to invade.
There is a gap of a month in his letters, the next is written from Sicily
in August and in that period the First Canadian Division had been engaged in the
capture of Sicily. He describes the action in the vicinity of Mt. Etna as the
hardest and most severe in which our troops had been engaged.
One of the brightest times described is the period following the
completion of this part of the campaign, when the enemy had been pushed back and
the men were withdrawn for rest and refit.
He describes the life of the average Sicilian whom he says is a lazy
good-for-nothing fellow who has no desire to fight with anyone and just wants to
be left alone with his wife, his dozens of children, in the filthy hovel he
calls home, and his mule. While the
Canadians were resting they enjoyed an abundance of fruit, a great treat after
the lack of it in Britain. It was
served at every meal in Sicily and in great quantities.
Also they enjoyed the macaroni and spaghetti which was prepared for them
by a native cook. The concluding
paragraph is quoted as it is an accurate forecast of what happened.
“Where we go from here, of course, we haven’t the faintest idea.
We all anticipate a jump across the Straits of Messina but have been told
nothing as of yet. I guess they are
rather hoping Italy will surrender unconditionally but to date this has not
happened. By the time this reaches
you all of this will be history.
Perth
Courier, October 7, 1943
Photo Flight Sergeant James Kanelakos
R.C.A.F. Casualty Officer, Ottawa, has
advised Mr. Peter Kanelakos that his son Flight Sergeant James Kanelakos,
#135713, is reported missing after air operations overseas on September 28.
Before his last flight he had 214 hours of operational flying to his
credit.
Photo Pilot Officer Ronald Code
Advice has been received from R.C.A.F.
Headquarters, Ottawa, by Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Code, Brock Street, that their son,
Pilot Officer Ronald Code is reported missing after air operations.
He recently received a promotion to the rank of Pilot Officer.
Arrive Overseas With Unit of Medical Corps
Two photos from Canadian Army Photo
Service, Ottawa, show local members of hospital units that have arrived
overseas. Nursing Sister Norma
Siddons-Gray, daughter of Charles Siddons-Gray, has reached an overseas
destination with her unit and with another unit of the R.C.A.M.C. which has also
arrived overseas is L-Cpl Charles McDonald, son of R.W. McDonald, as well as a
number of district members of this unit. These
photos are now displayed in the window of the Courier office.
Joins Navy
Ordinary Seaman Kenneth Cowie, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Cowie, 15 Foster St., has
left Kingston for Deep Brook, N.S. to undergo training there at the R.C.N.
barracks.
Loss of St. Croix is Sad News for Local Family
Loss of the H.M.C.S. St. Croix with 146
of her crew of 147 men, announced from Ottawa at the week end has brought sorrow
to a Perth family. First Class
Stoker Gordon E. Warner of Leslie
St., was a member of the crew of the ill fated ship and has lost his life.
Early reports that several of the ship’s company had been rescued by
the British frigate Itchen(?)Richen(?) raised hopes that he might have been
among those saved but information that all, except for Stoker W.A. Fisher of
Black Diamond, Alberta, had lost their lives when that ship was torpedoed,
dispelled that possibility.
Vernon Cavanagh Receives Award From Admiralty
In recognition of his part in the
destruction of an Italian submarine in the Mediterranean while serving on the
Canadian Corvette Regina, Able Seaman Vernon Cavanagh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy
E. Cavanagh, 184 Gore Street east, has been mentioned in dispatches according to
a certificate received by his parents from the Honors and Awards Branch of the
Admiralty in England. The
certificate is an interesting document in gold and reads:
“By the King’s Order, Ordinary Seaman Vernon Cavanagh, R.C.N.V.R.,
H.M.C.S. Regina was published in the London Gazette on the 29th June,
1943, as mentioned in a dispatch for distinguished service.
I am charged to record His Majesty’s high appreciation, signed A.V.
Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty.”
In addition to the certificate, a medal has been presented in recognition
of the services he rendered.
Perth
Courier, October 14, 1943
Local Airman’s Name Inscribed on Memorial
A simple service was held recently to
mark the unveiling and dedication of a chapel and memorial to the pilots of the
famous Biggin Hill, Kent, England, sector who gave their lives in aerial combat,
the R.C.A.F. said recently, in an overseas release.
In a building on the battle scarred Biggin Hill airfield, oak panels
behind the altar bear the names of over 200 pilots, including many Canadians,
who took off in Spitfires and Hurricanes from Biggin and did not return.
The memorial was unveiled by Fighter Command’s top scoring ace, Group
Captain A.G. (Sailor) Malan, D.S.O. and Bar, D.F.C.
The names included names from Canada’s first overseas fighter unit,
officially known as Number 1 Canadian Fighter Squadron.
Among them is the name of Sgt.
William D. Hagyard, son of Dr. and Mrs. H. C. Hagyard, who had previously
been reported missing after air operations.
Wounded in Action
A telegram has been received by Mr. and
Mrs. Wellington Douglas advising that their son Pte. Arnold Douglas has been wounded in action overseas.
In addition to Arnold, two brothers are serving with the Canadian Army,
Pte. Hugh, twin brother, is overseas, and Pte. Leslie is with the C.A.S.C. at
Camp Borden.
Perth
Courier, October 28, 1943
Pte. A.W. Douglas Wrongly Posted as Casualty
Under date of October 25, the Director
of Records, Department of National Defence, Ottawa, has advised Mr. and Mrs.
Wellington Douglas, 63 Harvey St., that their son, Pte. Arnold Wellington Douglas had been posted as wounded in action on
October 3 in error. Official
notification had reached the parents on October 12 that their son had been
wounded. “I am directed to inform
you that official notification now received from Canadian military headquarters
overseas is to the effect that your son, Pte. Arnold Wellington Douglas, C79141,
was reported wounded in error. Any
anxiety the error in this regard occasioned is very much regretted.”
Perth
Courier, November 4, 1943
P.O. Ted O’Gorman in Fight With Enemy Raiders
London—“It shook all of us” said
20 years old Flight Sgt. Pete Dennis of Fort William, Ontario, pilot of a
“Wimpy” of Canadian bomber group in England which had a brush with a couple
of enemy fighter planes recently. The
boys sighted an enemy fighter showing a white light and while they were planning
how best to tackle it, a second fighter swooped out of the clouds astern.
It looked very much as if Jerry was out for a quick kill.
Sgt. Harvey Quesne, 22 year old air gunner Port Credit(?), Ontario,
experiencing his first encounter, let fighter number two have it at almost point
blank range. Things were shaky for
a minute as bullets ripped into the old “Wimp” but tracers were seen
crashing into the fighter and it finally crashed.
The boys then turned in seek of fighter number one but it evidently did
not want to play so pilot Dennis headed his aircraft for home.
Other in the crew included Flight Sgt. Gordon Atkins, Navigator of La
Larivoire(?), Manitoba; Pilot Officer Ted O’Gorman of 71 Drummond St., East,
Perth, and Sgt. Pete Woolfenden of Baynhem(?), England.
James Kanelakos Is Now Reported Prisoner of War
Mrs. Carl Bates has been advised that
her nephew Flight Sgt. James Kanelakos, former Perth Public School and
Collegiate student, is a prisoner of war. He
was earlier reported missing. In a
letter received by his father from a station in England where Flt. Sgt.
Kanelakos was stationed, advice is given that after leaving the aerodrome on an
operational flight, there had been no word of the machine or its crew. Enquiries
made by the authorities elicited the information, through the International Red
Cross, that James Kanelakos is a prisoner of war.
This information was conveyed officially from R.C.A.F. headquarters,
Ottawa on October 31. Earlier
advice received from headquarters was that he was missing on air operations.
Perth
Courier, November 11, 1943
P.O. Ronald Code is Now Reported Prisoner of War
RCAF Casualty Officer, Ottawa,
telegraphed Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Code this morning that according to the
International Red Cross, German information advises that their son, Pilot
Officer Ronald Morris Code is a prisoner of war.
Early in October, advice was received from RCAF headquarters that P.O.
Code was reported missing after air operations over enemy territory.
P.O. Earl Rowe Reported Buried in Germany
The Security Department for the National
Defense for Air, Ottawa, has advised that a report has been received from the
International Red Cross, Geneva, quoting official German information, stating
that Pilot Officer E.D. Rowe was buried on June 24 in the Municipal Cemetery,
Grave #228 in a special section for English prisoners at Munchen Gladbach,
Germany. Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Rowe, 13
Drummond Street West, were notified in June that their son, along with his crew
and other members of his squadron were engaged in action over enemy territory.
His aircraft failed to return and the crew were reported as missing.
In a letter to his parents, Wing Commander Fauquier, commanding the
squadron, told of the popularity of Earl in the mess and with his comrades.
He won his commission on June 20, one day before he was reported missing.
Joining the R.C.A.F. in March, 1941, he received aircraft training at
Toronto, Guelph and McDonald, Manitoba where he received his gunner’s badge
and left for overseas in February, 1942. Prior
to joining the R.C.A.F. he served for six months in the Lanark and Renfrew
Scottish in Brockville.
Perth
Courier, December 2, 1943
Survives Ordeal When Hospital Ship Torpedoed
A cable recently received by Mrs. Felix
Shaw of Montreal from her daughter, Lt. Nursing Sister Helen M. Shaw tells of her experiences and rescue from a torpedoed
hospital ship in the Mediterranean. Her
many district friends will be interested in the news of Miss Shaw’s
experiences and will be glad to know that she has come through the ordeal
safely. Lt. Shaw is a
grand-daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Taylor.
Charles Donovan Dies in Hospital in Australia
Word was received this week by Police
Chief Charles Donovan and Mrs. Donovan, 3 Clyde Street, that their son, Master
Sergeant Charles Donovan of the United States Air Force, had died in a hospital
at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. A
short time ago his parents received word that he was about to go into the
hospital but no indication of a serious condition was reported.
Meanwhile, there are no further particulars other than the brief
statement of his death from the United States Secretary of War.
Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1906(?), Charles came to Perth with his
family in 1918 and entered the public school passing into the P.C.I. from which
he graduated in 1926 winning the Third Carter Scholarship for Lanark County.
On leaving the Collegiate he went to Detroit where he was employed for a
time with a large corporation. He
then joined the U.S. Air Force and became a radio engineer.
On the entry of the United States into the war, he went to Australia with
his unit, serving there for six months. They
then transferred to New Guinea where he was last heard from.
Perth
Courier, December 30, 1943
Message Received By Parents From P.O. Ronald
Code
Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Code, Brock Street,
have received word indirectly that their son, Pilot Officer Ronald Code, who was
reported missing after air operations in October, and later as a prisoner of
war, is well and happy. The
message, which was received by a friend in Ottawa, tells that he spent nearly
four days in the sea before being rescued.
From the message it would seem the whole crew had been picked up with the
exception of the navigator, “Bunny”, who was lost.
Ronald states he had no injuries and the message concludes with the hope
that his parents will not worry. They
are now awaiting more direct news giving more particulars of his experiences and
the location of his prison camp.
Posthumous Award Of George Cross to S.F. Flier
An R.C.A.F. student navigator who
relieved his unconscious pilot at the controls and ordered his three companions
to bail out later crashed to his death with the pilot has posthumously been
awarded the George Cross, the R.C.A.F. announced Monday.
The student was L.A.C. Kenneth G.
Spooner of Smith’s Falls. The
aircraft carrying Spooner, the pilot and three other crew members was on a
routine training flight when the pilot fainted. Spooner, who never before had flown a plane, took over.
The citation covering his award—a decoration ranking second only to the
Victoria Cross—said in part that he sacrificed his life “with complete
disregard for his personal safety and in conformity with the highest traditions
of the service”
Perth
Courier, January 6, 1944
Photo Capt.
Alex Campbell, of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, who was killed in
action on Christmas Day, according to official report received by his mother,
Mrs. S. J. Campbell, 28 Gore Street West.
Capt. A. Campbell Killed in Action on Christmas Day
News of the death in action on Christmas
Day of Capt. Alex Campbell, son of Mrs. S. J. Campbell, 28 Gore Street West, was
received in town early this week and has caused widespread sorrow.
Details are lacking, but his mother has been officially notified that he
was killed in action on December 25. Mrs.
Campbell received a letter on January 4 from the Captain, dated December 17, in
which he told of being in the hospital, but being completely recovered and
anxious to rejoin his unit the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment.
By his death, the Canadian Army has lost a first class officer and Perth
one of her outstanding sons. The
sympathy of the community is extended to the mother and family.
Former Resident Lt. Col. Currie, Receives C.M.G.
Valuable service to the state, mainly in
connection with the war, brought honors and decorations to 331 Canadians in the
King’s New Year’s Honors Lists made public in Ottawa last Wednesday and
included Lt. Col. George S. Currie, Deputy Minister of National Defense at
Ottawa, formerly of Perth, who received the Companionship in the Order of St.
Michael and St. George (C.M.G.) Lt.
Col. Currie served with distinction in the first world war and is a son of the
late Rev. Dugald Currie, minister of the former Knox Presbyterian Church of
Perth, from 1893 to 1914, and Mrs. Currie.
Perth
Courier, Janaury 18, 1944
Photo John Kanelakos
John Kanelakos Receives Medal For Services
Four months ago the Norwegian government
set out to present King Haakon’s medal to Jack Kanelakos, Canadian merchant
navy gun layer from Perth, but it was not until January 3 he could be found in
port long enough to make the presentation.
Kanelakos, a tanned six footer with a snappy black beard that would do
credit to an old navy seadog, is on a Canadian merchant ship now and his stays
in port are short and infrequent. “They
had several letters out chasing me” he grinned, “but I usually left for
another port before they could find me”.
But find him they did and on January 3 the medal was presented by Harold
Juell, Norwegian consul at Halifax. The
citations were in Norwegian but the gist of is was that Kanelakos was being
rewarded for his distinguished service to Norway while he was sailing with the
Norwegian merchant marine for two years before he was transferred to a Canadian
ship. During the two years with the
Norwegian merchant marine, Kanelakos, believed the only Canadian merchant navy
gun layer in the in the Royal Navy “dems” (defensively equipped merchant
service) saw scores of ports in nearly every theater of war. His ship called in at Egypt about the time Rommel was
stamping dust on the Libya border, visited the east coast of Mozambique carrying
supplies for the Allied forces that captured Madagascar, and later brought
weapons and equipment to Oran while the invasion of North Africa was going on.
“I didn’t know just what one incident they might be giving me this
medal for” Kanelakos reflected, “since we were in several little mix-ups,
one not far off Halifax and the Nova Scotia coast.
Whatever it was, I certainly got a lot of fun from it all and loads of
good experience. I’d like to be
sailing with the Norwegians now, but I got transferred.”
Kanelakos and adventure are no stranger.
He has been treading the sea lanes for some years now and before the war
was a marine photographer of some note
Citation of Honor Received From General Arnold
Police Chief and Mrs. Donovan have
received the following citation of honor regarding the death of their son, Master
Sgt. Charles Donovan, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps, who died in Brisbane,
Australia on November 22, 1943 following an accident.
The citation is signed by General H.H. Arnold, commanding the U.S. Army
Air Force in the South Pacific and reads: “Master
Sergeant Charles Donovan Junior who gave his life in the performance of his duty
November 22, 1943, lived to bear his country’s arms.
He died to save its honor. He
was a soldier and he knew a soldier’s duty.
This sacrifice will help to keep aglow the flaming torch that lights our
lives that millions yet unborn may know the priceless joy of liberty and we who
pay him homage and revere his memory in solemn pride and rededicate ourselves to
a complete fulfillment of the task for which he so gallantly placed his life
upon the altar of man’s freedom. H.H. Arnold”
Perth
Courier, January 20, 1944
Photo F.O. Robert White
F. O. Robert White Receives Medal From The King
Fifteen members of the RCAF, most of
whom are officers, attended a recent investiture at Buckingham Palace, to
receive Distinguished Flying Medals from the King.
Among those who received this honor and talked with the King was Flying
Officer Robert “Bob” White, whose citation stated that the award was
made for exceptional coolness and courage in raids on many important enemy
targets. “Bob” has recently been promoted from Pilot Officer to
Flying Officer and has been overseas since January of 1942. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. White, 15 Basin St., Perth.
Perth
Courier, January 27, 1944
Tpr. R.G.. Burke Is Wounded in Action In Italy
Mr. and Mrs. Wellington Burke, Scotch
Line, have been officially notified that their son, Trooper R.G. Burke, 26, was wounded in action in Italy on January
15. No further details have been
received. Educated at the Scotch
Line Public School and the P.C.I. where
he was keenly interested in the Cadet Corps, Russell graduated from the
Collegiate in 1934 and proceeded to Toronto where he took a course in Diesel
engineering. He entered the Robert
Simpson Company where he remained until his enlistment in January, 1942.
On entering the army he was posted at Brockville and later to Camp Borden
going overseas in June, 1942 with the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards.
While in England he took a course for wireless operator for tanks.
Two Perth Boys Both Prisoners Meet In Germany
A letter has been received by Mr. Eric
M. Sabistan from P.O. James Kanelakos, Smith’s Falls, who was taken prisoner
by the Germans after being shot down on September 28, 1943(?).
In it he tells of meeting P.O. Ron
Code in the hospital. Dated
November 11, 1943, the letter reads: “No
doubt there are still a few around the plant who will be interested in knowing
that I am alive and can still keep smiling.
Shot down on my birthday by fighters, an experience which I shall never
forget, I was shot in both legs but have sure received good medical attention
and expect to leave the hospital in the near future.
Remainder of my crew were not so fortunate and were buried not far from
the scene of the combat. I was told
that another Canadian had arrived. Imagine
my surprise when I found it was Ron Code from Perth. He has left the hospital but I shall be with him on leaving.
Give credit to the Red Cross for they sure are doing a great job, one
which is appreciated by all prisoners of war.
Give my regards to all my friends and if you will let my people know you
have heard from me.”
Wounded in Italy
Mr. and Mrs. Cornell wish to announce
that their son Lance Corporal Herb
Cornell has arrived by hospital ship in England.
After being wounded in Italy, he was in the hospital four months
somewhere in North Africa.
Meet In Italy
Writing to his mother, Mrs. H.B. Gray,
Ottawa, Boner Gray of being in Italy
and stationed near his brother Kenneth, whom he has been able to visit.
He has also met Mac O’Neil and Bert
Headrick and says that meeting Perth boys is the next best thing to being in
Perth.
Perth
Courier, February 3, 1944
Photo Sgt.
Pilot Albert Slegg, previously reported missing after air operations on
December 3, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. Slegg, received official word last
night that he had been killed.
Photo Trooper
E. G.(?) Burke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wellington Burke, Scotch Line, who was
reported wounded in action in Italy on January 15. Word has now been received that he died from his wounds.
P.O. Ted O’Gorman Member of R.C.A.F. Raiding Berlin
The latest dispatch from Britain
concerning the R.C.A.F. raids on Germany tells of the participation of Pilot
Officer J.F. “Ted” O’Gorman, son of Mr. and Mrs. T.L. O’Gorman,
Drummond Street East. The Thunderbird, Goose, and Leaside squadrons of the R.C.A.F.
Bomber Group were included in the Canadian force which joined the R.A.F. in
dropping a fresh deluge of bombs on Berlin on Thursday night, Jan. 27.
The Canadians, flying Lancaster bombers, met fighters and encountered
rockets, flares and all the varied defenses the Germans have used in recent
Berlin raids but the targets were hard hit, the returning crews said.
Some crews, previous visitors to Berlin, said the raid was one of the
easiest. Canadians accounted for at
least one enemy fighter.
Perth
Courier, Feb. 10, 1944
Arnold Douglas Is Wounded In Action In Italy
Official notification was received on
Wednesday of this week by Mr. and Mrs. Wellington Douglas, 63 Harvey Street,
that their son, Acting Lance Corporal
Arnold Douglas, had been wounded in action in Italy on January 30 and was
now in the hospital. Enlisting with
the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish, in April, 1942, he trained at Ottawa and
Sussex, arriving in England on October 9, 1943.
He transferred to the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment and was serving
with them when wounded. A twin
brother Hugh is also serving overseas and another brother, Leslie, is with the
R.C.A.F. in Canada.
Photo Pte.
E. J. McDonnell, of the R.C.O.C.(?), son of Mr. and Mrs. John McDonnell,
Zealand, who has spent three birthdays overseas.
Perth
Courier, February 17, 1944
Photo Pte. Kenneth Walker
Miss Nora Walker of Lanark received word
on Monday from the Department of National Defense that her brother Pte.
Kenneth Walker had been wounded in action in Italy.
The telegram did not give any details but stated that he had been
admitted to the hospital. Pte.
Walker, son of the late Mrs. Edith Walker enlisted early in the war and went
overseas in May of last year.
Pte. Dan Crain Home From Kiska Tells of Island
Pte.
Dan Crain, son of Mr. W. J. Crain of Donnelley’s
Corners, who spent his furlough at home recently had the following interesting
details to relate to his friends. Five
and a half months of his time was spent on the barren Kiska Island.
His regiment, the 1st Canadian Fusiliers landed on Kiska
Island four days after the Japanese had beaten a hasty departure.
They left considerable supplies, including blankets, tea, and provisions
which were welcomed by our troops who had inadequate shelter until camp could be
erected. Much amusement was aroused
by the presence of a dog left behind by the Japanese troops.
He did not understand English and made friends with only one man.
The boys named the dog Kiska. Although
little vegetation existed on the island, wild animals were plentiful, especially
foxes which became very tame. The
climate was damp and foggy but few developed colds.
Perth
Courier, March 2, 1944
Arnold Douglas Advises Parents of His Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Wellington Douglas have
received a letter from their son Acting
Lance Corp. Arnold Wellington Douglas who was reported wounded in action in
Italy on January 30. Writing from a
hospital in Italy on Feb. 9, he described his injuries as concussion from shell
burst and stated he had recovered and by the time his letter reached Canada he
would be out of the hospital and in a convalescent camp.
This is the first direct word received by the parents since the
notification and special mention is given to the attention and care being given
our wounded, also the excellence of the food.
Perth
Courier, March 9, 1944
Robert Millikin Presumed Dead As From Nov. 4
Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Millikin, Trenton,
have received official notification that their son Robert C. Millikin, previously reported missing, had for official
purposes been presumed dead on November 4, 1943. Formerly a student of Perth Public School and Institute where
he was a prominent athlete, Robert was widely known. He was a popular member of the Perth Hotel lunch counter
until his enlistment. Mr. R. H.
Millikin was roadmaster for this district for the C.P.R. prior to his transfer
to Trenton.
Missionaries Are Interned By Japs In Phillippines
Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Smith received notice
this week from headquarters, Army Service Forces, Washington, D.C. that their
daughter Mrs. Muriel Smith Livesay and
her husband Rev. J.B. Livesay have been officially reported by the Japanese
government as interned in Tagbilaran Camp, Bohol, Phillippine Islands.
Mr. and Mrs. Livesay are missionaries of the American Presbyterian Church
and have not been heard from for the past two years.
They visited Perth on furlough three years ago when they spent the summer
at Ottay Lake with Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
LAC
Kenneth P. Easton spent last week with his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Easton, Drummond St. E., before leaving for the
east coast where he has been posted for further duties.
The staff and student body of the Perth
Collegiate Institute were very pleased to receive this week from Dr. and Mrs.
H.C. Hagyard an excellent framed portrait of their son the late P.O.
William Hagyard, a graduate of the P.C.I. who was killed in action over
enemy territory in Feb., 1942. The
picture will be placed in the main corridor of
the school.
Perth
Courier, March 23, 1944
Major K. Campbell Wounded in Action Overseas
Word has been received that Acting
Major Kenneth Campbell has been wounded in action.
He is a son of Mrs. Campbell and the late C.A. Campbell.
He attended the P.C.I. and upon graduation entered the bond business
being thus employed until his enlistment in the 48th Toronto Scottish
in September, 1939. Going overseas
with the Toronto unit he transferred to a reconnaissance unit with which he
proceeded to the Mediterranean sector. He
was with this unit in Italy when last heard from.
Lorne Patterson Reported Killed in Air Action
Word was received on Wednesday evening
of the death in action of Flying Officer
Lorne Patterson, formerly of the Perth Shoe Company, where he had been
employed 12 years. No details were
given in the communication. Enlisting
in the R.C.A.F. in December, 1940, he graduated and was commissioned in
November, 1941, leaving for overseas in December of that year.
Further training followed in Great Britain and he was posted to Africa
and then to India. It is believed
he was serving in this sector when he was killed.
His wife, the former Nurse Barber was on the staff of the G.W.M.
Hospital, Perth, and young son survive.
“Scotty” Kennedy Again Overseas Sees Local Boys
Writing from an overseas base. Corp.
A.F. “Scotty” Kennedy told of his recent arrival after a training period
in Canada. The journey overseas was rough and they were glad to reach
their destination. He told of
meeting some of the local boys, J.C.
Murphy, “Moose” Dickson, Bob Wilson, and Murray Quattrocchi and reports
they are all doing well. He
recently met a man returned from Italy who had been with Major
Alex Campbell when he was killed. The
Major was out in front of his company when he was killed by machine gun bullets.
Perth
Courier, March 30, 1944
Pte. Lloyd Allan R.R.2, Maberly, Killed in Action
Mr. Lloyd Allan, R.R.2, Maberly, has
been notified of the death in action in Italy on March 11 of his son, Pte. K.D.
Allan, C21171, Infantry General Service, No. 5, C.I.R.U., Canadian Army
Overseas. Pte. Allan went overseas
on December 4, 1943. Born at
Maberly 19 years ago he attended district schools and after leaving worked on
farms and the railroad before enlisting in the Army.
The notification contained no details of the action in which Pte. Allan
was killed.
Chas. McKinnon Receives Wings and Commission
A member of a large class of R.C.A.F.
personnel who received their sergeant’s pilots wings at a graduation ceremony
at Uplands on Friday afternoon, March 24, J.C.
McKinnon, son of Mr. and Mrs.
J.C. McKinnon, 41 Wilson Street, was Perth’s representative.
Later in the afternoon he was one of a number of Uplands graduates who
were commissioned and received the rank of Pilot Officer.
Born at Dalhousie Lake on July 4, 1923, Charlie attended Bathurst Line
Public School and Lanark Continuation, coming to Perth Collegiate where he
remained a student until January, 1940. He
then worked on tobacco farms at Delhi and then worked at the (unreadable word,
starts with “Al”) Plant at Kingston, returning to Perth where he was a
driver for the Taggert Service until his enlistment.
He joined the R.C.A.F. in October, 1942 and trained at Lachine, Que.,
Montreal ITS, Toronto, Pendleton and Uplands.
Corporal Noonan Is Mentioned For Gallantry
According to an announcement on Friday,
March 24, released by the Department of National Defense, Corp. E. Noonan, son
of Mr. George Noonan, Victoria Street, has been mentioned for gallant and
distinguished services in Sicily and Italy.
No further details have been received by his father.
Born in June, 1911, he enlisted on June 28, 1940 and is serving with the
Canadian Armored Corps. He went overseas on September 23, 1942. Before enlisting he graduated from Pembroke Collegiate
Institute. His brother, George
C. Noonan, Jr., of the Royal Canadian Engineers, who went overseas in 1939
was killed in England in September, 1940. Another
brother, Sgt. Donald C. Noonan,
enlisted in 1939 and has been overseas since 1940.
Perth
Courier, April 6, 1944
F.O. John M. Hogg Memorial Unveiled At The Collegiate Impressive Ceremony
On Friday evening, March 31, an
impressive ceremony and program was held in the Perth Collegiate.
The first part of the program was held in the main corridor of the school
where a plaque on which will be inscribed from year to year the names of winner
of the J.M. Hogg award was unveiled. The
plaque was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hogg in memory of their eldest son F.O.
John McLeod Hogg, who gave his life in active service with the Royal Air Force
in Tunisia in April, 1943. (the
balance of the article is not transcribed here—it deals with the ceremony.)
Photo F.O.
Lorne Patterson, killed on March 15 during air operations 85 miles north
east of Lashio(?) on the Salween River, Burma, near the border with China.
Photo F.O.
Robert White, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. White, 15 Basin Street, who has been
posted as missing after air operations. Bob
had recently been promoted to Flying Officer and had been decorated with the
D.F.M. by His Majesty The King.
Photos: Five Sons of Mrs. Edith Lee and the late William Lee of Perth, Serving in the Armed Forces:
Ste.(?)
I/C W. J. Lee, R.C.N.V.R.
P.O.G.J.
Lee, R.C.N.V.R.
AC3(?)
or ACR(?) A.J. Lee, R.C.A.F.
Flt.
Sgt. J.P. Lee, R.C.A.F.
Pte.
R.M. Lee, C.I.T.C.
Perth
Courier, April 18, 1944
Former Perth Boy Missing After Air Operations
P.O.
Walter Robert Ferrier, only son of Mrs. Ferrier,
Queen Mary Road, Montreal, and the late Harry(?) Henry(?) K. Ferrier, formerly
of Perth, has been reported missing after air operations overseas.
Had he returned from the raid he would have completed two tours of
operations which included sorties over Germany, France and the Low Countries.
Word has been received only recently of his promotion to commissioned(?)
rank. Educated at Westmount(?) High
School and Sir George Williams College, he joined the R.C.A.F. in October (year
unreadable) and qualified for his pilot’s wings at S.F.T.S.(?), Moncton, N.B.
in July, 1941. He went overseas
that month.
Photo Kenneth
Allan, son of Mr. Lloyd Allan, R.R. 2, Maberly, who was killed in action in
Italy on March 11. Pte. Allan went
overseas on December 4, 1943.
Photo Gunner
Edwin Burns Gordon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Burns Gordon, Maberly, who has been
awarded the Canadian Voluntary Service Medal.
He is serving in Italy and will complete two years overseas on May 17.
Perth
Courier, April 20, 1944
L. Cpl. Kilfoyle, Innisville, Is In Hospital
A telegram has been received by Mr. and
Mrs. W. P. Kilfoyle of Innisville from War Records, Ottawa, advising that their
son Lance Corp. Ivan Gerald Kilfoyle,
was slightly injured on Good Friday on active service.
No details were given further than that he was in the hospital.
Perth
Courier, April 27, 1944
Photo
Perth Girl Wren
Louise
Knox daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Knox, who is
stationed on H.M.C.S. Stachacona(?) at Halifax, is shown on the right receiving
instructions as a salesman of Sixth Victory Loan Bonds.
Two Perth Boys in German Prison Send Greetings
In his letter dated January 8, 1944 from
his prison camp in Germany to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Code, Pte.
Ron Code, sent his appreciation and thanks to the Perth branch, Red Cross,
for the comforts they provide prisoners of war.
P.O. James Kanelakos, also a prisoner in the same camp, added a note
saying how fortunate they were to be together and able to remind each other of
happenings at home. He was then out
of the hospital and they had a very cheery Christmas together. Both
sent their regards to their friends in and around the district.
Gnr. C.E. Benedict, Mississippi, Is Killed In Action
Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Benedict, Mississippi,
have received official word that their son, Gunner Charles Edward Benedict, R.C.H.A., was killed in action on
April 13. The young soldier
enlisted in September 1939 and went overseas in July, 1940 and married in
England on Feb. 12, 1941 and more recently had been stationed in Italy.
Besides his English bride, he is survived by two daughters, Sheila and
Maureen; his parents at Mississippi; one brother, Gunner H.J. Benedict at
Petawawa and one sister Mrs. H.C. McDonnell at Kingston.
Perth
Courier, May 11, 1944
Lloyd Cameron Reported Killed By German Red X
Flt.
Lt. Lloyd Cameron was reported missing after air
operations overseas on Leipzig, Germany, Feb. 20, according to word received by
his parents Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cameron, Wemyss, and his wife the former Marion
MacDowell, who with her young son, Douglas, resides at Pakenham, is now reported
to be believed killed. Further word
was received through the International Red Cross that he was “believed
killed” according to German information.
Lloyd Cameron attended Perth Collegiate and was afterwards employed at
the Royal Bank at Perth, Pakenham, Matthew Street Branch, Montreal.
He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in June, 1940, training at Regina, Sask. St.
Catharines, and Brantford, Ont., where he graduated as a pilot and won his
commission. He instructed student
pilots at Saskatoon, Sask., and student instructors at Vulcan, Alberta.
In March, 1943 he took operational training at Pennfield, N.B. for three
months and after his furlough he continued overseas.
Flt. Lt. Cameron was a member of the 434 Squadron, making several bombing
raids on Germany. Four Canadians of
his crew are now reported prisoners of war.
Perth
Courier, May 25, 1944
J. Arthur Walker Placed Third In His Class
At the graduation ceremony at the
R.C.A.F. training center Ancienne Lorette, Quebec, on Thursday, May 18, LAC
James Arthur Walker, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Walker of Lanark,
former Matron of the Great War Memorial Hospital, Perth, received his
navigator’s wings and commission, gaining third place in his class.
He was a student at Collegiate Institute and upon graduation became
apprenticed in pharmacy to T.A. Thornbury until enlistment in November, 1942.
During his school days at Collegiate, Arthur was an outstanding athlete,
specializing in baseball and hockey. After
leaving school, he continued to excel in these sports and played on local teams.
Another member of the family, Kenneth, is serving overseas.
He was recently wounded in Italy. Attending
the ceremony at Ancienne Lorette was his twin sister, Miss Nora Walker, Lanark
and Miss Dorothy Douglas, Perth.
Photo Capt. Donald C. Smith, Wounded in Italy
Former Lanark County magistrate who has
been injured in action with the Canadians in Italy.
Photo W.G.S.(?), R.G.J. Monaghan, R.C.A.F., Smith’s Falls, who has been reported
missing overseas, as a result of air operations on May 4.
His mother is the former Annie Hale of Perth.
Photo Lt.
Maurice Joynt, son Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Joynt, Rideau Ferry, who is serving
overseas with the 4th Imperial Army. Lt. Joynt is a former member of the Perth Collegiate
Institute.
Photo F.O.
James J. Muldoon, R.C.A.F., son of the late John and Mrs. Muldoon, the
former Jennie E. Connally, Perth, who has gained his commission after graduating
as Sgt. Pilot at Camp Borden.
Photo F.O.
James Geddes, R.C.A.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. John Geddes, Snow Road, former
Perth Collegiate Institute student, who is home on leave after completing his
first tour of air operations over Germany.
He returns to duty shortly.
Perth
Courier, June 1, 1944
L-Cpl. H. Cornell, Home From Italy With Knee Wound
Lance
Corporal Herbert Cornell, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Alonzo Cornell, has returned home with a wound in the knee which he received in
action in October, 1943. He enlisted August 1, 1940 in the Forestry Corps and
proceeded over seas with that unit, later transferring to the Provost Corps.
He served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
He was wounded at Compobasso. Returning
to England in December of 1944 he was on provost duty until returning to Canada.
Lance Corporal Cornell is married and his wife and two children, a boy
and a girl, live in Almonte. While
serving in England, he met Arnold
Douglas, Eric Nixon, Ken McKee, Freddie Buker, Ivan Penfold, William Osborne,
Ken Gray, Alex Campbell and Hugh O’Donnell.
Sgt. L. Chatham Receives Wound in Italy, May 21
Word has been received by Mrs. Eva
Chatham, Smith’s Falls, that her husband, Sgt.
J. Leifford Chatham, had been wounded in action in Italy on May 21.
Sgt. Chatham, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Chatham of Gore Street, Perth, was
a student of the Perth Collegiate Institute, and before enlistment was in the
Lanark and Renfrew Scottish. A
brother, Aubrey, is a sick bay attendant in the R.C.N.V.R. serving at St.
Hyacinthe, Quebec. He enlisted in September, 1940 and was stationed at
Brockville where he was on instructional duty.
He transferred to the Irish Regiment of Canada and left for Dartmouth,
N.S. and for overseas in March, 1943. He
served in North Africa and arrived in Italy on January 1, 1944
Perth
Courier, June 8, 1944
Pte. J.R. Wilson is Wounded
Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs.
Graham Wilson, R.R. 7, Perth, that their son Pte. John R. Wilson had been wounded in action in Italy on May
28(?). He enlisted in Calgary with
the Calgary Highlanders on Jan. 9, 1943, leaving for overseas in August of the
same year. He transferred from the
Highlanders to another regiment, arriving in Italy in December of last year.
No further particulars are forthcoming regarding his injuries.
Alfred H. Keays Receives Slight Wound in Action
Defense Headquarters, Ottawa have
notified Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Keays, 7 Queen Street, that their son Lance Corp. Alfred H. Keays, 30, was slightly wounded in action on
June 1. Educated at the Public
School and Perth Collegiate, he joined the staff of the Expositor upon
completing his education, remaining there until that journal was incorporated
into the Courier, in Jan., 1936. He
took up stationary engineering and qualified in western Ontario, returning to
Perth as night engineer at the Henry K. Wampole Company which position he filled
until enlistment in April, 1941. Basic
training was undergone at Ottawa and Camp Borden, then he was posted to Dundern,
Sask., from which centre he went overseas in April, 1942.
He served in Sicily and Italy where he received his wound.
A younger brother, Stanley Kenneth
Keays is serving overseas.
Pte. Arnold Liddle Dies in Chorley park Hospital
Stricken while spending a weekend leave
at home, 52 Seventh Street, at New Toronto, Pte.
Arnold Frederick Liddle, 18, died Friday evening, June 2 at Chorley Park
Military Hospital. He was admitted
on Sunday. Pte. Liddle was born in
Long Branch, where he attended school. Enlisting
in the army in November of 1943, he trained at New Glasgow, Halifax, Windsor,
N.S. and Camp Borden. He was a
member of the New Toronto United Church. Surviving
are his parents Mr. and Mrs. Fred Liddle of Perth, New Toronto, and four
sisters, Mrs. Irene Stewart, Ruby, Marion, and Audrel(?).
Pte. Liddle is a nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jamieson and Mrs. Hugh R.
Gamble.
Perth
Courier, June 29, 1944
PTE Ken Walker, Lanark, Home From Overseas
On Monday of this week friends had the
pleasure of welcoming home Pte. Kenneth Walker, who was severely wounded in the
Battle of Ortona in Italy. Ken was
invalided home with shrapnel wounds in his left hand, the left arm and the right
side. Following a thirty day leave
he will have to spend several months in hospital, receiving treatment to his arm
and hand. Pte. Walker enlisted early in the war and spent several months at
Brockville. He went overseas in May
of 1943 and to the Italian front in October of last year.
He was wounded in February and since that time has been in hospitals in
Italy and England. He arrived in Canada on June 22.
Bdr. Mervyn Hawe Home on Leave with Blitz Wound
Bdr. Mervyn Hawe has returned from
overseas. He arrived in Perth on
Sunday, June 25, having arrived in Canada on June 22. He is a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hawe of Perth and
enlisted in December of 1939 at Kingston, proceeding immediately overseas, where
he received his training in England. He
saw service at Dieppe and received a shrapnel wound in his right arm in the
blitz in England. He is spending
thirty days leave in Perth and will report to Ottawa at its conclusion.
Perth
Courier, July 6, 1944
Lt. Siddons-Grey, Victim of Blitz, Now in Hospital
The Director of Records, Department of
Defense in Ottawa has advised Mr. Charles C. H. Gray that his daughter, Lt.
Nursing Sister Norma Siddons-Grey, R.C.A.M.C., has been officially reported
injured in an enemy air raid on a date not stated.
The advice lists her injuries as fractured left scapula, lacerations to
scalp, right leg and back. She is
an inmate of No.11 Canadian General Hospital, Overseas.
Lt. N.S. Siddons-Grey was born in Perth and received her education at the
Public School and Collegiate. Upon
graduation she trained as a nurse at Montreal General Hospital, spending eleven
years there and at Montreal Western Hospital specializing in surgical nursing.
She enlisted in the R.C.A.M.C. in May of 1943(?) going overseas in
September, 1943.
Perth
Courier June 22, 1944
Norman Baker Receives Wound in Action
Word has been received by Mrs. Margery
Baker of 11 Wilson Street that her son Corporal
Norman Baker has been seriously wounded while on active duty with Canadian
forces in Italy. He enlisted in
Perth on April 16, 1942, receiving his training in Perth, Ottawa, Sussex and
Dartmouth. Cpl. Baker was slightly
wounded on October 28, 1943 but returned to active duty in December, serving
with the C.B.R.D. The nature of his
wounds has not yet been disclosed.
Wounded
Defense Headquarters, Ottawa have
notified Mrs. Mary Bennett, 43 Foster Street, formerly of Westport, that her son
Gunner Peter J. Bennett, 21, had been
wounded in action. Gunner Bennett
enlisted in the Ordnance Corps in Toronto in April of 1942. Basic training was undergone at Toronto and Guelph.
He was then transferred to the Royal Canadian Artillery and took a
mechanic’s course at Woodstock. He
proceeded overseas from Petawawa in June, 1943.
The extent of his injuries or date he was wounded is not yet known.
Perth
Courier, July 13, 1944
Award for Bravery
Word has been received by Mrs.
Mary Johnson, Mary Street, concerning the bravery of her nephew, Pte.
Leslie Jenkins, of Smethwick, England, who has won the military medal
following a mountain action in Italy. He
was responsible for killing many Germans by the skillful and bold handling of a
machine gun. Though his hand had
been burned by a phosphorous bomb, he showed great bravery and was one of the
first to go on a counter attack.
Perth
Courier, July 27, 1944
Men From This District Listed Killed,
Wounded and Missing In Action
Pte. Alex Beggs
Pte.
Alex Beggs, popular Port Elmsley boy, has been
killed in action while fighting with the Canadian forces in Normandy.
Mildred Best was informed of this in a message received recently.
No details were given beyond the fact that the 35 year old soldier,
serving with the famed S.D. and G. Highlanders had lost his life on July 8. Born in Glasgow, Scotland 35 years ago, he worked for eleven
years for Mr. and Mrs. Milton Best, who were very devoted to him and regarded
him as a son. He was much loved by
all who knew him. He enlisted in
October, 1940 and went overseas the following summer.
Surviving are two brothers in Scotland.
Pte. Harold Baker
Pte.
Harold Baker, son of Mr. Charles Baker, Portland,
and the late Mrs. Baker, and brother of Mrs. William Magill of Smith’s Falls
was killed in action in France on June 19 while serving with the Stormont,
Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders.
MISSING
Sgt. Keith Lyle
Sgt.
Keith Lyle, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Lyle, who has
been listed as missing overseas as a result of air operations on June 29.
Keith is a nephew of Mrs. J.A. Howie.
Sgt. Lyle enlisted in the RCAF in August of 1942 and trained at Aylmer,
Guelph and Mountain View, where he graduated and won his wings in September of
1943. He went overseas shortly
afterwards and has been on active air service there for nine months.
F.O. Roy Warren
Word has reached Yorkton, Sask., that F.O.
Roy Warren, son of Mrs. Warren and the late H. Warren and nephew of Mrs.
Fanny Burke at R.R. 4, Perth, is missing following air operations overseas.
He was born in Yorkton in 1916 and was educated at Simpson Public School
and Yorkton Collegiate Institute.
F.O. George White
Mr. and Mrs. John White of Perth
received word that their son Flying
Officer George White is reported missing overseas following operations on
the night of July 7. He joined the
RCAF October 8, 1941, receiving his training at Mountain View and Guelph, where
he graduated as a Wireless Air Gunner. He
received the commission on December 20, 1942 and was then posted to an RAF
station at Greenwood, Nova Scotia. He
went overseas early in July of 1943. He
was promoted to Flying Officer in December and was a wireless operator on a
heavy air craft engaged in night flying. His
sister Margaret, Mrs. John Whetter, resides in Markham and Elsie is at home in
Perth at present. F.O. White was
born in Bathurst and received his education there, coming to Collegiate later.
He returned home from where he was engaged until enlisting.
WOUNDED
Sgt. W. A. Arthur
Mrs. W. J. Arthur has received official
notice that her husband, Sgt. W.J. Arthur,
has been wounded in France on July 8. (Note, it says W.A. Arthur in the headline, and in the text,
W. J. Arthur) No extent of the
nature of the wounds has been received. Enlisting
on the day after war was declared, Sgt. Arthur has been overseas for a year.
He received his education at Hamilton and London.
Pte. G. Blair
Official notification has been received
from Ottawa that Pte. Gilbert Blair
was suffering from shell shock while serving in France in the early days of the
invasion. Pte. Blair is the son of
the late Mr. and Mrs. John H. Blair of Maberly.
He enlisted in the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish and transferred to the
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders when the former unit was disbanded.
He has been serving with the Provost Corps.
Pte. Blair was well known in this and surrounding districts.
L. Cpl H.B. Clyne
National Defense Headquarters have
notified Mrs. James H. Clyne, R.R. 7, Perth, that her son, Acting Lance Corporal Harold Bernard Clyne was reported wounded in
action on July 18. The report adds
that he is receiving treatment in hospital.
He is serving with the Queen’s Own Rifle Regiment and has been overseas
for nearly three years.
Enlists in Navy
Vernon
Pownall, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Pownall, has
enlisted in the R.C.N.V.(?)R.(?) Prior
to enlistment he was employed as a machinist in the Research Department, Ottawa,
and earlier was with James Brothers Machine Shop for ten years.
Vernon is the fourth son to enlist.
Three other brothers are serving their country; Gordon is in the Army in
Italy, Arthur is in the Air Force in Alberta and Reginald is in the Army at
Newmarket.
Perth
Courier, August 3, 1944
Family Receives Memorial Scroll from President
Police Chief Charles Donovan has
received a scroll from Washington concerning the death on active service of his
son Master Sgt.Charles Donovan,
U.S.A.F.who died in a hospital in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Nov. 22,
1943. The scroll reads: “In grateful memory of Master Sgt. Charles Donovan who died
in the service of his country in the southwest Pacific area, Nov. 22, 1943.
He stands in the unbroken line of Patriots who have dared to die that
Freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings.
Freedom lives and through it he lives—in a way that humbles the
undertaking of most men.” Franklin
D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America
Pte. G. Rutherford in Hospital with Slight Wound
Notification from Defense Headquarters,
Ottawa, that their son Pte. Gordon
Rutherford, 25, had been slightly wounded in action in France has been
received by Mr. and Mrs. John Rutherford, Grant St. He enlisted in the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish in April,
1942, transferring to the Stormong, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders with which
regiment he went overseas in the same year.
Two brothers are on active service, Pte. James Rutherford is overseas
with the Canadian Army and O.S. Charles Rutherford is a member of the Royal
Canadian Reserve.
Former Balderson Boy Overseas with U.S. Navy
Lt.
Dan H. Hughes, son of Mrs. Joseph H. Wade, now of
Ste. Saint Marie, Michigan and formerly of Balderson, and the late D.R. Hughes
of Balderson, who is in the American Army in France, has had many interesting
experiences since D-Day when he led the first platoon of his company ashore on
the coast of France. He was born at
Balderson and went to the U.S. with his mother when three years of age.
He attended Soo schools graduating from high school and later attended
Clay College in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He
was assistant inspector on the Soo locks until 1940 when he joined the National
Guard and served for one year at Camp Livingston in Louisiana.
He joined the armed forces in 1943 and attended an officers’ school at
Camp Hood, Texas, graduating in August as a lieutenant and left for overseas.
Two brothers are also serving in U.S. forces, Sgt. Clarence Wade is in New
Guinea with the 32nd Division Band and Robert Wade is at the Great
Lakes Naval Training School at Great Lakes, Ill.
(note by transcriber, the headline said U.S. Navy, the body of the
article referred to the army.)
Gunner E. Foster Dies in Hospital from Wounds
Mr. and Mrs. William Foster, town,
formerly of Lanark, have been advised by Defense Headquarters, Ottawa that their
son Gunner Emerson Foster, 21, had
died in a hospital in Italy on July 15(?) following wounds received in action on
July 9. He enlisted at Weyburn,
Sask in the fall of 1940 and has been overseas for three years as a motorcyclist
in the Armoured Corps.
Corp. Roy A. Smith
The director of records, Ottawa, has
advised Mrs. Sadie A. Smith, 124 Gore St. East, that her son Corp.
Roy Arthur Smith, previously reported slightly wounded in action, is now
reported to have a shell fragment wound in the left buttock and left hip.
Gunner Les. Sergeant Wins 1943-44 Star for Service
Military Headquarters, Kingston, advise
that Gunner Leslie Sergeant, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sergeant, North Street, serving as a machine gunner in a
Kingston artillery battery, has been awarded the 1939-43 star for service in
Italy and Sicily. He enlisted in
Kingston immediately following the declaration of war in 1939, arriving overseas
with the First Contingent on December 18 of that year.
Educated in Frontenac County he later attended Perth Collegiate Institute
for three years and at the close of his schooling worked on district farms until
his enlistment.
Pte. John Fleming Suffers Serious Wound in Action
Mr. and Mrs. Ewen Fleming, Maberly,
received word on July 26 that their son Pte.
John Fleming had been seriously wounded in action in France and had suffered
amputation of the left leg below the knee. A further advice on July 31 stated
that he was dangerously ill. Pte.
Fleming enlisted in February, 1943 and reached England on May 7 of this year.
He went into action in France on June 7 with the Stormont, Dundas and
Glengarry Highlanders.
Perth
Courier, August 10, 1944
Awarded Medal
Sgt.
W. A. Roberts, veteran of the Great War and lately
serving in the infantry as instructor in M.D. No.3, a former member of the
Lanark and Renfrew Scottish has been awarded the Efficiency Medal for service in
Canada. His family live on Drummond
St. East.
Wounded in France
On Aug. 2, Mrs. And Mrs. Nelson Kimberly
of Sharbot Lake received word that their son Spr.
Ronald William Kimberly had been wounded in action in France on July 25.
He was born in Perth. His
father was in the garage business here some years ago.
Cpl. Chester Welsh is Now Reporte Prisoner of War
Mrs. Chester Welsh, Zealand, has
received a letter from army headquarters in Italy,
advising that her husband Cpl.
Chester Welsh, who had been
missing following operations in Italy since Jan. 30, is believed to be a
prisoner of war in the hands of the Germans.
They knew he had been wounded when the Germans took a certain trench but
when they went out to bring in the casualties they saw him being carried off by
German stretcher bearers. Although
Mrs. Welsh continues to write regularly no letters have been returned, nor has
she had any word of her husband.
Tpr. J.E. Miller Sends Message By Short Wave
On June 19, Mrs. Ernest Miller of 69
Forest Hill Road, Toronto and formerly of 3rd Line Bathurst, received
official notice from Ottawa that her son Tpr.
John E. Miller, was reported missing in action in France on June 11.
He was with the Royal Armoured Corps.
On Tuesday, August 2, she received letters from ladies in Philadelphia
and New Hampshire, each telling that on the night of July 29 they picked up on
short wave from Berlin messages from prisoners of war in Germany to friends at
home. The following message came
over “B149306 P.E. Miller all well dear. Do not worry. Let Pat and Josie know.
All my love. Jack” Since
receiving the two letters Mrs. Miller has received 14 letters from widely
separated places in the U.S. and from Thorburn , N.S. advising
her of her son’s message. Tpr.
Watt is a nephew of Mrs. Mervyn Watt of Perth.
On Furlough
Flying
Officer Bob McLenaghan and his wife formerly Miss
Joy Brownlee of the Collegiate Staff is now Section Officer at RCAF, Western Air
Command and spent a few days at Bob’s home here.
Perth
Courier August 17, 1944
Photo Tpr. John E. Miller
Nephew of Mrs. Mervyn Watt, whose
message in a German prisoner of war short wave broadcast was heard by many U.S.
listeners. He was taken prisoner in
France in June.
Nursing Sister in Film
During a recent film, entitled “Canada
Carries On” shown at Perth Theater, Nursing
Sister Lt. Alice Hewitt, formerly of Perth, was shown entering a room and
handing a doctor a document. Nursing
Sister Hewitt has been in the Mediterranean theater zone since November, 1943.
J. Arthur Cavers Home On Leave After Action
Leading
Sick Berth Attendant J. Arthur Cavers son of Mr.
and Mrs. James D. Cavers, 18 Wilson St., arrived home on leave Wednesday evening
to spend a month with his parents. A
member of the crew H.M.C.S. Saskatchewan, newly arrived in Canada from overseas,
where their ship was engaged with other ships making up a flotilla, they fought
an action with four armed German trawlers off the invasion coast of France.
Three trawlers were admitted lost by the Germans after the action, our
destroyers suffering casualties and slight damage.
Photo of
F. O. Robert White, D.C.M., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. White, 15 Basin St.,
previously reported missing after air operations on March 31, now officially
presumed dead.
Reported Missing
F.O.
Harold McCosh Patterson, son of the late Mr. and
Mrs. Walter J. Patterson of Allendale and formerly of Perth, is reported
missing. He arrived overseas in
April and had been ill in the hospital in England before returning to duty.
Two brothers, Craftsman Marvin H.
Patterson, R.C.E.M.E., and Sgt. Ralph R. Patterson, RCE, are overseas.
F.O. Robert White Now Presumed to Have Died
Mr. and Mrs. W. J. White, 15 Basin
Street, have been advised by the Dept. of Defense, Ottawa, that their son, F.O.
Robert White, who was reported missing after air operations over enemy
territory on March 31, has now been presumed dead.
A crew of seven manned the bomber which did not return and they are all
presumed to have died. Shortly
before he was reported missing on March 31, Bob was decorated with the D.C.M. at
Buckingham Palace by the King.
Trp. L.H. Hogan Was Wounded in Action on Aug. 8
Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Hogan, 34 Gore
Street West, received official word from Ottawa on Wednesday that their son Tpr.
Leo Hubert Hogan was wounded in action on Aug. 8.
No details or nature of the wound are
available. Educated at the Separate
School, he enlisted on Aug. 2, 1942, training at Cornwall and Camp Borden and
arrived overseas May 19, 1943. He
was in the Armoured Regiment, 1st Hussars.
Of a family of five sons and one daughter, four sons are serving. In addition to Hubert, two are overseas Sgt. Harold Hogan and
Cpl Donald Hogal, R.C.A.F. Service Police and Sgt. Norman Hogan is stationed at
Lachine, Quebec with the R.C.A.F. firefighting service.
Perth
Courier, August 24, 1944
John R. Wilson, Home From Italy For Treatment
Included with those who returned to
Canada last week on the hospital ship Lady Nelson was John R. Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Graham Wilson of R.R. 7, Perth,
who was wounded in action in Italy on May 23, 1944. Upon landing, he was sent to the Ottawa Military Hospital
where he will receive treatment for paralysis of the right arm and leg.
Col. Playfair Receives Award of the C.B.E.
In the list of decorations recently
announced by Ottawa, Col. Playfair, together with three other high ranking
officers received the C.B.E. Col.
Cecil Homer Playfair, C.B.E., Royal Canadian Medical Corps., was born at
Playfair Jan. 1, 1900 and prior to his appointment to the R.C.A.M.C. in Sept.,
1939, was in practice as a physician in Hamilton.
On appointment, he was gazetted major and went overseas in Dec. of the
same year, being promoted to Lt. Col on April 4, 1941.
His elevation to colonelcy came in January of 1944.
A member of the N.P.A.M., he was appointed an officer of the Order of the
British Empire.
Pte. B. Kehoe Reported With Wound in Leg
Mrs. Christina Kehoe, Links O’Tay Golf
and Country Club, has received notification that Pte. Bartley Kehoe was wounded in action in France on August 9.
The details supplied by Ottawa state he received a shrapnel wound in his
right leg. He was a former employee
of the Perth Shoe Co., and before enlistment drove the Lanark stage, after the
death of his father the late Alphonsus Kehoe.
He enlisted at Toronto in Feb., 1943, going overseas in November of the
same year. Another brother, Pte.
Dennis Kehoe is stationed at Vimy Ridge Barracks, Kingston.
Memorial Service for Local Flier at Wemyss
A memorial service with full military
honors for Squadron Leader Lloyd Henry
Cameron was held in the Calvin United Church, Wemyss, on Sunday afternoon,
Aug. 20, with RCAF chaplain Flt.
Lt. Lloyd, Rockcliffe; Rev. W. R. Alp, St. Paul’s United Church, Perth, and
Mr. D. McCrae, student minister conducting the service.
Squadron Leader Cameron, 25, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cameron, Wemyss,
enlisted in Montreal in June, 1940, training at Regnina, Brantford and St.
Catharine’s, where he received his pilot’s wings. On commission, he instructed for two years in western Canada,
leaving for overseas in June of 1943. He
made several operational flights over enemy territory and was reported missing
on Feb. 20, 1944 and later reported believed killed.
Word was received from the International Red Cross on Aug. 19 that from
official German information he was
buried in Tolminglin Cemetery near Leipzig, Germany, Feb. 22, 1944..
Educated at Public School S.S. No. 4, Bathurst, and Perth Collegiate, he
entered the service of the Royal Bank, serving for five years before enlistment.
In addition to his parents, surviving members of his family are his
widow, the former Marion McDowell of Pakenham,
and 15 month old son Douglas, a brother, Harold Cameron of Ottawa
and a sister Joy Cameron at home.
Pte. C. Molyneaux Second of Family Killed in Action
Official word was received at the
weekend of the death in action in France of Pte.
Carman Molyneaux, son of Mr. John Molyneaux and the late Mrs. Molyneaux of
Watson’s Corners. He is the
second son who has given his life in the present war.
In December, 1943, Pte. Gordon Molyneaux died of wounds received in
action in Italy. Both boys were
well known in their community and throughout the county of Lanark.
Gnr. William H. Wright Wounded On Aug. 9 in France
Official word was received by Mrs. Herb
Wright, Grant Street, that her son Gnr.
William H. Wright, was wounded on active service in France on Aug. 9.
Gnr. Wright enlisted in Sept. 1941 and has been overseas for three years.
His father and one sister are serving in the RCAF.
Perth
Courier, August 31, 1944
F.O. John Hudson Killed in Action on August 21
Official word has been received by Mr.
and Mrs. Archie Hudson that their son F.O.
John Hudson, 21, was killed on active service on August 21, burial taking
place on August 26 at Regional Cemetery, Harrogate, Yorkshire, England.
Born at Perth on January 10, 1923 he attended St. John’s Separate
School and Perth Collegiate, leaving school in Feb., 1942 to enlist.
During the summer of 1941 he was the instructor at the swimming pool. Basic training was received at Toronto and he was posted to
St. Catharine’s, Trenton, St. John’s Quebec where he graduated as a
navigator on February 19, 1943, receiving his Commission and leaving for
overseas in March. Surviving
besides his parents are one brother, Leo A. (Pete), serving with the R.C.N.V.R.
and four sisters; Rita, Mrs. John Foster, whose husband is in the RCAF at
Scoudac, N.B.; Ena, Mrs. George Wilson, whose husband is overseas with the RCAMC;
Florence, Mrs. Russell Barber, whose husband is in the RCAF at Camp Borden and
Nora at home.
PTE William Code Receives Wound in Action
Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Code, Brock Street,
have been notified by Defense Headquarters, Ottawa, that their youngest son, Pte.
William Code, has been wounded in action.
Three sons in addition to William are on active service; F.O. Ronald Code
is a prisoner of war in Germany; A.B. Charles Code RCNVR is in the Navy; and Pte.
Edwin Code is overseas with an anti-aircraft battalion.
No details regarding the extent or nature of the wound are available.
Pte. Doug Jones Receives Thigh Wound in Action
Pte.
Doug Jones, son of Mrs. Della Jones of Westport,
was wounded in action in France, according to information received by his
mother. Pte. Jones has been
overseas for three years. The
message stated he had received a bullet wound in his right thigh and was
confined to the hospital. It is
thought he was wounded while serving on the Normandy front.
Cpl. L. Tetlock Is Reported Killed in Action
Mrs. Norman Tetlock received word from
the Minister of National Defense that her second youngest son, Cpl. Leslie Tetlock had been officially reported killed in action in
France on August 15. He entered the
employ of the Perth Shoe Company at 18 years of age in 1938 and served in the
fitting department as a fitter and machinist before enlisting in March, 1942.
Perth
Courier, September 7, 1944
Many Shocked By the News of the Death of Cpl. Tetlock
People of Perth and district were
shocked when they heard of the death in action of Cpl.
Tetlock on August 15. Born
in Perth on December 2, 1920, a son of Mrs. Norman Tetlock and the late Mr.
Tetlock, he attended Perth public school and was later in the employ of the
Perth Shoe Co., Ltd., until his enlistment on March 12, 1942 with the Lanark and
Renfrew Scottish. He was a member
of the O.Y.B. #221 and belonged to St. Paul’s United Church.
He was a young man of good sportsmanship and was ready to lend a helping
hand with everyone with whom he came into contact.
He received his training at Connaught Ranges, Sussex, N.B., and
Dartmouth, N.S. He was later transferred to Port Alburne, B.C. and also
trained at Vernon and Larau, B.C. and Wainwright, Alberta before going overseas
in the latter part of May, 1944. He
had been transferred to the Rocky Mountain Rangers arriving in France in the
latter part of July. Surviving
besides his mother and one sister (Gladys), Mrs. Thomas Hill of Perth, and two
brothers, Percy of Smiths Falls and Lindsay serving with the R.C.A. in Italy
Lt. M. H. Boyd Killed in Action on August 10th
Last week Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Boyd of
Lavant Station received the tragic news of the death of their son Lt. Milton Howard Boyd in action in France on August 10.
Lt. Boyd was one of six sons and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd who are in
the services. He enlisted in June
of 1942, trained at Camp Borden and Niagara-on-the-Lake and was sent to Jamaica
in December of the same year. Subsequently
he returned to Canada to take a “Signals” course at Kingston.
In July of 1943 he proceeded to Great Britain where he attended the
School of Military Intelligence. He
was serving in the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada when he paid the
supreme sacrifice. Milton was born
at Lavant Station on November 16, 1917 and attended Lanark High School, Perth
Collegiate and the College of Pharmacy at Toronto. He was married on November 7,
1943(?) to Miss Geraldine Quarrington of Toronto.
Besides his wife and parents, Lt. Boyd is survived by four brothers and
three sisters: LAC Arnold Boyd of
the BCAF at Mountain View; L/Cpl. Clifford Boyd in France; Pte. Ernest Boyd in
Italy; Merle of Midland, D.A.W.; Wilma Boyd of the BCAF (W.D.); Elsie at Perth
Collegiate; and Audrey at home.
Sgt. Wm. B. Wright Killed in Action
Official notice was received on
Wednesday that Sgt. William B. Wright,
RCAF, had been killed in action. He
was the youngest son of Mrs. Wright and the late Mr. Norman S. Wright, 256
Melrose Avenue, Toronto, and only brother of James R. Wright of Perth and Mrs.
George Armitage, Birchview Avenue, Toronto.
Born at Toronto and educated at Howard Park Public School and Parkdale
Collegiate, he entered the employ of Bauer and Black Drug Manufacturers, where
he remained until enlistment. He
went overseas on December 2, 1943.
L. Cpl V.S. White Receives Wound
The Director of Records, Ottawa, has
notified Mr. and Mrs. Owen White of 11 Basin St., that their son, Lance
Cpl Victor Stephen White (23)
had been wounded in action on August 28 and is now in the hospital.
Educated at the public school in Burgess West he was employed by the
C.P.R. at Union Station, Toronto, until enlisting in the Royal Regiment of
Canada in 1941. He trained at Niagara and Petawawa, leaving for overseas in
September of 1942. Other members of
the family on active service are: O.S.
John R. White R.C.N.V.R. and Pte. Leonard White stationed on the west coast and
Spr. Desmond White in Italy with an Engineers unit.
No indication of the nature or extent of the wound was available.
Perth
Courier, September 14, 1944
Brothers Spared, Leave England
Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Shanks of Sharbot Lake
have received a cable from their son Flt.
Sgt. Noel C. Shanks stating that he had completed his tour of “Opa” and
was on leave with his brother P.O. E. Robert Shanks in England.
He is rear gunner with the RCAF, attached to the RAF Bomber Command.
On returning from a trip the crew of Noel’s plane was inspected by the
King, Queen and princesses. He was
honored by having a short chat with the Queen and Princess Elizabeth. A brother, Sgt. Howard W. Shanks was unable to join Noel and
Bob in the reunion as he was on duty in France with a unit of the Canadian
Dental Corps.
Sgt. Keith Lyle Safe in England
Sgt.
Keith Lyle, RCAF, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Lyle,
Glen View, who was officially reported missing following air operations, over
enemy territory on June 20(?), 1944, is now safe in England.
He is a nephew of Mrs. J.A. Howie. Sgt.
Lyle enlisted in the RCAF in August, 1942 and trained at Aylmer, Guelph and
Mountain View where he graduated and won his wing in September, 1943.
He went overseas shortly afterwards and
has been on active air service there until he was reported missing.
No details have been received of the circumstances surrounding his return
to Great Britain.
Tpr. James Conlon Is Killed in Action on Italian Front
Mr. and Mrs. Errol Conlon, Church
Street, were notified by the Director of Records, Ottawa on Tuesday that their
son Tpr. James Conlon had been killed
in action. He enlisted in May, 1943
at Kingston, and trained at Cornwall and Camp Borden and later took a special
course in mechanical transport at Woodstock, afterwards returning to Camp Borden
for a short time before going to Debert, N.S. going overseas in April, 1944.
After training in England for a short time he was transferred from the 48th
Highlanders to the P.L.D.G. and to Italy. He
was born in Perth 24 years ago and graduated from the Separate School and
Collegiate Institute and after leaving school entered the employ of Tayside
Textiles where he learned weaving. Surviving
besides his parents are two sisters, Miss Alice, nurse-in-training at Hotel Dieu
Hospital, Kingston, and Miss Margaret at home.
Memorial Service at Maberly for Pte. K.D. Allan
On the afternoon of Sunday, September 10
the church of St. Alban, Maberly, was filled to capacity with the friends and
neighbors of the late Pte. Kenneth Duncan
Allan, son of Mr. Lloyd Allan and the late Mrs. Allan, who was killed in
active service in Italy in March of this year to pay their last tribute to him
at a service held in his memory. The service was conducted by T.E. Downey, B.A., student in
charge. Mrs. Oscar Marcellin was at
the organ. The hymns sung were
“Soldiers of Christ Arise” “God of our Fathers” “Fight the Good
Fight” “My Own Dear Lord” and “Holy Father in Thy Mercy Hear Our Earnest
Prayer”. A detachment of cadets
from Perth Collegiate under Cadet-Major John Walroth attended the service. After the observance of two minutes of silent prayer the
organist played the “Dead March in Saul” by Handel and then Cadet Gerald
Lessard sounded the Last Post. Mr.
Downey took as his text St. John XV, 13, “Greater Love Hath No Man That a Man
Lay Down His Life for a Friend”. He
paid tribute to all the men and women who have answered the call of duty and
urged all to realize their responsibilities in the preservation of the ideals
for which they are fighting and for which thousands have already paid the
supreme sacrifice.
Three Brothers Serving with Canadian Army
Three Vandusen boys, sons of Mr. and
Mrs. Merley Vandusen, Smith’s Falls residents, are now serving with the
Canadian forces in France and conducting something of a private family war
against the Germans. Glen Vandusen, RCAF, celebrated his second birthday overseas and his
first in France on August 27(?). He
enlisted in August of 1942 and went overseas in May of 1943.
Also serving in France are Guardman
Ormand Vandusen and Bombsman(?) Osmund(?) Vandusen, who wear the khaki of
the Canadian Army.
Perth
Courier, Sept. 21, 1944
Reported Missing After Air Crash On East Coast
Official notification has been received
by Mrs. Arthur Walker that her husband, P.O.
Arthur Walker, R.C.A.F., stationed at Maitland, was reported missing
following an aircraft accident there last week. Reports since received indicate that the aircraft, of which
P.O. Walker was the navigator, was seen to burst into flames and crash into the
sea. P.O. Walker, son of the late
Mr. and Mrs. James Walker of Perth, enlisted in November of 1942 and left Perth
in Feb., 1943 to train at Lachine, Que.; Kingston; Guelph and Ancienne Lorette,
Que., where he graduated as wireless navigator on May 18, 1944.
He was married on May 20 to Miss Dorothy Adaline Douglas, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Wellington Douglas. Since
graduation, P.O. Walker has been taking advanced training at Maitland, N.S. and
Greenwood, N.S.
Photo of P.O. Arthur Walker, who has been reported missing following a
training flight on the east coast where it is reported that the aircraft which
he was navigating burst into flames and crashed into the sea.
Photo of P.O. James A. Stewart, son of Mr. and Mrs. N.A. Stewart, 18
Sherbrooke Street, who has been promoted from Warrant Officer No. 1 while
serving with the RCAF overseas. Prior
to going overseas in November, 1943 he served as an instructor at Dafoe, Sask.
His wife and two children reside at 22 Sherbrooke St.
Perth
Courier, September 28, 1944
Photo Tpr.
James Conlon, who has been killed in action. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Errol Conlon, Church Street
Birthdays Overseas
Gunner E.A.
Day of the R.C.A. celebrated his 21st birthday on Sept. 12 and
his second overseas, having been in Italy since November, 1943.
Perth
Courier, October 5, 1944
Capt. R. Burgess on Sick Leave From Overseas
Chaplain-Capt.
R. Burgess, who has been stationed with Canadian
units in France for the past six months, has returned on leave following shell
shock after a robot bomb raid. He
reports having seen a number of Perth boys overseas amongst whom were Tpr.
Michael Cooper and Tpr. George Jackson, who was wounded some time ago, also
Capt. Morley Hardy, Lt. McKay, Smith’s Falls, of the original Lanark and
Renfrew Regiment and Major Jack Lapoint, all of whom are doing well.
Capt. Burgess hopes to be returned to active duty again at the conclusion
of his leave.
Arnold Douglas Suffers Second Wound in Action
Official word that Acting Lance Corporal Arnold Douglas had been severely wounded in
action on Sept. 24, was received by Defense Headquarters in Ottawa by Mr. and
Mrs. Wellington Douglas of Harvey Street. This
is the second time he has been wounded this year.
On January 30, he received a wound in action in Italy and was confined to
a hospital and on recovery re-joined his unit, the Hastings and Prince Edward
Unit. His twin brother, Pte. Hugh
Burton Douglas, serving with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, was
also wounded in action this year. Both
brothers enlisted in the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish in April, 1942, proceeding
overseas in October, 1942. When
their regiment was disbanded, Arnold transferred to the Hastings and Prince
Edward Regiment and Hugh to the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders.
A third brother is also serving, Leslie, in the R.C.A.F. in Canada.
Reunion In Italy of Seven Perth Boys On Service
News of an overseas reunion of men has
been sent from Italy to K.S. McKee
and tells how he became host to a group of seven Perthites made up by Ken
Gray, infantry; Doug Cameron and Bill
Bullock, ordinance; Bill Osborne,
anti-tank gunner; Alan Truelove and Alex
and William Montgomery, Signal Corps. The
account of the party, from a letter dated Sept. 19, is as follows:
“Last Saturday Perth boys seemed to spring up from all locations and we
decided to have a reunion. As Alex
Montgomery is the proud possessor of a jeep it was decided that he should
transport the whole group to my ‘casa’ that evening. Two other Perth boys in this area, Joe Bothwick and Bonar Gray were unable to attend owing to duty.
Promptly at the appointed hour an overloaded jeep deposited the Perth
contingent at the door of the battered old Italian house which we recently
requisitioned and there followed a grand two hour chat which would far surpass
the gossip of any women’s sewing circle.
Before departing for their units the group decided to contact all Perth
boys in this sector and arrange a meeting in the near future.”
Pte. E. Blackburn Sends Stirring Story of S.D.G.
Writing to his mother Mrs. Mary
Blackburn, Pte. Eldon Blackburn of
the Dundas, Stormont and Glengarry Highlanders Tank Corps has sent a collection
of European money and souvenirs. These
include a 500 Zloty Polish bill, 10 Crown Danish bill; and a 5 Franc French
bill. He tells of having met many
Perth boys since arriving overseas in Sept., 1942 and in particular mentions Stewart
Scott of the 3rd Line Bathurst and Frank
Burke of the Scotch Line among those he met recently.
As so many local boys are serving with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
Highlanders the following extract which he has sent from the “Maple Leaf” of
August 15, official newspaper of Canadian forces in France, will be of interest
locally. The article commences with
the heading “Bonny Fighters, These Men of the Glengarries” and then proceeds
as follows: “Even the pipers were
silent for the first time since D-Day during the terrible ten days that the
Glengarries were dug in, like moles, hanging on like terriers to the village
Hubert Folie(?) in the corridor south of Caen.
That was after they had been amongst the first into Caen and later had
fought down through the Colombelles and the suburb of Vaucelles(?) on the lower
side of the Orne. They have spent more than fifty days in the line since
D-Day.”
Pte. William Publow Home From France on Sick Leave
Early on Monday morning of this week, Pte.
William Publow, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Publow, 84 Drummond Street East,
arrived home on 30 days’ leave from overseas.
Pte. Publow was previously reported suffering from shell shock following
action in France. Pte. Publow is
spending his leave at home with his wife and family.
Three brothers are in the armed forces, John E. and Joseph A. in the
Royal Canadian Navy and Charles Publow in the Armored Corps at Camp Borden.
Perth
Courier, October 12, 1944
Mrs.
Lorne Gemmell received the tragic news that her
nephew Capt. John A. Watt of Ottawa
had been killed in action in France.
Perth
Courier, October 19, 1944
Photo of Frank E. Burke, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Wellington Burke, who is
serving with the Medical Corps in France. He
urges Perth folk to keep up contributions of blood
for saving the lives of the men at the front.
He writes that serum is saving many lives on the battlefield and says
that blood will give many wounded a chance of recovery.
Cpl. M. McGlade Killed in Action on October 3
Official word has been received by Mr.
and Mrs. Patrick McGlade, Beckwith Street, that their son Cpt. Michael McGlade had been killed in action on the western front
on October 3. Cpl McGlade was born
in Perth 39 years ago and educated at the Separate School and Collegiate.
For a number of years he was employed by the Perth Shoe Company and
before enlistment was employed by the Morissette Diamond Drilling Co. of
Kirkland Lake. In July, 1940 he
enlisted at Toronto in the Lincoln and Welland Regiment and later transferred to
the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. He trained at Niagara-on-the-Lake and Naniamo(?), B.C. and
spent a year in Newfoundland before going overseas in 1942. Cpl. McGlade took an active interest in sports, especially
hockey and baseball. When the St.
Lawrence League was in operation he was a member of the local executive.
Some years ago he played hockey for St. John’s and also for the Perth
Crescents. Surviving in addition to
his parents are two sisters, Mrs. Lorne Quigley, Stanleyville; and Miss Loretto
McGlade, town; three brothers, Pat (Bud) with the armed forces in France; John
in Kingston; and Joseph, Smith’s Falls.
Sgt. J.L. Chatham, Twice Wounded, Now in Hospital
The Dept. of Defense, Ottawa, has
advised Mrs. Eve Chatham that her husband, Sgt.
James L. Chatham had been wounded in action in Italy on Sept. 27.
The information states that he was seriously ill owing to a bullet wound
in the right chest. This is the second time Sgt. Chatham has been wounded, the
first being May 21, 1944. He
enlisted in 1939, acting as an instructor in the Brockville Training Center
until he joined the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish and proceeded overseas in April
of 1943. He then went to North
Africa and then to Italy where he joined the Irish Regiment of Canada. Sgt. Chatham is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Chatham of town
and is married to the former Miss Eve Taylor of Smith’s Falls.
His brother, Sick Bay Attendant Aubrey Chatham is serving in the Royal
Canadian Navy at St. Hyacinthe, Quebec.
Perth
Courier, October 26, 1944
Photo of Capt. John Arthur Watt, son of the late Lt. Col. E.J. Watt and Mrs.
Watt, Ottawa, who was killed in action in France on September 17.
Photo of Sgt. Kenwall Ferguson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Ferguson, Watson’s
Corners, who has arrived overseas for service with the R.C.A.F., according to
word received last week by his parents.
Two Perth Boys Win the D.F.C. For Gallantry
Two Perth Pilot Officers have been
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for conspicuous gallantry and high
devotion to duty while serving overseas with the RCAF.
They are P.O.W.J. Hope and P.O.
E.A. Burke. P.O. Hope was
officially reported missing after air operations during the night of
August 25-26, a short time after he had been promoted from the rank of
warrant officer and had begun his second tour of operational flights.
He joined the R.C.A.F. in November of 1941 and graduated from Mount Joli
in 1942, going overseas the following January.
Twenty years old last November, he was a student at the P.C.I. and was
attending the Ottawa Technical School prior to enlistment.
He is a son of Squadron Leader Fred K. Hope and Mrs. Hope, now residing
at 388 Riverdale Avenue, Ottawa. P.O.
Burke was a member of the Ghost Squadron of an R.C.A.F. Bomber Group and
completed a tour of operations as a mid-upper gunner. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman W. Burke of the Scotch
Line and was educated at the P.C.I. and after graduating entered the employ of
the T.Eaton Company in Toronto. He
enlisted in November of 1942 and went overseas in June 1943.
Captain J.A. Watt Died In Action on September 17
Capt.
John Arthur Watt, son of the late Lt. Col. E. J.
Watt and Mrs. Watt of Ottawa has been officially reported killed Sept. 17, 1944
while serving with the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders Regiment in
France. He went into France on
D-Day with his regiment, receiving promotion to captain there.
He was born in Perth on October 4, 1914 and received his early education
in Lanark, later attending Idagar(?)
Collegiate in Ottawa. He received
his B.A. Degree and was employed at the Department of Munitions and Supply
before enlisting in 1941. Surviving
are his wife, the former Gwendolyn Brady, residing in Ottawa and two brothers,
Capt. James S. Scott, serving with the Essex Scottish Regiment in France and
Capt. William E. Watt of the Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury Regiment, who has
recently returned from the Pacific theater of war, where he was attached to the
American forces during the Battle of Saipan and later in New Guinea; also a
sister Mrs. J. H. Molyneaux (Evelyn) of Ottawa.
Perth
Courier, October 12, 1944
Photo of F.O. Patrick Joseph McManus, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.J. McManus, who has
been officially reported missing in air operations overseas.
F.O.P. J. McManus Missing After Air Operations
Defense Headquarters, Ottawa have
notified Mr. and Mrs. J.J. McManus, Gore Street, east that their son F.O. Patrick
Joseph McManus, 24, has been reported missing following air operations
overseas. Born in Smith’s Falls on March 15, 1920, he received his
education at Perth Separate School and P.C.I.
Before enlistment in September, 1941, he was employed by the A & P
Stores and the post office. Training
was taken at Toronto, Guelph, Brantford and Charlottetown, P.E.I. and he left
for overseas on May 10, 1943. Prior
to his last flight he was flying a Halifax on Coastal Command.
His brother F.O. John A. McManus is serving in the RCAF
Perth
Courier, November 2, 1944
Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs.
E. Fournier that their youngest son Pte. Royden
Fournier arrived in Belgium some time ago and was posted to the camp and hut
in which his brother, Pte. Ken Fournier was serving. Both brothers enlisted in
1941. Another brother, Pte. Edgar
is serving in Italy.
Perth
Courier, November 9, 1944
Word has been received that Pte. Orville
(Moose) Dixon who has been serving in Belgium has been wounded.
Nature and extent of wounds not yet available.
Mrs. A. Rutherford, 120 Gore Street
east, has received word that her brother Pte. T.S.
Beadie, had been wounded in action in Holland on October 16.
Perth
Courier, November 16, 1944
F. O. Jack Pope Home On Leave After Service
Flying Officer Jack Pope, son of Mrs. Pope and the late Charles Pope who has
completed his tour of operations with the Coastal Command in Great Britain has
returned to Canada and is spending his thirty day leave at home. F.O. Pope, who
is a graduate of the P.C.I. was employed by the McColl-Frontenac(?) local depot
before enlistment in January, 1941. He
trained at Brnadon, Man., Moncton, N.B., Montreal and Mountain View and went
overseas in January, 1942.
L.A.C.N.F.. Ready Missing After Enemy Action
The RCAF casualty officer, Ottawa, has
notified Mrs. N.F. Ready, the former Miss Ruth
Parks, that her husband, L.A.C. Norman
Franklin Ready, has been reported missing in action as a result of enemy
action at sea November 7. A son of
Mrs. R.F. Ready, now of Kingston, and the late Robert Franklin Ready of Perth,
he was born in 1916(?) and attended Lanark Continuation and P.C.I. and entered
the Bank of Nova Scotia where he served in Perth for several years before going
to Montreal. He enlisted there in
the spring of 1942 and trained at Lachine, McGill and Clinton, from which
station he graduated as a radio technician and left for overseas in May, 1943.
Pte. W.C. Stewart Dies in Action In Netherlands
Following a letter from the padre of the
unit with which her husband Pte. William
Charles Stewart was serving advising of his death in action in Holland Oct.
17, his wife, presently residing in Lanark with her small son has since been
officially notified by the Department of Defense confirming the chaplain’s
message. The earlier advice stated
that burial had been made in a cemetery at Ossendrechit, Holland on Oct. 18.
A son of Mrs. Charles Stewart and the late Charles Stewart, he was born
30 years ago at Elphin. Besides his wife and son he is survived by his mother, two
sisters and two brothers. Previous
to enlisting, he was employed by the Hydro-Electric Power Commission at St.
Catharines. Pte. Stewart enlisted
in March of this year and arrived overseas the first week in September.
Photo of Capt. James Stewart Watt, of the Essex Scottish Regiment who was killed in
action in Holland on Oct. 21. His
brother, Capt. John Arthur Watt, S.D.
and G. Highlanders, was killed in action in France on September 17.
Both are sons of the late Lt. Col. E.J. Watt and Mrs. Watt of Ottawa.
Cpl. Keith McLaren Wounded in Italian Action
Mr. and Mrs. W. C. McLaren, Gore Street,
have received official word from Defense Headquarters that their son Cpl. Keith
David McLaren had been wounded in action in Italy while serving with the
Royal Canadian Army Service Corps on Oct. 13.
He enlisted in June, 1940 at the age of 16 years while a third year
student at P.C.I. and trained at Camp Borden and Sydney, N.S. leaving for
overseas on April 1, 1941. In
September, 1943 he went to N. Africa and served through the Sicilian and Italian
campaigns. Writing to his parents from the hospital on Oct. 27, Cpl.
McLaren tells of seeing Leifford Chatham and Lloyd Moore, both of Perth, in the
hospital. All three sons of the
family have served in the armed forces. Sgt.
Pilot Orville McLaren is with the
R.C.A.F. and O.S. Robert McLaren is
now discharged having served for two years with the R.C.N.V.R.
Perth
Courier, November 23, 1944
Photo F.O. Patrick Joseph McManus(?) who was reported missing in air operations
overseas in October and has now been posted as prisoner of war by the
International Red Cross.
Photo of GAR(?) R.(?) E.or B.(?) McDougall
of Maberly who spent an October leave in Belfast, Northern Ireland when he
visited many points of interest in the Belfast capital.
Perth
Courier, November 30, 1944
Town Welcomes First Two Brides From Overseas
The first English brides of overseas
servicemen from Perth have arrived from Nova Scotia. They are Mrs. Mervyn
Hawe and Mrs. Everett Meldrum both of whom reached Canada from England last
week. Mrs. Hawe, the former Miss Violett
Lawson of Wingate, County Durham, is married to Bomber Mervyn Hawe, son of
the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hawe who returned earlier from overseas service
since 1939 with the First Field Regiment of the R.C. H.(?) A.
Mrs. Meldrum, formerly Miss Gwen
Senior(?) of Reston, Middlesex, is the wife of Cpl. Everett Meldrum of No.
127 Fighter Wing, R.C.A.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. T.M. Meldrum, Fairholm Park.
They were married in January of 1843.
On hand to welcome the brides, in addition to members of their
husbands’ families, were Mrs. A.J. Siddell, of the Perth-Upon-Tay Chapter of
the I.O.D.E. and Chairman T.A. Rogers of the Perth branch of the Red Cross.
On discharge from the army Mr. Hawe plans to make his home here and Mrs.
Meldrum will remain with her husband’s parents until he returns from overseas.
Bronze Star Medal Won by B.M. James in New Guinea
Older residents who remember Barrie
P. James son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry James, who went to western
Canada, and finally located at Portland, Oregon, will be interested to learn
that their son Tech. Sgt. Barrie M. James who has been serving in the U.S. Army
since the outbreak of the war, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for
meritorious achievement in military operations against the Japanese at Humboldt
Bay, Dutch New Guinea. When located
in Perth, Mr. James was employed in the old Shaw and McKerracher store which was
the predecessor of the present Shaw store.
Many friends and relatives still live in the area.
Ronald Churchill Wins the D.F.M. and Promotion
Word has been received that Flight Sgt. Ronald
Churchill, R.C.A.F., attached R.A.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Churchill,
R.R. 4, Perth, who completed his first tour of operations a short time ago, was
awarded the D.F.M. and is now taking a course for instructors.
Prior to enlistment at Ottawa in November, 1943, he was employed by
Tayside Textiles, Ltd. He trained at Lachine, Montreal, Quebec City, and Mount
Joli where he received his wings as an air gunner in September of 1943 and left
for overseas in October of that year where he joined his Halifax Squadron.
Further information reaching this family states that since being posted
to an instructor’s course, he has been promoted to commissioned rank as a
Pilot Officer.
P.O. W.J. Hope, Killed in Action on August 26
Word has been received from the
International Red Cross by Squadron Leader and Mrs. Fred K. Hope, 388 Pinedale
Avenue, Ottawa, that their son Pilot Officer William J. Hope, D.C.F., reported missing after air operations over
enemy territory on Aug. 26, 1944, was killed in action that night.
He was a former student at the P.C.I. and Ottawa Technical School before
enlisting. He was on his second
tour of operations when he was killed. Besides
his parents he was survived by one brother, Paul of Ottawa and one sister, Mrs.
Fred Whitely of Sherbrooke, Quebec.
L.Cpl. V.S. White Receives Second Wound In Action
Defense Headquarters Ottawa have advised
Owen White, 11 Basin Street, that his son Lance Cpl. Victor Stephen White has suffered his second wound in action in
France. The wound is described as a
bullet wound in the left thigh. In
addition to his son, three others are on active service Spr. Desmond
S. White with the Royal Canadian Engineers in Italy, Pte. Leonard
J. White with the Artillery at Delbert, N.S., and O.S. John R. White R.C.N.V.R. at Cornwallis, N.S.
Perth
Courier, December 7, 1944
Photo F. O. J.C. McKinnon, who has been promoted overseas from Pilot Officer to
his present rank. He is the son of
Mr. and Mrs. J.C. McKinnon, Wilson St., and went overseas in May of this year.
Pte. W. H. Dutrizac Died in Action on Oct. 24
Word has reached her of the death in
action on October 24 of Pte. William
Henry Dutrizac, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Dutrizac, now of Orillia.
Mr. Dutrizac was formerly on the staff of the Perth Expositor and later
was manager of Class “A” Weeklies of Canada and still later with the James
A. Fisher Advertising Agency and is now identified with the Orillia Packet and
Times. Pte. Dutrizac was a member
of the Toronto City Police force and enlisted first in the Royal Canadian Navy
in 1939. In 1941 he joined the
Irish Regiment of Canada going overseas with that unit in 1942.
In England he transferred to the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders and
went to France with them in August. Born
in Renfrew in March, 1915 and educated in the primary and secondary schools
there he went to Toronto in 1936 and in 1938 married Miss Janette First.
One son was born to them, William, Jr.
In addition to them and his parents he is survived by two sisters Jean
and Shirley of Toronto and one brother,
J.Treff Dutrizac, who has been overseas with the 48th Highlanders
of Canada for over four years.
Pte. T.E. Smith Suffers Wound While Serving
Word has been received that Private Fist
Class Thomas Emmett Smith of
Syracuse, New York, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Smith of Perth, serving
overseas with the U.S. Army, has been slightly wounded in action.
Pte. Smith is a brother of Mrs. G.
L. Brown of North Street and of Kenneth
Smith of Harvey Street and was educated at the Separate School, leaving for
Syracuse when he completed his schooling. He
joined the U.S. Army in April of this year, leaving for overseas on Sept. 1. When last heard from he was serving in France.
Perth
Courier, December 14, 1944
Lt. H. J. O’Donnell Is Promoted to Acting Captain
In the list of 132 officers and other
ranks that have received promotions, released by the Defense Headquarters this
week, Lt. Hugh John O’Donnell, only
son of H.A. O’Donnell, K.C. and Mrs. O’Donnell, Drummond Street, is advanced
to the rank of acting captain. Born
October 14, 1922 in Perth and educated at the Separate School and Collegiate
Institute, and entered the Royal Military College at Kingston in 1939,
graduating in 1942 when he went to Dundern and left for overseas October 23,
1942. He left Great Britain in July
of 1943 for North Africa with the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, 4th
Reconnaissance Battalion and saw service there until November of that year when
he went to Italy and has been serving through that campaign.
F.O. Ted O’Gorman Awarded D.F.C. For Courage
In the latest awards to R.C.A.F. men,
announced on Wednesday evening, by Defense Headquarters, Ottawa, Pilot Officer J.F.
“Ted” O’Gorman, Perth, received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
P.O. Gorman is at present spending a thirty day leave of operations
overseas with his wife and child and parents at 71 Drummond St. east.
The award was given for the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to
duty displayed in various capacities on numerous operations against the enemy.
Capt. J.A. Watt Given Award Posthumously
In the list of 77 decorations of
Canadian soldiers serving overseas announced by Defense Headquarters, Ottawa, on
Friday night, Capt. John Arthur Watt,
son of the late Lt. Col. E.J. Watt, formerly of Perth and now of Ottawa,
received the Military Cross posthumously. He
was killed in action in France with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
Highlanders on Sept. 17, after serving with that unit since D-Day.
Capt. Watt was born here October 4, 1914, his father the late Lt. Col. E.
J. Watt, being a leading military personality in the Great War.
His early education was received at Lanark and later at the Lisgar(?)
Collegiate in Ottawa. He received
his B.A. Degree and entered the Department of Munitions and Supply, serving
there until his enlistment in 1941. A
brother, Capt. James Stewart Watt,
was killed in action in Holland on October 31 and another brother Capt. William K.(?) Watt of the Saulte Ste. Marie and Sudbury Regiment has
recently returned from the Pacific war theatre where he was attached to the U.S.
forces during the Battle of Saipan and later in New Guinea.
Photo G.E. Blackburn
Son of Mrs. Blackburn and the late
Thomas Blackburn, Perth, who celebrated his third birthday overseas on December
9. He was wounded in the left knee
in Holland on October 10 and is in the hospital in England.
Kenneth S. Wilson Now in Command of Demon Squad
News of the promotion of Wing Commander Kenneth
Wilson, 30, son of Dr. E. H. Wilson and Mrs. Wilson, Gore Street, Perth, to
the command of the famed R.C.A.F. Demon Squadron
of the Overseas Coastal Command was announced from Britain Monday. A graduate of the Perth Collegiate Institute, he attended the
Royal Military College, Kingston, graduating in 1937 after pursuing the
engineering course. He then went to
the International Nickel Co. at Sudbury remaining there until the declaration of
war in Sept., when he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. He trained at Kingston, Trenton,
Borden, and Vancouver, B.C. where he took a seaplane course.
Returning east, he graduated as a navigator at Trenton and was posted for
three years at Dartmouth, N.S. on coastal patrol.
Two years ago Wing Commander Wilson and his crew spent five days and
nights on an ice floe in Northumberland Strait, when they were forced to bail
out of their Hudson in a snow storm. The
Demon Squadron has been engaged in anti-submarine work for two years and Wing
Commander Wilson has served as Flight Commander for two months.
He is the seventh commander of the squadron since its formation in May of
1941. In 1943, the squadron, which
flies Wellington, was equipped with searchlights for submarine hunting at night.
Perth
Courier December 21, 1944
Joseph
P. Lee, son of Mrs. Edith Lee, who was reported
missing in October, is now a prisoner of war (photo).
Joseph Patrick Lee Now Reported Prisoner of War
Official notice has been received from
the R.C.A.F. in Ottawa by Mrs. Edith Lee, that her son, W.O.I. Joseph Patrick
Lee, 23, has been reported a prisoner of war.
He was reported missing following air operations over enemy territory in
October of this year. Born in Perth
and educated at the local Separate School and Collegiate Institute, he entered
the employ of the Robert Simpson Company, remaining there until his enlistment
in 1941. He trained at Toronto,
Hamilton, Malton, from which station he graduated in Feb., 1942, leaving for
overseas the same month. Four other
brothers are with the armed forces: Stoker
1st Class W. J. Lee, RCNVR;
P.O. G. J. Lee, RCNVR; A.J. Lee, RCAF, Boundary Bay, B.C.; and Pte. R. M. Lee, REGF, overseas.
Photo P.O. W. J. Hope, D.F.C., son of Squadron Leader and Mrs. Fred Hope, who
previously was reported missing after air operations now reported killed in
action on the night of August 26.
Four Kilfoyle Brothers are in Service
Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Kilfoyle, Innisville,
have received word from their son, Col. Wallace
C. Kilfoyle, R.C.E.M.E., advising that he had arrived overseas safely.
He has been in uniform for one year and 8 months and trained at Petawawa
and Barriefield. His brother Gerald
Kilfoyle will celebrate his fourth Christmas overseas, two in England and
two in Italy. His eldest brother,
Sgt. Stanley Kilfoyle is in service
for three years 8 months and is stationed on Vancouver Island, B.C., while his
youngest brother LAC Murray Kilfoyle,
R.C.A.F., has been in uniform for one year and is on Queen Charlotte Island,
B.C.
F.O. John Cordick Missing After Air Operations
Flying Officer John Cordick, RCAF, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cordick, Ottawa, and
grandson of Mrs. Mary Cordick, 35 Brock Street, has been reported missing in
action, believed killed in action after air operations on November 19.
He was born in Nova Scotia and came to Perth with his parents when an
infant, attending school here. Later
the family moved to Ottawa and on completing his education entered the employ of
Swift and Company, where he was employed when he enlisted in August, 1941.
He trained at Dunville, London, and Alymer and was posted as instructor
at Stanley N.S. and went overseas in Feb. 1944 and was promoted to Pilot Officer
that month. Promotion to Flying
Officer was announced in September.
Home on Furlough After Five Years Active Service
This district has two representatives
this Christmas on furlough after five years service. Gunner Leslie Elmer
Sergeant, RCHA of North Street is not as anxious to be in Canada as some of
his fellow soldiers. The reason is
his wife is in England. Within
twenty four hours of their marriage on June 6, 1943, he had to join his unit and
all leaves were cancelled for several weeks prior to the unit going to Sicily.
He doesn’t know if he can get his wife to Canada or not as she is a
member of one of the women’s services and it is doubtful she can get a
discharge. He was in many battles
in Italy and was in the midst of fighting almost to the end of November and had
progressed beyond Ravenna. He also
boasted of having no illness overseas and was one of three men in his regiment
to be chosen to come home.
Pte. Anthony
Tomlinson of Rideau Ferry has been overseas for over five years and was
wounded in the Dieppe raid and again on D-Day.
He has been serving with the South Saskatchewan Regiment and leaves after
Christmas to report to his regiment in Regina.
Sgt. K.E. Armour Receives Wound on Western Front
Defense Headquarters, Ottawa has advised
Mr. Alex Armour, 6th Line Bathurst, that his son, Sgt. K.E.
Armour has been wounded in action on the western front where he was serving
with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Born
September 30, 1919, he received his early education in Bathurst and later
attended Perth Collegiate Institute. After
leaving school he remained on the farm until enlisting in March, 1941. He trained at Peterborough, Kingston, Mulgrave, N.S., Prince
Rupert, B.C., and was in Alaska and went from there overseas in October, 1942.
Perth
Courier, December 28, 1944
P.O. Francis Moore Is Promoted to Flying Officer
Word has been received by Mrs. W. Moore,
Brock Street of the promotion overseas of her son, Pilot Officer Francis
D. Moore to the rank of Flying Officer.
He is aged 19 years and celebrated his birthday on Boxing Day.
Born in Deernit(?) on Dec. 26, 1925, he came with his family to reside in
this location when quite young and received his education at Elm Grove School
and Perth Collegiate Institute. Afterwards
he worked for a time in the Perth Shoe Company
and went to Saskatoon, Sask where he was engaged in farm work when he
enlisted in November, 1942. Basic
training was taken at Saskatoon and he graduated as a navigator at
Portage-la-Prairie on April 5, 1944 and went overseas in June of this year.
BDR I.K. Penfold Now Serving at Base in Italy
Writing from Italy to Eric M. Sabiston(?)
on Nov. 17, Bdr. I.K. Penfold tells
of his medical category being lowered to “C” and his transfer to base
following the healing of his knee. He
hopes to rejoin his regiment in the Spring.
His present work is in the Quarter Master’s stores of a reinforcement
battalion and he has met “Mick”
McQuatt and Bonar Grey, with whom
he has had a reunion. Mick is
working in the next block to the stores. Word
is also sent of the arrival of a letter from George Relyea who is serving in a
(unreadable word) station in Newfoundland, also parcels of cigarettes sent by
Mr. Sabiston(?).
Photo of Cpl.(?) F.(?) K.(?) Morrow,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Morrow, Donaldson, who has spent his second Christmas
overseas.
Flying Officer Charles Temple of the east coast has been spending a week’s
furlough with his wife and other relatives here.
Sgt. Gerald
Burnham, RCAF, is at his home in the village. (Fallbrook)
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Eager, 10 Craig St.,
have received word of the arrival overseas of their son, Gnr. Gordon
Eager.
Perth
Courier, January 4, 1945
Vernon S. Cooper Killed in Action on December 13
Mr. and Mrs. John S. Cooper, RR1, Stanleyville, have received official notice that their son Vernon Joseph Cooper (transcriber’s note, the headline said “Vernon S. Cooper” the body of the item shows Joseph), was killed in action in Italy on Dec. 13. Born in Stanleyville in 1922 he received his education at S.S. No. 4, Burgess and returned to the farm enlisting in the R.C.A. at Kingston in 1942. He trained there, at Peterborough, at Halifax, N.S. and went overseas in June, 1943. He went from England to North Africa to Italy in Jan., 1944 with the Hastings, and Prince Edward Regiment. He was reported wounded Sept. 4 but later returned to his unit. He leaves to mourn his loss besides his parents four brothers and two sisters, Daniel and Cecil of Kirkland Lakes, Irwin of Niagara Falls, Harold, Mildred and Ursula of Kingston.
Pte. A. Thomlinson Entertained at Rideau Ferry
On Friday evening, December 29, friends
and neighbors met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Coutts to honor Pte. Anthony
Thomlinson, Rideau Ferry, of the South Sasketchewan Regiment, who was
wounded at Dieppe and later in the invasion of Europe.
He has returned from overseas on leave.
On behalf of friends and neighbors Miss Helen Wills presented a signet
ring and purse of money, also an address telling of the pride of district people
of his service. Pte Thomlinson left
on Tuesday to report to his regiment base in Sasketchewan.
Perth
Courier, January 11, 1945
F.O. George White Presumed Dead After Action
Official word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. John C. White of the 4th Line Drummond, that their only son Flying Officer George White, 27, has been listed by the RCAF as “missing presumed killed” when the Lancaster bomber on which he was wireless operator crashed near the village of Ecquevilly, France July 8, 1944. The report stated that six members of the crew lost their lives in the crash and were buried in the village cemetery there. Born near Perth, George received his education at S.S. No.8(?), Bathurst, and the Perth Collegiate Institute. He joined the RCAF October 8, 1941, receiving training at Mountain View and Guelph where he graduated as a wireless air gunner. He received his commission on December 30, 1942 and was then posted to an RAF station at Greenwood, N.S. He went overseas in July, 1943 and was promoted to Flying Officer in December, 1943 and was at that time attached to an RAF squadron as a wireless operator on a Lancaster bomber engaged in night flying. He had completed twelve operational flights and his squadron was one of the first to strike the Normandy Coast on “D-Day”. He is survived by his parents and two sisters, Margaret, Mrs. John Whetier of Markham and Elsie at home. George was a member of St. Paul’s United Church and was an active worker in its Young People’s Union. He was active in the Junior Farmer movement and was well liked and respected by all who knew him. George White now belongs to the gallant and immortal company of young men who have given themselves for freedom’s sake, men of whom Lord Binyon wrote in unforgettable lines:
They were young, straight of limb, steady and aglow,
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their face to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We shall remember them.
Sgt. Jerry Byrne Returns Home For Treatment
Sgt. Jerry Byrne, son of Mr. Alphonsus
Byrne, Grant Street, who was wounded in Belgium in September, arrived home on
December 26 on leave. Sgt. Byrne
enlisted with the Queen’s Own Rifles in Toronto over four years ago and
proceeded overseas in 1942 after which he transferred to the Black Watch
Battalion and took part in the invasion of Normandy. He received a severe wound in the left leg fighting in the
Albert Canal, Belgium. Sgt. Byrne
has gone to Toronto where he will enter Christie Street Hospital for further
treatment to his leg.
Photo F.O. George White, 4th Line Bathurst, who has been listed as
“missing presumed dead” in action in France, July 8, 1944
Photo Gnr. Kenneth W. Davis, son of Mrs. Davis and the late Henry Davis, who
died from injuries received in action on a date not yet available.
Gnr. Kenneth Davis Died Overseas From Injuries
Defense Headquarters, Ottawa, on
Thursday of last week advised Mrs. Davis, Drummond Street east, that her only
son, Gunner Kenneth Wilfred Davis, had died from injuries received in action on
a date not yet available. The cause
of death is reported as crushed chest and lacerations to the head but the
particulars of how he received these injuries is not available.
Born in Perth on December 18, 1919, a son of Mrs. Davis and the late
Henry Davis. Mrs. Davis was the
former Marion Gallagher of Elm Grove. He
was educated at the public school and Collegiate.
On leaving school, he was employed at the Perth Shoe Company.
An outstanding athlete at school, he later developed a reputation in
hockey as defense with the Blue Wings particularly in the 1938-39 season.
Later he played with the Smith’s Falls Mic Macs.
Perth
Courier, Jan. 18, 1945
John A. Wilson Welcomed Home From Overseas
The evening of Friday, Jan. 12 was very
pleasantly spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Pennant and his mother Mrs.
Louis Pennant where the neighbors and friends of John A. Wilson son of Mr. and
Mrs. Graham Wilson, R.R. 7, Perth, gathered to welcome him home on
disembarkation leave. Adding to the
welcome was a nicely worded address to John read by Mrs. Fred Wilson and a wrist
watch presented by Mr. Ed Pennant. John
was a member of the Seaforth Highlanders and was wounded in Italy on the
“Hitler Line” and since then has been moved from one hospital to another.
Now he expects to leave for Calgary, his home depot, where he will get
his discharge.
Photo James
(Red) Truelove of Wemyss who has spent his third Christmas overseas.
He enlisted in October 1941 and went overseas in November, 1942.
Photo G.E.
Blackburn (Pte) who is home on leave with a shrapnel wound in the left knee
received in action in Holland on October 16.
He has been in action since D-Day.
Photo Capt. G.E. Nichols, 25 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. F.C. Nichols of the
Pacific Command, Prince Rupert, B.C., who has been promoted from Lieutenant
after service from August, 1943.
F.O. Blake Smiley Shoots Down Two German Planes (photo)
Flying
Officer D.A. Blake Smiley son of Mr. and Mrs. P.E.
Smiley, 50 Craig Street, RCAF, pilot, saw his first German fighters over
Frankfurt last week and shot down two, the Air Ministry reported.
F.O. Smiley, for formerly served in the Canadian army and now is in R.A.F.
fighter command, was flying with a Mustang formation which destroyed seven enemy
aircraft without loss. The 22 year
old airman got his first victim when he fired a couple of bursts into a
Messerschmidt 109 and saw the pilot parachute.
The second “kill” came soon after when pursued by a low flying Foke-Wolfe
190 he fired one burst. The enemy
went straight to the ground and exploded.
Pte. G.E. Blackburn Home On Leave With Wound
Pt. George E. Blackburn of the Stormont,
Glengarry and Dundas Highlanders, son of Mrs. Mary Blackburn and the late Thomas
Blackburn of Perth, returned to Halifax on the Llandovery Castle on January 9
and arrived in Ottawa on January 11 coming home on a 30 day leave from overseas.
He enlisted April 10, 1942 when he transferred to his present regiment. He landed with them on D-Day in Normandy and saw action in
France, Belgium and Holland and was wounded by shrapnel in the left knee in
Holland October 10, 1944. After a
week in a hospital in Europe he was transferred to a Canadian base hospital in
England. He reports to Ottawa for
further treatment on Feb. 12.
Perth
Courier, January 25, 1945
Lt. E. S. Kirkland Given Wings By His Mother
Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Kirkland visited
Kingston on Friday afternoon for the Wings ceremony at No. 14 SFTS(?)
(unreadable word) Rogers Airdrome when 25(?) airmen received their wings and
Mrs. Kirkland had the honor of pinning his wings on her son Lt. E.S. Kirkland,
Perth’s only representative in the Air Fleet Arms. Born on March 31, 1920(?), Lt. Kirkland attended the public
school and the P.C.I. and graduated from Toronto University in commerce and
finance in 1941. He immediately
joined the R.C.N.V.R. following graduation and received his commission at
King’s College, Halifax in Feb.,
1942. He served at sea on H.M.C.S.
Sarnia until May, 1944 when he transferred to the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy.
(photo also present on same page of Lt. Kirkland)
Perth
Courier, Feb. 1, 1945
Pte. “Bus” Troke Arrives Home From Overseas
Pte.
R.W. (Bus) Troke arrived in Canada on the hospital
ship Lady Nelson last week and after a check over in Ottawa has come home for
five days, returning to the hospital in Ottawa for x-ray of his leg, which is
still in a cast. He was wounded on
Aug. 30, 1944, after serving overseas for two years and ten months
After his stay in Ottawa, Pte. Troke expects to spend his 30 day leave at
home. He was met at the station by
his wife and family and parents and friends from Tayside Textiles, Ltd., with
which company he worked before enlistment and Mayor F.W. Burchell and L.
Stephenson, representing the town and the company.
Neighbors on Beckwith St. had decorated his home with flags and a welcome
home sign. Members of the Orange
Young Britons of which he is one of the many members on active service, welcomed
him home with a gift of cigarettes and fruit, presented by representatives of
the lodge at his home. Two brothers
are also serving overseas, Pte. D.C. Trooke of the R.C.M.C. in England and Pte.
C.C. Trooke, R.C.A.S.C. in Belgium.
Photo Cpl. Edwin M. Lally, R.C.A.F., overseas, who goes to Paris, France to
headquarters Canadian Military Attache after duty at Air Ministry Headquarters,
London, England.
Delwyn Harper Commissioned As Pilot Officer
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Harper, McDonald’s
Corners, have received word that their son Flt. Sgt. Delwyn Harper, had received
his commission as pilot officer. He
has nearly completed his tour of operational flights with the RCAF over enemy
territory. Born at McDonald’s
Corners in 1924 he attended Dunlop School and on completing his education worked
at home on the farm and in western Ontario.
He enlisted July 27, 1943 and trained at Edmonton, Alberta; Montreal; St.
Hubert; and Mount Pleasant, P.E.I., graduating there as an air gunner in Feb.,
1944. He took post-graduate
training at Valleyfield and Lachine and left for overseas in March of last
years.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry McDonnell, Clarendon
Station, have received word that their son Herbert
McDonnell has been promoted to Flight Sergeant. He is a Spitfire pilot serving with the R.A.F. in Holland.
He reports his squadron shot down nine planes on December 28. They spent
their Christmas time bombing tanks, trucks and trains in Belgium.
Word has been received by Mrs. Jas. H.
Rodger that Flight Sergeant Donald M.
Lamon of the U.S.A. Infantry Corps has been listed as missing in action.
He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy
on August 10, 1944 near Les Passages, France.
Perth
Courier, Feb. 8, 1945
Memorial Service for RCAF Member at Hopetown
A memorial service was held on Sunday at
United Church, Hopetown for Wireless Operator Gunner Raymond Craig Woods, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Melville Woods of
Hopetown. He was drowned when his
plane crashed into the North Sea. The
impressive service was conducted by Mr. G. Warren, and was attended by a
congregation which filled the church, comprising members of the family, friends
and school mates of the drowned airman. The
sorrow of the family was doubly great as the eldest son has now been posted as
missing overseas.
Photo Pte. N.(?) D.(?) Tysick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Tysick of Smith’s Falls, who
was killed in action recently in Italy while serving with the Canadian forces.
Photo John
Cordick
F.O. John Cordick Presumed Killed on November 19
Flying Officer John Cordick, RCAF, son
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cordick, Ottawa, and grandson of Mrs. Mary Cordick, 35 Brock
Street, who was reported missing following air operations on November 19, has
now been reported “presumed killed” while serving with an RCAF squadron in
Holland. Writing to Mr. and Mrs.
Cordick, a squadron mate, who also piloted a Typhoon fighter, told of the
formation’s attack on a railway target in Germany when F.O. Cordick’s
plane was hit by an 18 mm shell and crashed to the earth.
He was born in Halifax, N.S., and came to Perth with his parents when an
infant, attending school here. Later
the family moved to Ottawa, and on completing his education he entered the
employ of Swift and Company, where he was employed when he enlisted in August,
1941. He trained at Dunville,
London and Aylmer and was posted as instructor to Stanley, N.S. and went
overseas in Feb., 1944 and was promoted to Pilot Officer that month.
Promotion to Flying Officer was announced in September.
Perth
Courier, Feb. 15, 1945
Photo of Flight Lt. P.J. McManus, son Mr. and Mrs. J.J. McManus, 148 Gore St. east, a
prisoner of war in Germany, who has been promoted to that rank as from Sept. 25,
1944.
Perth
Courier, Feb. 22, 1945
Photo F.O. Robert White
F.O. Robert White Now Presumed To Have Died
Mr. and Mrs. W. G. White, Basin St., Perth, have recently received word that their son F.O. Robert J. White, missing since last March 31 is now officially presumed dead. Navigator of a Lancaster bomber he took part in the ill fated raid of Nuremburg when 13 Canadian and 83 British bombers were shot down and his plane was listed among the missing. Although hope was held out that the crew would turn up as prisoners of war, from an indirect source it was reported that he was killed and buried in Herhahm Cemetery, with six other members of his crew. Born October 24, 1918, Bob attended Perth Public School and P.C.I. and was a member St. James Anglican Church, Perth. Very popular in Perth, he excelled in athletics. While at the Collegiate he captained the rugby team and developed into a great lineman. He often carried the team along with his leadership. He also starred on the defense for the Perth Blue Wings when they reached the Eastern Canada Finals against Oshawa and later played with the Perth Crescents and Smith’s Falls Mic-Macs in senior company. In baseball he was also a first class performer being a real long distance hitter. He joined the air force in January, 1942 and received his wing at Jarvis in October of the same year. He went overseas in January of 1943 and was soon in action taking part in the first big raids in the attack on Italy and was mentioned for his part in the attack on the Turin Industrial Centre beyond the Alps also for raids on Berlin, Hamburg, St. Nazaire, Lorient and other Nazi and Nazi held cities. After completing his first tour of duty as flight sergeant along with other members of his crew he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation said “Flt. Sgt. White as navigator has participated in attacks on some of the enemy’s most heavily defended targets. His operational career has been marked with exceptional coolness and courage he has shown in times of danger”. Later he received the D.F.C. from King George and was promoted to Pilot Officer and later to Flying Officer. He spent some months instructing and finally with the majority of his old crew, returned to operations for a second tour and at the time of the Nuremburg raid had nearly completed it. Sadly mourned by his parents and a host of friends and family he will be greatly missed in the athletic and social life of the town as he was always ready with a joke and smile and was well liked by everyone. Besides his parents two sisters and one brother survive him, namely, Jean of Perth, Lillian, Mrs. Lawrence Royal of New York City and Ronald of Camp Borden.
We must carry on, as now must so many others,
And do our part that his gift not be in vain
And look to the day that men shall live as brothers
As he dreamed might be though he come
not home again.
Warrant Officer (unreadable number or
letter) E.J. Hepton, Crooksville,
arrived in New York on Feb. 11 after completing his first tour of operations.
He trained at Lachine and Mountain View receiving his air gunner’s
wings at Mt. Joli in 1943 and was posted to the Bahamas, going overseas in Oct.,
1943.
Photo Thomas H.(?) Gemmell
Arrives Home
A prisoner of war in Germany since he was captured by Rommel’s army near Tobruk, Egypt on June 3, 1942, Major Thomas H.(?) Gemmell of the Royal Artillery, son of Councillor and Mrs. Gemmell, Drummond Street, arrived home on a short leave Monday afternoon. Word of his homecoming only reached his parents a few hours before his arrival, which was almost eight years from his departure for England on Feb. 25, 1937. Following his graduation from R.M.C. Kingston, he proceeded to Lark Hill Royal Artillery training school in England and from there went to frontier stations in India, where he gained his majority, becoming one of the youngest of that rank in the British Regular Army. Returning to regimental headquarters in Bombay, he was posted to service in the Sudan, Abysinnia, and Eritrea and afterwards to Cyprus, Iran and Libya. On December 14, word was received by his parents from the Under Secretary of State for War in Great Britain that he was safe in Allie hands and on reaching England he was granted a 28 day leave. Owing to traveling time from England to Canada and return being included, he expects to have ten days here.
Posted: 16 March, 2005.