George Jeffery Andrews was born July 2, 1922 in Broomhill, Manitoba. 

George enlisted in World War II in Winnipeg, Manitoba on March 9, 1942. He joined the Royal Canadian Engineers, serving in Canada, the United Kingdom and continental Europe.  George received the 1939-1945 Star, the France/Germany Star and the Canada Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. 

After returning from the war George was a farmer, welder and school bus driver living in Broomhill and later Reston. He was a member of the Elizabeth Branch #106 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Reston, Manitoba for 39 years. George passed away July 29, 1993.

George was the step father of Ken, Donald and Brian Zarn. His son Keith Andrews lives in Beechy, Saskatchewan. 

The banner for George Andrews was sponsored by the Brian Zarn Family. 

Pte. Mona (Milliken) Ante -  Reston, MB    WWII

Mona Milliken, the eldest child of George and Murielle Milliken, was born January 1, 1919. She grew up on the family farm in the Hillview district with her two brothers, Jim and Pete. Following high school graduation, she earned her degree in music from Brandon University and taught piano in Swan River, MB.

She joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corp (C.W.A.C.) in the spring of 1942 and had was sent to Vermilion, Alberta for Basic Training after which she was posted to Winnipeg to the men’s unit of the Canadian Army Signal Corps at headquarters in Fort Osborne. She served here until the last six months of her service when she was posted to the Canadian Military Unit (army jail) where she acted as secretary to the officer in charge and censored the prisoners’ mail. In the Signal Corps she served as a supervisor, sending and receiving messages by telephone, teletype and Morse code and decoding messages.

She met Flying Officer Al Ante during her time in the Army and they were married on June 17, 1944. They moved to Penticton, BC in 1946 and spent the rest of their lives there. While looking after her home and raising their three sons, Doug, Ken and Dick, Mona taught piano, tutored students in math and was a Cub Scout leader. She enjoyed camping and fishing, was an extraordinary cook, wonderful hostess and avid letter writer, keeping in touch with family and friends with regular correspondence. She passed away on March 19, 2004.

When discussing her time in the C.W.A.C. many years afterwards she said, “Yes, the years in the Army affected my life. It made me “grow up” very quickly and it changed my thinking about values, attitudes and other people. It was a part of my life I would not have missed, but one I would never want to repeat. Nor would I want my family to live through such a period again. I hope and pray we do not allow a war to happen again. War does not solve anything”.

David Armstrong was born on January 11, 1920 to John and Janet (Pitt) Armstrong of Sinclair, Manitoba. He attended Crescent and Sinclair schools. He was farming with his parents and his brother John when he was called to duty with the Canadian Army in May of 1941. Dave was 21 years old. 

Dave took his training in Portage la Prairie and the starting wage in the army was about $1.20 per day. He was transferred to Kelvin Tech School in Winnipeg where he learned to become a turner which is a machinist. He then went to Hamilton, Ontario for advanced training and on to Camp Borden, south of Barrie for army truck driving, transport service, etc. He became part of the 86 Bridge Company, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. Prior to going overseas Dave was given an embarkation leave and sent home for a short time. 

In February 1943 his regiment boarded the Queen Elizabeth. The seas were rough and most men were sea sick, after two weeks they docked at Greenock, Scotland. From there they went to Aldershot where they trained until spring of 1944. Dave was part of the 86th Bridge Co. which carried bridges known as Bailey Bridges, portable prefab bridges designed to span 200 foot rivers. The bridge elements were small enough to be carried in trucks but strong enough to carry trucks and tanks.

Disembarking in France in the summer of 1944 his company was caught in the battle of Falise. The Canadian Army moved mostly at night and moved into Holland where Dave spent the winter of 1944-45. Dave was now involved in the campaign to free up Antwerp port facilities. Dave didn’t incur any physical wounds but suffered from severe carbon monoxide poisoning due to a confined working area in Holland.   

In 1945 the company crossed the Rhine on a Bailey Bridge near Dusseldorf where everything had been destroyed only a few German farmers left.  Dave stayed on in Germany after the war ended until August 1945 when he arrived back in England and was sent home in February 1946. He said the nicest sound he heard when they docked in Halifax was the sound of the train whistle a much different sound than overseas. 

Dave received his discharge in the winter of 1946. He was proud of being part of the Canadian Army but remarked, “There was nothing romantic about this war. It was a lot of hard slogging.” His time in the army during the war shaped his outlook on life.

David Armstrong received the following medals:

1939-1945 Medal

1939-1945 Voluntary Service Medal

The Defense Medal

The France & Germany Star

The 1939-1945 Star 

In 1947 Dave and his brother John formed a partnership running a grain and cattle farm on the Armstrong Family Farm. Dave had a love of animals, he was an avid baseball player in his youth and later on curled in Reston as well. Dave was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion Elizabeth Branch #106. 

Dave never married but was involved in the farm decisions until he went into hospital in October 2010.  He died at the age of 90 on December 18, 2010. 

The banner for David Armstrong was sponsored by his special friends Betty Thompson, David Halls, Brian, Bonnie and Wyatt Ramsey. 

Of note Dave’s war experiences in this biography were taken from an article from the November, 7, 2009 Reston Recorder written by Donna Anderson. The entire article can be viewed online on the link to Reston Recorders on the RM of Pipestone website. 

Walter Armstrong was born at Rapid City, Manitoba on August 15, 1896 to Wes and Christina Armstrong. They moved to Reston with his three siblings where two more sisters were born. 

Walter joined the army in 1914 from Reston and served for four years of WWI as a sapper (digging trenches). He returned home in 1918 to Ebor where the rest of the family had moved in 1916. 

During the Spanish Flu epidemic, Walter and his brother Bob travelled through the Ebor area doing the farm chores for people who were sick. They never contracted the virus. 

Walter never married and worked at various jobs finally settling in Virden. 

When WWII broke out and the flight training school opened in Virden Walter enlisted in the army. He was assigned as a Veterans Guard at the Virden Training School. He served from 1939 – 1945. 

Walter was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in WWI. 

Walter was fond of baseball, hockey and curling, he was a member of the United Church and the Legion at Reston and Virden.  He died at the age of 83 in 1978 and is buried in the family plot in Reston Cemetery with his parents, Wes and Christina. 

The banner for Walter was sponsored by his nephew William W. Busby of Reston. 

John Wilbert Atchison  -  Pipestone, MB    WWII  

Wilbert Atchison was born on May 9, 1920 in Findlay, Manitoba. Before the war began Wilbert lived on a farm at Findlay with his family. He worked on the family farm as well as a highway repair business repairing potholes.  

In October 1941, he went to Portage La Prairie for two months to complete basic training. After agreeing to go on active service, he was then sent to Kingston, Ontario for further training. Since he had experience driving trucks for the family highway repair company he was asked to become a member of the 92nd recovery unit. His job was to load up vehicles that were broke down. He was sent overseas in April of 1942 on a single fast freighter that he later found out was loaded with high explosives. After five days at sea, he arrived in Greenock, Scotland and was transferred to a Canadian camp in Aldershot, England.

While he was in England, they passed the time by dancing on Saturday nights and played cards with other soldiers for English money. Their pay was $1.45 per day, half of which was sent home to Canada. On leave in London they took shelter in underground subway stations during the air raids. A high ranking officer died and one hundred men were chosen for honour guard. All men needed to be six feet tall; Wilbert was not quite tall enough so he was sent to have lifts made for his boots. 

In October of 1943, they were loaded on troop ships and sailed south to Sicily. Arriving offshore they had to transfer from the troop ship down rope ladders to a smaller craft. The landing craft didn’t go right to shore and they had to wade with all their equipment to dry land. After spending three weeks in Sicily, he was sent back to the mainland where he supplied spare parts for vehicles and everything else that kept the 5th division going. His troop spent two days in Rome which hadn’t been bombed like London. The Canadian Royal 22nd Regiment had a special Mass performed by the Pope. Wilbert remembered the Ghurkha troops from India that were attached to the British Army. He described them as real ‘tough nuts’. The Italian kids were starving and would scrounge whatever the Canadians didn’t want. 

In February 1945, the 5th Armoured Division was sent to Naples put on troop ships and sent to Marseilles, France where they made their way to Holland to join the rest of the Canadian Army. The Belgians welcomed them as they were driving through their towns and villages. 

When the war ended on May 8, 1945, Wilbert had to wait until August before being sent home as they used a point system to decide who was to go home first. When he arrived back to Canada in Halifax he took a train home and was greeted by his mother, father, sister Dorothy and brother Henry. His mother was so overwhelmed to see him after four years she broke down.

After the war Wilbert continued to work on the family farm where they raised registered Hereford cattle. Wilbert married Lillian Mae Owen in September, 1949.  They worked their family farm until 1985 when they retired to Brandon. They had four daughters, Arlene, Linda, Judy and Shelley. Wilbert passed away on July 11, 2010 at the age of 90 and Lillian passed in November 2022. They are buried in Pipestone Cemetery.  

Wilbert was a long time member of the Pipestone Royal Canadian Legion and a former president of the Pipestone branch. 

The banner for Wilbert Atchison was sponsored by his daughters, Shelley Mispelon, Arlene Hatch and Judy Berry. 

Norman Alfred Austin was born to George and Margaret Austin in Deloraine, Manitoba on May 16, 1924. He was the youngest of nine children, born into a farming family. Unfortunately he lost his mother at the age of three and his father at age fourteen. Unlike today, the children remaining at home were allowed to stay together rather than being placed with relatives. Therefore until Norman left school he was raised by his brothers and sisters.

Norman left school with a Grade 8 education and a great desire to farm. He worked for farmers in the area. Even though most of the farm work was done by horses, he had a liking for tractors and driving. He became quite good at overhauling motors and fixing equipment so he was very helpful on the farm. He worked for his brother Thomas until he enlisted. 

Norman enlisted in Winnipeg on December 18, 1943 and was placed with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. He was sent to Ontario for basic training. He was a fully trained infantry rifleman and qualified as a I.C.III driver. Norman left Canada aboard the Lady Rodney, destined for Great Britain. He spent 23 months in the United Kingdom and Italy. 

Norman was wounded in Italy in December 1944. His injury was considered moderately severe and would not interfere with his future efficiency as a soldier. However, it was later determined he would not be fit for duty and he was evacuated by ship in March of 1945. He was considered suitable for base duties and he returned to Canada until discharged on September 10, 1946. 

Norman was awarded the following medals during his service:

1939-45 Star

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & clasp

Norman returned to the Deloraine area and continued farming with his family. His wife Lorraine, an English war bride, and young son joined him in Canada in 1947. They lived in the Hartney area until 1952 when he moved his family to Virden as he was now employed in the oil industry. In 1962 Norman purchased farm land in the Hargrave area under the Veterans Land Act, where he continued to farm as well as work with the oil industry. He had two sons and three daughters. 

Norman passed away on February 5, 1982 at the young age of 57. 

The banner for Norman Austin was sponsored by the Austin family. Norman’s second daughter, Eileen Milliken resides in Reston. 

Jack Wellington Baldwin     Reston  WWI

John Wellington Baldwin was born in Reston in 1893 son of Thomas Baldwin who was one of Reston’s founders. The family farmed in the Kinloss area. Jack served in WWI from 1914 to 1918 as part of the First Canadian Cyclist Battalion.   

During the First World War, the advantage of a bicycle mounted army battalion over a horse mounted one became obvious. They were quiet and the bicycle covered as much ground as the horse but required far less car and attention. The cyclists received the same training, and the bicycles were equipped in much the same manner as horses. A fully loaded bicycle weighed more than 40 kg and were often called upon to bury the dead. Towards the end of the war the cyclists were sent in advance of the infantry to keep in touch with the retreating enemy acting as scouts as well as soldiers who took part in direct combat. 

Upon returning from war Jack taught school for a short time but farmed for the rest of his life in the Kinloss district. He was very involved in the Farmer’s Cooperative Movement and a member of many local farming associations. He was appointed a director of Manitoba Pool Elevators. Canadian Wheat Producers and the Canadian Pool Agencies. 

Jack passed away in 1952 and is buried in Reston Cemetery. 

The banner for Jack Baldwin was sponsored by the generosity of the Virden Oilmen’s Golf Tournament Committee. 

James Henry Benzie     Reston   WWI

James or Jimmy as he was called was born in 1889 in Scotland and moved to Canada in 1912. He lived on the Tony Pierce farm. In 1916, he travelled to Elbow, Saskatchewan to enlist with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. 

He served in England and France with the 46th Battalion. James was one of thousands of Canadian soldiers exposed to poison gas. He was discharged in 1919 and returned to work on the Pierce farm. 

James worked in garages for Jack Cuthill and a couple others. He also worked at the GS Munro store. In the winter James helped to get the doctor from place to place for house calls and he was a mail carrier until his retirement in 1958. 

James was a volunteer for the fire department and had a lifetime membership with the Royal Canadian Legion.

James married Gertrude Edith Holton in 1922 and had 4 children, Frank, Ross, Don and Marion.  Both Ross and Frank served in WWII. After his wife died in 1961, he moved to a senior home in Brandon and then to Deer Lodge in Winnipeg where he passed away in 1966.

James Benzie is buried in Reston Cemetery. 

The banner for James Benzie was sponsored by the generosity of the Virden Oilmen’s Golf Tournament Committee. 

April 5, 1924  -  September 7, 1985

Ross was born to James and Gertrude Benzie (Holton). He lived and got his education in Reston. Ross worked at various local farms until he enlisted in 1943. He was with the Canadian Infantry Corp and was stationed in Canada, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. On August 13, 1944 Ross was wounded in action at Falaise, France. He spent the next nine months in hospitals in England and was returned to Canada on a hospital ship. He was discharged in 1945. 

Ross went to Winnipeg and took a welding course then went to Red Lake, Sarnia and the Trans Canada Pipeline. In 1950 he returned home and was employed by William Mennie at the Imperial Oil business. In 1970 Ross purchased the business from the Mennies and ran it until he retired in 1980. 

Ross was very community minded and was very active with the Reston Volunteer Ambulance service started in 1967 and also with the RM of Pipestone Fire Department starting in 1966 and served as Fire Chief for many years until his death in 1985 at the age of 61. He was also very active with the local Legion. 

Ross was married to Ellen (Ella) Cochrane and they had two children, Janis and Lloyd. 

Ross also had an older brother, Frank, in the service. 

Frank James Benzie was born in 1922. He enlisted with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, nicknamed “Little Black Devils.” He was unable to go abroad because of a childhood accident so served at home in Canada.  Upon his return home after the war he worked as a mechanic at McMurchy Garage in Reston, Cobb Motors in Melita and at Lang Motors and Murray's in Souris until his death. He was active with the Legion and Lions clubs. Frank was never married, he died in 1980 and he is buried in the Reston Cemetery. 

The banner for Ross was sponsored by his children Lloyd Benzie and Janis Lobreau and family.

Berry, Edward Benson

Edward Benson Berry was born the eighth of ten children in Reston, MB on November 23, 1917. His parents, Edward Hanlon and Bertha Berry had settled in Reston after travelling from Ontario. Some family still remain in the area.

In 1938 and after his school years, and working in the family business at home, he enrolled in studies at Western Bible College in Winnipeg. He left college to join the Canadian Army in 1941. Following basic training in Portage MB and Red Deer Alberta, he was posted to
Valcartier, Quebec. Here he enlisted in full service as a corporal, later earning the Sergeant rank. While here Benson served as driving, rifle range, and mechanic instructor. In 1942 he was recommended for a commission rank and officer training, but failed the medical due to a leg injury he incurred when young. This resulted in a transfer to Winnipeg, Fort Osborne, number 10 district. After studying military law and office procedure Benson was posted to the Discharge and Record Department for officers, where he served until the end of the war in 1945. He spoke of the strain he felt while discharging men who had suffered greatly as a result of their enlistment and service.

Following his marriage to Mildred Hunt in 1943, (married 66 years), he completed his studies at Western Bible College, serving as a minister in Roland for the P.A.O.C.

While raising his family, Benson worked in the glass and insurance business in Brandon, and was deeply involved in his church and in ministry with the Gideons (53 years).

Summers with family and friends were spent at Manhattan Beach Camp, and travelling. Many a good fishing story or adventure resulted from those happy years.

When the family left home, Benson and Mildred moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he worked until retirement. After 24 years, in 1994, they returned to Canada to their new home in Carman, enjoying 16 years together.

Benson passed away May 14, 2010, at age 92, and is survived by his son Edward (Colleen) and daughter Joy Franklin (Gordon), three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Byron in 1946. He is buried in Brandon.

Family and friends remember Benson for his wonderful sense of humour, integrity, sharp wit and jokes. More importantly he’ll be remembered for his love of God, and his witness for Jesus Christ.

John served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 until 1945. He enlisted voluntarily in the RCAF on October 2, 1942, and was honourably released on October 6, 1945. He joined the RCAF in Regina, SK and served in postings in Regina, SK, Lachine, QC, St. Thomas, ON, Brandon, MB, Portage La Prairie, MB and Moncton, NB.

His service record shows his reclassifications and promotions as follows

• Aircraftman Class 1 (AC1) October 7, 1942

• Aircraftman Class 2 (AC2) August 6, 1943

• Leading Aircraftman (LAC) January 1, 1944

He was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M) upon his release on October 6,1945.

John was the second youngest child out of 10 children of Edward H. Berry and Bertha Berry (Davis) of Reston, Manitoba. As one of the younger ones, he grew up with his many siblings helping out with his care and attention. He attended school in Reston and achieved his grade 10 education, some of which came from one of his older brothers, Reginald Berry (Reg) as a teacher in the school.

The Berry family stayed close despite their geographical distance as some of them moved away to other locations.

Our dad was mechanically inclined and learned a lot during his time in the RCAF as an airplane mechanic. Following his discharge, he returned home to Reston, Manitoba to farm, where his mechanical skills served him well. He also worked in his fathers’ hardware store for many years, and he took it over following his fathers’ death in 1963.

Our father married our mother Hazel Sigrun (Johnson) on October 28, 1948, and they enjoyed their time in the post war era farming, planting and harvesting gardens and raising five children. They enjoyed the company of their extended families and friends in the Reston and Sinclair areas and cherished their time with their children and grandchildren, and their many nephews and nieces.

Our dad was an eager and proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Elizabeth Branch, Reston, MB, where he much enjoyed the company of his fellow servicemen and servicewomen. He also proudly volunteered time in the development and construction of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (PHS) in Brandon, MB. He was also a member of the Reston and District Lions Club for many years where he participated in community volunteer activities.

Our mother passed away on November 10, 1979, and our father passed away on February 1, 2001.They are interred together at the Reston and District Cemetery.

Lovingly remembered by family, rest in peace, mom and dad.

Vera Florence (Hudson) Berry   WWII     

Vera Berry was born in Elgin, Manitoba on February 11, 1916. After she completed high school she moved to Winnipeg where she took nurses training at the Winnipeg General Hospital. She then did private nursing and worked at the Margaret Scott Mission from 1939 to 1941.  

Vera joined the Royal Canadian Medical Services as a Lieutenant Nursing Sister and went on to serve her country overseas during the war from 1944 to 1946. 

Vera received the Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, the Clasp Oak leaf and the War Medal. 

When Vera returned from the war she worked in Social Services obtaining her Public Health Nursing Diploma in 1948.  She married Donald Burton Berry in 1949 and settled in Reston. They were blessed with a family of five children all the while as Vera worked part time at the Reston Community Hospital and then in 1969 served the area as Public Health Nurse for Virden Health Unit retiring in 1979.   

Vera was a devoted wife and mother committed to the betterment of others. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and member of the Anglican Church in Reston. 

Vera passed away at the age of 70, on April 30th 1989. Vera is survived by her sons Jack who resides in Reston, Bill and his wife Judy in Calgary and daughter, Patricia Dittmer in Brandon.  

Vera Hudson Berry is buried in Reston Cemetery.

The banner for Vera Berry was sponsored by The Burton Berry Family. 

Dave was born in Reston, Manitoba on December 1, 1916. The family farmed in the Ewart area where he first attended school then later in Reston. Dave participated in all of the usual sports, ball being his favorite. He was also a 4-H Club member. 

He was working in the mines in Levak, Ontario when WWII began. He enlisted in North Bay, Ontario and began his training at No.1 Manning Depot Toronto on January 9, 1941.

Dave was selected into the Aero Engine Mechanic Trade and upon finishing his training served with Anti-Submarine Squadrons in Nova Scotia. He finished his war time service in Torbay, Nfld. which qualified him for the Battle of the Atlantic Star.

Post War Service began in Winnipeg where he served as flight crewman with No. 111 Composite Flight. There were many Search and Rescue flights and Arctic Medical Evacuations. This unit also supported the flood relief effort in the Fraser Valley flood of June, 1948. This was followed over the years with postings to Summerside, P.E.I., St. Hubert, Quebec and MacDonald, Manitoba.

Many family holiday trips were made over the years back ‘home’ to Reston. Dave was an avid curler and while stationed in Manitoba he always made a point of bringing his rink to Reston Bonspiels.

Dave’s military career ended December, 1968 with 446 Bomarc Squadron in North Bay. They made their move to Victoria, B.C. His post military life work continued for many years as parts man for a lawn equipment service company and volunteer work for the Red Cross doing equipment repairs and deliveries.

Retirement years were spent doing a bit of woodworking which he really loved. Gardening was a big part of Dave’s retirement and he enjoyed the fresh vegetables and the fruits of his labour. 

The banner for David Birnie was sponsored by Mel Birnie of Courtenay, B.C. 

Gregor was born April 1, 1915. He was the eldest of five children born to William and Mary Birnie of Ewart, Manitoba.

Gregor grew up very involved in those social activities that typified the lifestyle of his local community and in local team sports – especially soft ball. Some may remember him as a bridge player of some ability. He was a cheerful, versatile worker, proud of a job well done. A competent farmer, a good neighbour, respected and remembered.

Gregor enlisted on November 18, 1942. He was in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, Fort Garry Horse and was a qualified tank driver. In December of that year Gregor proposed marriage to Miss Nellie Stewart who was also in the military. On January 5, 1943, Gregor applied for permission to marry as his plans for after his time in service was to marry and come home to Ewart to farm but this was not to be.  

During the Battle of Falise, part of the Battle of Normandy, from information given the family, on August 8, 1944, Gregor’s squadron arrived at their destination early, members of the unit were outside the tank having lunch. It was hot and dusty when they heard the airplanes above and then were bombed by friendly fire.

Gregor, along with nine members of his squadron were killed that day. He is commemorated at Bretville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Calvados, France.

In 1995 a lake in northern Manitoba was named for Gregor, Birnie Lake. 

The banner for Gregor was sponsored by the Birnie Family and his biography was submitted by his niece Barb Schiltroth of Reston and nephew Greg Birnie of Winnipeg, with notes taken from papers of Alvin Birnie and Melvin Birnie.

Of interest when Nellie Stewart learned of Greg’s passing she came to Ewart to spend time with Mary and William Birnie and family. In later years both Barb Schiltroth and Greg Birne reconnected with Nellie. It was great to hear her stories of Gregor. 

Melvyn Hamilton Brandon   Reston, MB   WWII            

Melvyn Brandon was born September 23,1915, son of Thomas and Mirrillia (Hamilton) Brandon. He was raised on their farm with sister Iloe, southeast of Reston in the Paramount district on 26-6-27.   Melvyn was active in sports, being a semi-professional baseball pitcher for the Moosomin Badgers and a promising hockey player.  He left Reston Collegiate in 1933 where he was a good student including studying French.  In 1939, he was named as a Leader in the Youth Training Movement in Reston and was given high praise in letters of reference in his service file.  Online records of Melvyn crossing the US border at Niagara Falls in September of 1939 indicate he had hitchhiked across Canada and arrived with $14 in his pocket to see a show! It would seem he had a thirst for adventure and took a 30 minute plane ride at some point that included loops and power dives.  This would be instrumental in his decision to follow other prairie boys and enlist with the Royal Canadian Air Force on July 21, 1940. 

Melvyn completed several training postings from February to November in 1941 in such places as Brandon, Regina, Portage and Rivers. He successfully graduated as a Flight Sergeant Air Observer and Aerial Navigator before being sent overseas.  He was described as a fine, rugged type of airman, well built, athletic and confident. Melvyn indicated that he would rather pilot aircraft but he could do a pretty fair job navigating as well.  

Melvyn Hamilton Brandon, a member of 418 Squadron was tragically killed in a night flying operation in England on April 1, 1942.  He and 3 other airmen were lost after their Douglas DB-7B went out of control for unknown reasons and crashed near RAF Great Sampford. He was 26 years old and it was barely over one year since he had enlisted.  That spring, The Reston Recorder published several tributes from his friends and neighbours and they gathered in the Reston United Church for a memorial service.  It was packed with mourners and floral tributes from Antler, Pipestone, Sinclair, Moosomin and beyond. The impressive service testified to the esteem in which Melvyn was held, according to the Recorder. 

Melvyn is buried in Essex at Saffron Walden Cemetery however his family has also remembered him on his parents’ headstone in the Reston Cemetery.  We will remember him and what could have been. 

The banner for Melvyn Hamilton Brandon was graciously sponsored by the Reston Graduating Class of 1999. 

David Ellis Brownlee

David was born at Sinclair, Manitoba on May 21, 1921 to David James and Evelyn Mabel (Rankin) Brownlee. As with many local settlers, the David Sr. And Evelyn came from Ontario just after the turn of the century to the open farmland of southwest Manitoba.  They farmed on SW 9-7-28 as a family of four girls and four boys.  The three Brownlee boys - Archie, Rankin and David and daughter Beatrice all served overseas in the Armed Forces in WW2. Son Cecil and his wife Helen took over the farm after his parents retired. 

David attended school at Sinclair and was a farm labourer for his father.  I imagine him looking up at the skies as planes flew over and he was looking for adventure.  It was September of 1941 when Dave enlisted specifying his wish for flying duties as a pilot.  His application form indicates he was 5 feet 10.5 inches tall, had blue eyes and brown hair. He soon began training at Calgary, Saskatoon and Mossbank, SK.  He earned his Air Gunner and Wireless Operator badges and went overseas in January of 1942. His service file indicates he did well in the training and was evaluated as having a pleasant manner and was a good worker. He had attained the rank of Sergeant in December of 1941 and Flight Sergeant a few months later. Sadly, his dream of being a pilot was not to be. 

Three months after his 21st birthday, David was on a night flying training exercise as Wireless Operator and Air Gunner when his plane stalled and crashed in flames.  The accident happened at Thistleton, Rutland, England. The plane was called a Handley Page Hampden and it was described as a foggy night.  Dave died along with 3 other fellow airmen instantly.  He is buried in St Nicholas Cottesmore Churchyard in Rutland, England. 

David Ellis Brownlee is honoured by a generous community member by Dale Zelmer.

Bulloch, Donald

Donald Bulloch was the third son of Alexander (Sandy) Bulloch and Ethel Bulloch (nee Miller). He went to school in Reston and worked on his father’s farm until enlisting. A group of Reston boys joined the 21st Field Artillery together.
Tommy Lowe
John Milliken
Don Bulloch
Wilfred Ellis
Les Ellis
Lew Watt
Bill Bulloch
Reg Lowe
George Cheyne

They were shipped out to Vancouver and were destined for Hong Kong, but Hong Kong fell and they were sent to Nanaimo for training and coastal defence. After about six months they were shipped across the country to New York City and boarded the Queen Mary and made for England. In England they were broken up and they all went to different units. Don to the 17th Field Artillery. Don always said that it was the best thing that could happen because if you were beside a buddy that got shot or killed it would have been terrible.
After about a year of training in Aldershot, the 17th Field boarded the troop ship John Ericson in October of 1943 and were told they were headed to Ireland, only to be turned left and steamed into the Mediterranean toward Italy entering the campaign in Naples. Don spent about a year in Italy and said it rained almost every day. They fought as part of the First Canadian Division. The equipment they were given was in terrible shape. It had all come from the Desert Rat in North Africa. Flat tires, missing parts, muzzle covers gone, no gun covers. Everything had to be stripped down and rebuilt. They fired the first shot in anger in January 1944 and were immediately shelled back. They were finally in the war. They fought their way up through Italy on the push to Rome. Their biggest battle was Monte Cassino and finally breaking the Hitler line. Up through the Liri Valley, then the Gothic Line, and finally up to Tuscany not far from Pisa.
They were taken from Italy over to Marseilles, France by American LCT’s. The American’s had steak, real mashed potatoes, cakes and ice cream. In France they were put in trucks and driven 900 miles through Lyon, by passing Paris and on to Belgium. They arrived in Wervik, Belgium on March 7th 1945, just over the border from France. They moved up through Belgium and into the Netherlands arriving in Elst to support the attack on Arnhem. On April 16th and 17th they were in the village of Otterloo, as about a thousand Germans were on the move from Appeldoorn toward the islands in West Holland. The night of April 17th was the battle of Otterloo. It was hand to hand combat. Trapped in a small house, Dons troop took 6 German prisoners and gunner Ken Nicholson was killed. It was a horrible night. After Otterloo they pushed on and on May 5th they were in Winschoten and the war was over.
With all the troops in Europe it was going to take some time to get everyone home. The first priority was shipping men to the Pacific to continue the fight against the Japanese, then wounded, then married men. So Don was down the list and spent 6 months in Holland after the war ended. They were kept busy training and taking courses at a tech school the Army had set up. Don like many Canadian troops adopted a Dutch family sharing his rations and made sure they survived the period after the war ended and all civilian supply and social structure was non existent.
He was shipped back to New York on the Queen Elizabeth along with 12,800 other troops, and Winston Churchill and his wife, although they never saw them.
Arriving at the Souris train station he was met by his parents Sandy and Ethel Bulloch and his nephew Delwyn Bulloch.

Earl Kitchener Bulloch      Reston    WWII

Flight Sergeant Earl Kitchener Bulloch

R.C.A.F. #247 Bomber Squadron

R.A.A.F  # 467 Bomber Squadron

Regimental # R/162158

Earl Kitchener, son of James Isaac and Nellie Mae (Miller) Bulloch was born May 5, 1916. He was educated in Reston and attended Normal School in Winnipeg. He taught at Hillview, Homewood, Kenton and Moore Park. 

Earl enlisted on April 1, 1942 and trained in Brandon, Edmonton and Mountain View, Alberta. He graduated as a bombardier at St. John’s Quebec in September 1943.  On October 22, 1943 Earl was shipped overseas and transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force Squadron #467 at Waddington. On September 12, 1944, he was reported missing after air operations over Stuttgart, when their Avro Lancaster Bomber was shot down at Pfahlbronn, one mile south of Alfdorf on a night raid. Two of the crew survived and were captured. 

Earl Bulloch is buried in Durnbach Commonwealth Cemetery about 48 kilometers south of Munich, Germany. This cemetery contains 2960 WWII burials, mainly of airmen. It is the resting place of 484 Canadians. 

Earl received an Operational Wings and Certificate in recognition of his gallant services. A Winged “O”, which was an Observers Badge awarded to a crew member for completion of two tours of 60 operations. 

He received the following medals: 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Bar, Bomber Command Bar, War Medal 1939-1945 and the Memorial Cross. Earl’s mother, Nellie Bulloch was awarded the Silver Cross, the medal awarded to mothers and widows of Canadian soldiers who die on active duty. .

Earl Kitchener Bulloch is honoured on the Canada’s Bomber Command Memorial at Nanton, Alberta and is also remembered on his family headstone in Reston Cemetery. In 1974 a lake in northern Manitoba was name after Earl, Bulloch Lake, located north of Nejanilini Lake

Earl, who was 28 years old, was survived by his parents and three sisters, Iris McMurchy, Gwen Berry and Bud Matthews. 

The banner for Earl Bulloch was sponsored by James McMurchy, Gail Trapp and Valerie Breen. 

Biography of Lyle Keith Bulloch

Lyle Keith Bulloch was born in Reston on March 10, 1920 to Edith and William Henry Bulloch.

He was the youngest of 6 children, having 3 brothers and 2 sisters, and grew up on the family farm. Tragically, his father was killed in a car accident when he was 10 years old. His mother Edith raised the six children by herself during the Depression, but fortunately all Lyle’s siblings were adults except him. His sister Beatrice taught school and his sister Gladys worked in the local hardware store, so they had some family income. His brother Stan was old enough to take over the duties of running the farm, so they got by.

Lyle finished high school and then Canada declared war on Germany. He married Eunice Katherine Halls, his high school sweetheart, on October 8, 1939. He joined the South Saskatchewan Regiment October 11, 1939. His regiment was comprised of approximately 950 men draw from Estevan, Weyburn and other small towns and farms from Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Lyle trained in Weyburn, Regina, Camp Shilo and on to Toronto. In December of 1940, he was shipped on a troop train to Halifax, then boarded a troop ship, the Pentlander, to Scotland and then on to England.

Lyle trained as a radio operator at the Morval barracks in the Aldershot area. The first and last time he got to use that training was during Dieppe Raid in France on August 19, 1942. Lyle was captured along with 1,945 Canadian officers and men, and spent, as he put it, 2 years 8 months and 9 days as a P.O.W. in northern Germany. He eventually made it back to England just in time for VE Day, May 8, 1945.

Lyle returned to Winnipeg to his wife and young son Keith, and then some years later his second son Terry was born. They were proud residents of Charleswood, Winnipeg for over 50 years. Lyle retired from the Canada Post Office in 1976 after 31 years of service. He was a loyal member of the Charleswood Legion since its inception. Lyle and Eunice traveled extensively during his retirement. Among his favorite trips were those to the Dieppe reunions in France, and their many winter escapes with family and friends to Puerto Vallarta.

Lyle passed away February 12, 2008.

The banner for Lyle is sponsored by Terry and Laurie Bulloch and family, and Keith Bulloch and family.

Robert Stewart Bulloch     Reston, MB     WWII

Robert or “Bob” as he was known was born in 1925 as the only child of John David and Clara Bulloch. John D. was part of a large family of pioneer farmers of the Lanark district who married young teacher Clara Deacon in 1919.  He served in WW1 on the First Motor Machine Gun unit and upon return he worked buying grain and later selling insurance. 

In 1943 Bob enlisted with the Princess Patricia Regiment of the Canadian Army the very day of his eighteenth birthday.  Bob served in Italy, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany in his tour of duty.  He returned in 1945 and married Bertha Dittmer of Antler, SK.  He volunteered to serve in the interim army in early 1946.  Bob was stationed at Shilo, MB and gained rank of Corporal while there.

In 1948, Bob began work as a Linotype operator with the Souris Plaindealer newspaper and continued the same career with the Brandon Sun in 1952.  He was active in the Legion at Souris and Brandon as well as the Elks Lodge.  The Bullochs had 2 children - John Robert “Jack” and Wendy Mae. They made a happy life living in Brandon with regular visits back home to Reston.

Bob’s life ended tragically in October of 1960 when the car he was driving was rear ended on #2 highway.  He and his daughter Wendy were fatally injured in the collision. 

We remember the service of a Reston boy with the Veteran Banner sponsored by Brad Martin and Family. 

Arthur Ferguson Busby 

Born September 9, 1923, Pipestone Municipality, Manitoba.

Passed away October 1, 2017, in Midland, Ontario, in his 95th year.

Arthur Busby grew up in the small town of Reston, Manitoba, the son of Margaret Fisette and (Charles Wesley) Wes Busby. He had five brothers - Clare, Burt, John, Max, Boyd, and two sisters – Irma and Isobelle. Grandparents Israel and Mary (Rintoul) Fisette and William and Margaret Ann (Ferguson) Busby, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins lived nearby. Arthur’s father Wes worked first as a farmer, and later for Manitoba Good Roads.

Arthur served in World War II along with his two brothers Max and John. He joined the Army in September 1941 in Brandon, Manitoba. He served in the Seventh Anti-Tank Regiment in the Royal Canadian Army as an artillery signaler. After training in the United Kingdom, the regiment sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar to Algiers in North Africa, then on to Italy, where they made their way from Sicily up through Italy. From Marseille, France they travelled up the Rhine Valley to Belgium and finally into the Netherlands. They were near Arnhem (Netherlands) when the Germans surrendered. In a History of the 7th Anti-Tank Regiment, it reports the following: “On May 9, the Regiment moved to Bussum near Hilversum. Those who made it will never forget the ride through liberated Holland – the frenzied cheering and jubilation of that sturdy people was like nothing met before. The Regiment was welcomed in Bussum in such a way as to be almost embarrassing to all the men – flowers were thrown, and it was a gay old time. Invitations to homes, dances, parades, celebrations were the repeated order of the day until the Regiment left.” 

Arthur was discharged January 10, 1946, to return to civil life. He was awarded the following medals: The War Medal 1939-1945, the France and Germany Star, the Italy Star, the 1939-1945 Star, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.

On his return to Canada after the war, Arthur was first admitted to the Brandon Military Hospital for treatment of an injury acquired during his overseas service. Following, he completed his Grade 12 subjects, and enrolled in Railroad Telegraphy training.

Arthur joined CP Rail and was a loyal employee for 38 ½ years. His long career took him to many communities in Ontario, including Medonte, Port McNicoll, Fordwich, Walton, Hanover, and Chatham to name a few. He steadily moved up from telegrapher, to station agent, mobile supervisor, and finally supervisor in London, Ontario. 

In 1948, he met his wife Evelyn Dunlop Busby at a street dance in Coldwater, Ontario. They married in July 2, 1951, in Penetanguishene, Ontario. Arthur and Evelyn had two daughters, (Anne) Melanie Busby and Kat (Kathryn) Lorine Busby. Over the years, the family regularly boarded the CP train and travelled west, alighting in Reston, Calgary, and Vancouver to visit family and friends. 

Melanie’s husband Goldie Edworthy, and Kat’s husband Bruce Dawson, along with grandson Jeremy Ian Scott Busby, wife Lauren, and great granddaughter Avery Joy Busby remember him fondly.

Over the years, Arthur enjoyed getting together with his Army friends at an annual Regimental reunion in locations across Canada. He was also a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Arthur is buried in the cemetery at St. James on the Line (a historical Garrison Church), where Evelyn sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. 

Today, Bill Busby and family live in the Pipestone area.

Thomas Maxwell (Max) Busby 

of Reston, Manitoba, served on behalf of Canada in World War II along with brothers William John Busby and Arthur Ferguson Busby, sons of Charles Wesley and Margaret Fisette Busby. 

Max enlisted March 26th, 1941, in the Canadian Army and served as Gunner in the Royal Canadian Artillery until he was discharged January 15th, 1946. 

While serving in England, he met and married his wife Kathleen. After the war, Max brought his new wife and their first daughter Lynda home to Canada to plant roots. They soon added daughter Colleen to the family, followed later by sons-in-law and grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

William John Busby, Thomas Maxwell Busby and Arthur Ferguson Busby, sons of Charles Wesley Busby and Margaret Fisette Busby of Reston, Manitoba, all served on behalf of Canada in World War II.

William John, known as John, enlisted in 1939 with the South Saskatchewan Regiment in Weyburn Saskatchewan. His service was from 1939 – 1945. He achieved the rank of Sergeant-Major in the Canadian Signal Corp Second Division. 

Unit: Regiment Number L-1304

Andrew Glenn Caldwell, Glenn as he was known, was born October 8, 1924 near Reston to Clyde and Alma (McKinnon) Caldwell.  The farming couple had 3 sons - Calvin, Glenn and Max, the elder two of whom enlisted in World War 2. 

Glenn began his schooling at Prairie Rose School and finished Grade 12 at Reston in 1941.  He was remembered as being very athletic and a member of the Boy Scouts - a Patrol Leader in this group. Baseball was a popular sport and Glenn’s talents made him a valued member of the local team. Blue eyed and brown haired, Glenn was 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall and 145 pounds at enlistment in Winnipeg, after the harvest of 1943 was in the bin.

In October of 1943, Glenn joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained as an air gunner in Edmonton, Gimli, Winnipeg, Rivers and McDonald (north of Portage La Prairie). He was awarded the Air Gunner wing badge in May of 1944. He went overseas in the fall of 1944 and was stationed in England.  Glenn was described on documents in his military file as an average student, conscientious worker and a good air gunner type. 

In 1945 he was promoted to Flight Sergeant  but tragically a short time later on March 6th, 1945, he was killed in action, returning from a mission over Germany. The crash occurred near Halling, Kent, England.   His death reported in the Reston Recorder said that Glenn’s chum,  Phillip Gonroski of Brandon died alongside him.  The crew of 7 men are buried together at Brookwood Military Cemetery near London, England. 

One can only imagine the sorrow of his family and community upon hearing the news.  His white gravestone in England is inscribed with a sentiment selected by his family: 

A LOVED ONE FROM OUR HOME IS GONE, 

A VOICE WE LOVED IS STILLED

His memory lives on with honour in his hometown. We will remember them. 

The banner for Glenn Caldwell was sponsored by the Caldwell Families. 

He was born and raised in the Reston, Manitoba area.  Eldest son of Clyde and Alma (McKinnon) Caldwell, older brother to A. Glenn (killed in action March 6, 1945) and Maxwell (Max).  

Calvin apparently loved school.  He attended Prairie Rose School.  Knowing this, his mother always regretted that as the oldest, he had to quit school at the early age of 14, to help out with the family farm.

Calvin spent 5 years working with his dad, learning the operation and management of the family farm prior to the commencement of the war.  At the time of his enlistment (age 20 ), he was already renting a half section of farmland to farm himself.

He enlisted November 19, 1942 in Winnipeg.  He completed Basic Training in Portage. 

Army H-103485  Private ; Unit No 10 DD (General list)

Camp Borden

- T.O.S.  A-9 CAC 10 Feb 43

- Completed 6 weeks Gunnery and 2 weeks GMT

- Reposted to A-33 CACTE, T&S Wing

His total service was 38 months with 16 months overseas including UK, Italy and NW Europe.  He qualified as gunner operator, group “C”.  He was employed as wireless operator in a tank for 14 months.

After being shipped overseas to the UK, Calvin’s unit was deployed to Italy. A good memory he shared, was of his wading in the ocean there.  Their unit worked northward through Italy, arriving in Holland for the final days of the war. 

His medals, decorations and mentions during the war included:

                         Awarded the 1939/1945 Star

                         Awarded the Italy Star

                         Awarded the France and Germany Star

                         Canadian volunteer Medal and clasp

Calvin rarely spoke of the war.  When asked about it by family members, he would only reply “What do you want to know about that for?”. His unit was often on the secondary line of attack and encountered many of the carnages of war that he preferred not to recount.

Years later, while helping her grandmother clean out her attic, one of Calvin’s daughters found and read a stack of his letters from that time.  There she learned of battle devastation, long dismal days in the field and a scarcity of food with sometimes only stale bread dipped in rancid bacon grease to eat.  Also of his comrades, killed or wounded in the field.

That whole generation suffered along with the servicemen and their families.  Friends and community members back home often committed themselves to doing their part to keep up the morale of the service men by writing weekly letters telling the news of the area.Following the war, Calvin always wanted to return to Holland. They were there during the final days of the war and the Dutch people had treated them royally.  He spoke of the Dutch people with much fondness – how they took the Canadians into their homes, fed them, and gave them their own beds.  The tanks were hidden in their barns under hay while the German patrols rolled down the streets looking for them.

After the war, Calvin enrolled at the University of Manitoba, in an Agriculture Diploma program which had been established for returning veterans.

He purchased farmland through the Veteran’s Land Act, a program provided financing for veterans, and began farming.

In 1950, Calvin married Margaret Dodds from south of Reston.  They settled on the family homestead, while his Mom and Dad moved into town (Reston).  They raised a family of 3 – Peggy (1953), Marlene (1955) and Kevin (1962). They were blessed with 6 granddaughters who provided them with tremendous pride and delight, and to date there are 10 great grandchildren.  

Calvin was a successful and innovative farmer who could often be found in his shed “making something”, either for himself or a neighbor.  He was a great visualizer.   His passions were welding and metal work but he was also a good mechanic. Later in life, he took up woodworking and was one of the few folks around who mastered the Rubik’s cube. One time he bought an old cat dozer that did not run.  After pulling it all apart and working his magic, he was out pushing bush and cleaning out sloughs.

Calvin was community minded.  For years he was an avid curler.  He served as chairman of the Rink board and of the Elementary School Board.  He was an active Master of the Reston Masonic Lodge and regularly was asked to participate in Lodge ceremonies throughout SW Manitoba.  He knew the ritual book by memory.

In his mid 70’s Calvin was stricken suddenly with a brain tumor which drastically diminished his quality of life.  Calvin passed away peacefully in the Willow View Care Home at the age of 83.

Leonard William Carey   Pipestone, MB    WWII

Leonard William Carey was born on May 5, 1910 in Pipestone to Alice Augusta Moss and Percy Carey. Percy was listed as the Pipestone town constable on the 1916 Canadian Census and the school janitor in 1931. Leonard had an older sister Dorothy who married Bert Baldwin and lived her life in Reston.  

Len was a farm labourer until he enlisted in WWII in July 1942 where he served in the United Kingdom in the rank of Gunner. Len was discharged in November 1945 by reason of . . . “To Return to Civil Life – to engage in work of National Importance.”

Len briefly interrupted his service to marry Mary Irene (Molly) Fairbairn of Pipestone in 1943.  After the war, Len became a carpenter, working in Pipestone.  In the early 1950’s he worked at the 7-UP plant in Brandon. Len joined the Brandon police force in February, 1955. Perhaps he was following in the footsteps of his father who was a member of the old Manitoba Provincial Police that functioned in Manitoba before the RCMP undertook policing in the province. Len first served as a patrolman and later detective. Senior Detective L.W. Carey retired in 1975 after twenty years of service. Policemen who served with him noted his dedication to duty, and his sense of humor, he loved a practical joke. 

Len died in 1986 and his wife Molly in 1999. They are buried in Brandon Municipal Cemetery. A wedding picture of the two of them ended up in the Reston District Museum.  

The banner for Leonard Carey was sponsored by a generous donation from the Virden Oilmen’s Golf Tournament Committee. 

George Thomas Chrisp   Belleview, MB   WWI

George Thomas Chrisp was born at Bamburgh, Northumberland, England on May 17, 1897. He worked on a farm prior to joining the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1914, he was 17 years old. 

The Fusiliers acted as escort to artillery guns. They served as infantry and machine gun battalions but also in motorcycle reconnaissance and searchlight roles. They were an elite troop. He saw active duty in the Frist World War with the Royal Field Artillery, Northumberland Fusiliers, 7th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served in France, Belgium and Germany. It was in Germany that he was severely wounded and taken prisoner. Finally in the exchange of prisoners he was able to return to England where he spent many months convalescing. 

It was here George learned the trade of cabinet making and French polishing. On September 17, 1920 he married Eva Ions at Alnwick, Northumberland. In May 1928, the Chrisp family left England and came to Canada with three young children, Jim born in 1921, Leslie in 1923 and Millie in 1926. Their youngest daughter, Iona, was born in Canada in 1931. The family came by boat to Halifax, which at the time was a three week crossing, and then from Halifax to Pipestone by train. They spent the first few months with an older brother, John Chrisp, on a farm out of Pipestone before acquiring a small house in Belleview. 

George continued to work for his brother for another year walking back and forth a distance of three miles. He then obtained work with Cancade Brothers of Belleview as a carpenter and Eva managed the Post Office. 

The wound from the war never healed and in 1962 George was taken to Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg where they removed his leg. George spent the rest of his life using crutches.

George passed away on December 25, 1968. He is buried in Virden Cemetery.

The banner for George Chrisp was sponsored by The Chrisp Family. 

Leslie Chrisp     Pipestone   WWII

Leslie Chrisp was born in Alnwick, Northumberland, England in 1923. He came to Canada in 1928 with his parents George and Eva Chrisp. Leslie received his education in Belleview, Manitoba and worked in the Cancade Brothers garage. 

In 1940, Leslie joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained as an aero engine mechanic. He was posted to several places in Canada before going overseas. Leslie served in England and on the continent for three years as an airplane mechanic. Upon his return from overseas in 1946 he purchased Cancade’s Garage in Belleview and operated it until ill health forced him to retire in 1974. 

Leslie and Bonnie Kenderdine of Scarth were married in 1948. They had a family of four boys, Barry, Terry, Shane and Lee. In 1981 Leslie and Bonnie retired to Pipestone where he repaired lawn mowers and small engines. Les was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for forty years. He passed away December 23, 2001 at the age of 78. Leslie and Bonnie’s son Terry and his wife Gail still reside in Reston. 

The banner for Leslie Chrisp was sponsored by the Chrisp Family. 

Gordon Andrew Cochrane

DOB: July 4, 1921 Date of Death: January 30, 2009

Born on the family farm near Sinclair MB. The family moved to the Hillview district 2 miles north of Reston when Gordon was 1. He received his education at the Hillview school.

Gordon was one of 6 children - he had one brother and 4 sisters. Brother Calvin also served in WWII - primarily in Sicily and Italy.

Gordon worked along side his family on their farm until he enlisted on November 16, 1941 in Winnipeg, MB at the #10 Manning Depot.

Training: Basic Training in Winnipeg at the Fort Osborne Barracks. Advanced training in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps - mostly driving right hand drive trucks - cab over engine. February 1942 he went to Alberta for further training.

Instructors course at Red Deer AB. From Red Deer to Calgary to Edmonton and on to Nanaimo BC.

August 31, 1943 Gordon started for overseas. Crossed Canada from Calgary to NS on CPR troop train. To Montreal the soldiers had berths. Transferred to CNR train in Montreal and travelled to Windsor NS - sat and slept on hard wood seats. Train trip took 5 days from Calgary to NS. Waited in Windsor NS until the ship was ready in Halifax. Their ship sailed from Dock 21 in Halifax. The ship was the Queen Elizabeth.

There were Canadian and US troops and a large group of Canadian Army Nurses.

Ship docked in Greenock, Scotland after 4 days crossing.

England was shut down - blackouts everywhere. Further training in England.

Gordon was posted to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada to fill vacancies caused by the losses in Dieppe raid.

July 3, 1944. Boarded a ship in Portsmouth England and landed at Normandy Beach on July 4th. Wreckage of equipment was scattered everywhere, and Gordon recalled the artificial harbours created by the Allies using the destroyed ships. This allowed the arriving ships to come close enough to the shore for the soldiers to wade to the beach.

During Gordon's first 3 days in France the situation was still disorganized. The troops moved up to Caen by night and relaxed by day, hiding under trees. They would lay on their backs and watch 100's of bombers go overhead to bomb Caen. They reached Caen on July 18th and found most of the town destroyed. Gordon participated in patrols searching for snipers until the end of July.

August 15, 1944 started action against the enemy. Gordon was involved in many front-line battles as they had to claim many towns back from German control. The Germans took all civilians with them when they abandoned the towns, so they saw few local people.

Gordon, along with the entire Second Division were involved in the battle of Falaise. Since most of the fighting was during the night the Allies created artificial moonlight by shining huge spotlights onto the clouds. This was a great help to the soldiers. Many Germans were captured when the Falaise gap closed. As Gordon's company walked down the road towards the battle the captured Germans passed them headed the opposite direction.

It was late in the battle on August 16th that Gordon was wounded. He was directing tank fire from the cover of a building corner. When the tank moved forward a few metres, Gordon peered around the building for a better view and was hit by machine gun fire. The bullet lodged in his right knee. He was immediately evacuated to England where he was hospitalized and received therapy. He was released from the hospital in England and set sail for Canada in February 1945 on a Dutch ship - The New Amsterdam. The sea was very rough for four days and many of the soldiers on board were sick. The crossing took 7 days to land back in Halifax. Gordon arrived back in Winnipeg on February 28, 1945. He spent the month of March home on the family farm and then returned to Winnipeg to Fort Osborne Barracks. He was assigned to the Royal Canadian Mechanical and Electrical Engineers as a driver for officers. During his time in Winnipeg he also took physical therapy at Deer Lodge Army Hospital.

Gordon was discharged from service in January 1946 and returned to the family farm. Gordon was awarded five medals during his service:

1939 - 1945 Star

The France and Germany Star Defence Medal

1939 - 1945 Voluntary Service

1939 - 1945 King George

Following return to civilian life Gordon worked on their family farm for a time and then had some jobs in Reston working for the Lockhart family - driving truck and working at their garage.

He started to work for Manitoba Wheat Pool and managed the elevator in Ewart, then Snowflake and finally Morden MB.

Gordon was married to Phyllis (nee Everett) in 1949. They had 3 daughters. Oldest daughter Heather died in childhood. In September 1979 Gordon along with his wife Phyllis and daughters Trudy and Tannis moved to Vegreville, AB to work in the farm implement industry. Gordon had fond memories of AB from his army training days and was happy to move to AB again.

In his retirement years Gordon continued to work for the RCMP as a guard at the Vegreville detachment and then again in Morden, MB after Gordon and Phyllis moved back to MB in 1996. This work was usually late at night and with little notice as the detachments were small and did not always have an officer available to watch anyone detained and kept overnight in the cells.

In his later years Gordon's health was challenged by emphysema and he was forced to give up his lifelong passion for golf. Gordon passed peacefully after a short hospital stay in January 2009. Gordon is buried in the Cochrane family plot at the Reston Cemetery.

Daughter Trudy Waters lives in Barrie, On and daughter Tannis Cochrane lives in Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Gordon's niece Janis (nee Benzie) Lobreau resides in Reston today.

Philip Cook Pipestone WWII

Philip Cook was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on May 14, 1919 to Arthur and Elizabeth Cook. He took his schooling in Regina and joined the Army Reserves in 1937. In 1939 Philip joined the Navy and served overseas in WWII, where he was a stoker as well as a cook.

Following his time in service Philip returned to live in Regina. In 1941, he married Claire Phillips of the Findlay district; they resided in Regina until 1950 when they moved to Findlay, Manitoba. They raised seven children, Sharon, Terry, Lynn, Cathy, Philip Michael, Donna and Robert and made their final move to Pipestone in 1959. Philip worked as a carpenter and a painter.

Phil, as he was known to his relatives and friends, was remembered as a tall, broad, quiet man who enjoyed the outdoors. Fishing and gardening were his main interests but one of his favourite things to do was bake pies and cinnamon buns.

Philip passed away on June 22, 1985. He was a member of the Melita Branch of the Canadian Legion and had a military funeral. From the Reston Recorder it says, Wilbur Atchison took the ceremony for the Legion and Michelle Henuset played the bugle. Philip is buried in the Pipestone Cemetery.

The banner for Philip Cook was sponsored by the Cook Family.

David Cowie was born in Forfar, Scotland on April 21, 1893 the youngest son of James Cowie and Margaret Stewart Cowie. His eldest brother John was killed during the Boer War in 1902 and is buried in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. David’s sister Agnes came to Canada in 1907 with her husband Robert MacKenzie and her brother Alexander Cowie where they settled and farmed together southwest of Pipestone, Manitoba. In March 1914 David joined his older siblings in Canada but his time here was to be short. 

On November 12, 1915, David enlisted with the 78th Battalion in Winnipeg at the age of 22. He wasn’t a very tall man just 5’3. Only three attestation numbers separated him from another Pipestone lad named William Scott Kennedy. The 78th Battalion set a new record for enlistment in western Canada and it was announced that the battalion would not be broken up in England but rather go into the battlefields of Europe as a unit. They trained at Camp Sewell later named Camp Hughes near Carberry. 

The 78th sailed from Halifax on May 20, 1916 on the Empress of Britain and were then shipped to France on August 13th and onto the battlefields of Belgium, the trenches of the Ypres salient and by October were fighting on the Somme. The Canadians spent the winter hunkered down in the mud of Vimy Ridge waiting for the spring offensive. 

Early in the morning of April 9, 1917 800 men of the battalion leapt out of the trenches to attack Hill 145, the Ridge’s highest point. David Cowie had moved up a rank to Lance Corporal therefore he would have been leading a small team one of which was William Scott Kennedy. Unfortunately Lance Corporal David Cowie was killed in that first assault on Easter Monday. On April 17th Scott Kennedy would write a letter to David’s sister back in Pipestone sending her the sympathy of his many friends and comrades. Scott’s letter goes on to say, “David was heading his section in the attack on Easter Monday, when an enemy’s bullet found him. Our Major and Captain were also killed or you would no doubt have heard from them. Your brother was recognized as one of the best soldiers in the battalion and a better friend one could not find.” Sadly Scott lost his life at the Battle of Passchendaele in November that same year. 

Lance Corporal David Cowie, 25, is buried in Canadian Cemetery No. 2 within sight of the imposing Vimy Monument. The epitaph on his headstone chosen by his sister Agnes reads, ‘Peacefully sleeping, resting at last.’ Of the 3000 buried there only 820 are identified. His name is also inscribed on the Veterans Memorial Plaque that hangs in the Pipestone Hall. 

Friends David Cowie and Scott Kennedy of Pipestone, who enlisted together and fought together would never know that one day David’s nephew would marry Scott’s niece and the letter informing Agnes Cowie MacKenzie of her brother’s death would be a treasured memento of the MacKenzie family along with the Memorial Plaque or ‘death penny’ issued by the British government to next of kin of over 1.3 million service personnel whose cause of death was attributed to the First World War. 

The banner for David Cowie was sponsored by Graham and Kim MacKenzie of Pipestone and Don and Llynn Carcary of Calgary. Graham and Don are great nephews of David. 

Tom was born in Sinclair, Manitoba on January 14, 1913, the eldest son of Fredrick Craig and Mary-Anne (Miller) Craig. He was raised and schooled in Sinclair and after leaving school he worked in the district in various positions as they became available. He married a local Sinclair girl, Phyllis Stickland, on October 11, 1936. They set up housekeeping on the farm and began their family. Six children would eventually make up their family:

Sidney Anne: 1937

Larry Thomas: 1938

Grant Fredrick: 1947 – 1963

Christine Charlotte: 1950

Philip Owen: 1953

Robyn Elisabeth: 1959

Tom enlisted in the Canadian Army on June 24, 1941 in Reston, Manitoba. He did his basic training in Petawawa, Ontario and was shipped overseas from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He served in the Canadian Army Service Corps and was assigned to the 4 Lt. A. A. Regiment in Britain and Northwest Europe. He was trained as field gunner, truck driver and was qualified as a Mechanic “B”. He was assigned to deliver supplies and troops to the front lines. He was awarded the following medals and decorations: 1939 - 45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, and War Medal 1939 – 45. He received an honourable discharge on January 11, 1946 and returned to his family on the farm at Sinclair.

It must be noted that Tom was one of four brothers who enlisted, served, and returned to Canada. John Miller Craig, Lloyd Douglas Craig, and Gilbert Keith Craig also served honourably in the Canadian Armed Forces.

In 1955, Tom and Phyllis moved to Headingly, Manitoba to assume the operations in the telephone office for the Manitoba Telephone System. While in Headingly, Tom was active in the Canadian Legion (St. James) branch and served as Justice of the Peace for the local municipality. In 1978, they moved to Winnipeg and enjoyed retirement until Tom died suddenly on October 2, 1983.

Two of the Thomas/Phyllis Craig children still live in the Reston district: Sydney Anne (Craig) Gray, Larry Thomas Craig and a legacy of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

The banner for Thomas Craig was sponsored by the Craig Family. 

Robert Cronk enlisted with the South Saskatchewan Regiment in 1940 at the age of 18. He spent five years in Europe and survived the Dieppe raid where hundreds of his comrades lost their lives. After the war Robert returned to Canada in 1945 and he passed away in 1998. Robert did return to France in 1992 for the 50th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. 

The banner for Robert Cronk was sponsored by Brian Cronk. 

JOHN DOUGLAS DUNCAN, the third child of John and Anna Duncan, was born in Antler, SK on February 23,1923.  He attended Clover Hill School and Antler High School.  On August 1,1941, he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. and trained in Penhold, AB, Edmonton, AB, Prince Albert, SK, and received his wings at Yorkton, SK in March of 1942.

In April,1942, he was posted overseas and attached to a Royal Air Force Bomber Squadron, which made 23 operational flights over enemy territory including Germany and Italy.  Returning from the twenty-third flight, their Lancaster was shot down on July 9,1943, over enemy territory and Doug was reported missing in action.  With the help of the French Underground, he managed to escape and made his way back to England, in September of 1943.  From here he returned to Antler on leave in October of 1943 and during this time assisted several communities in the sale of War Bonds for the Fifth Victory Loan Campaign.  In 1944, Sgt. Duncan was promoted to Pilot Officer and in June of that year was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).  On his second tour of duty, he was awarded the bar to the D.F.C., and was promoted to Flight Lieutenant.  Following the war, Doug farmed with his parents on the family farm at Sinclair, MB.  He was also very active in the promotion of Junior Baseball in Southwestern MB.

In the spring of 1971, Doug sold the farm and moved to Edmonton, A. where he was employed selling Mobile Homes.  He remained in Edmonton until his death on October 9, 1975 at the age of 52.

Richard Ellsworth Drake      Pipestone, MB   WWII

Richard Ellsworth Drake was born to Iona Ellsworth and Thomas Drake in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1913. His father was from Newfoundland and a veteran of the Boer War. In 1914 Thomas Drake was one of those killed in the hotel explosion in Macoun, SK.  Iona returned to her family in Pipestone with her two small children, she passed in 1924. Richard and his older brother Scott took their schooling in Pipestone while living with their Grandmother Mrs. Cecilia Ellsworth. 

Richard enlisted in June 1940 at the R.C.A.F. Recruiting Center in Calgary. In December 1940 Richard put in an application for permission to marry a Miss Elizabeth McCrae, whose statement of moral character was approved and the two married December 21st in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  13 months later he was killed in July, 1941 as an R.C.A.F.  air observer over Germany.  The last address on file for the newly married couple was Rivers, Manitoba. Cause of death reads, ‘previously reported missing during air operations, now presumed for official purposes to have died.’ 

After many successful missions while returning to England an engine failure necessitated a crash landing in the North Sea. A puncture in the rubber dingy failed to support the crew, Dick was one of the “missing in action” for almost a year. Through the Red Cross it was learned the bodies had been recovered near the Frisian Island of Borkum. 

Sergeant Richard Ellsworth Drake is remembered in CWGC Sage War Cemetery west of Bremen, Germany.  Most buried in Sage War Cemetery are airmen lost in bombing raids over northern Europe whose graves were brought in from cemeteries in the Frisian Islands and other parts of north-west Germany.  Richard was first buried in the Lutheran Cemetery on Borkum Island off the coast of Germany. 

Richard Drake’s widow received a letter from a companion on their last flight who was at the time a prisoner of war, Sgt. Norman D. Hennessy, No. 16 Stalagluft III, Deutschland.   He starts the letter by saying I hope you understand that from where I am writing the letter it is impossible to give a full account. He goes on to say their engines failed on a return flight and they crashed into the North Sea. The rubber boat should have released but it stuck on the aircraft and one of the crew used his axe to release it and cut the dingy resulting in it starting to sink rapidly. No one had been injured up to this point. The Captain feared the aircraft would sink so shouted for everyone to get away which included your husband. The last they saw him was clinging to the sinking dingy fading into the darkness. The two who chose to stay with the plane fired off a pistol at a passing vessel and they were rescued after being in the water for four hours. 

Richard Drake’s name is remembered on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, Alberta as well as the Veterans Memorial Plaque in Pipestone Hall.

The banner for Richard Ellsworth Drake was sponsored by a generous donation from the Virden Oilman’s Tournament Committee.  

Wilfred John Ellis, son of Alex and Myrtle Ellis was born in Reston on September 21, 1918. He made Reston his home all his life and his family farmed north of town. He had three brothers and four sisters.

He was working on the home farm when WWII broke out and he joined the army at the age of 27 on October 10, 1941. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery as a Bombardier and served in the United Kingdom, Central Mediterranean area and continental Europe. During his service he was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and clasp, 1939 -1945 Star, Italy Star and France and Germany Star. He was discharged on December 6, 1945 and returned home. 

From 1946 – 1957 he was employed as a mechanic for Wilf Nolan in the John Deere and Chrysler Dealership. He purchased the business in November of 1957 and operated it as Ellis Motors. He sold John Deere until the fall of 1968 and then operated a garage (with Chrysler products) until the fall of 1982. 

Wilf married Connie Low on November 17, 1948 and they raised four children, Veryle, Gregg, Carol and Brenda.

Wilf retired in 1982 and passed away on January 15, 1986. Of Wilf’s family Ross and Carol Tycoles, Murray and Brenda Anderson and Suzanne Ellis, Veryle’s widow still reside in Reston. Connie, Veryle and Gregg are all deceased. 

The banner for Wilf Ellis was sponsored by The Ellis Family, his biography submitted by his daughter Carol Tycoles. 

Earl Stoner Ellsworth    Pipestone, MB    WWI & WWII

Earl Ellsworth was the son of Pipestone pioneers Scott and Cecelia Ellsworth. He was born June 22, 1899. He was the youngest of seven children. The Ellsworth family first homestead was along the Pipestone Creek on what became Provincial Road 83, later moving to the south bank on NW 4-8-26. 

Earl was working as a bank accountant when at the age of 17 he enlisted on June 15, 1916 in the Reserve Battalion.  

Earl trained at Camp Hughes, later Shilo, before sailing from Halifax on the H.M.S. Saturnia for England.  He then continued training on the Salisbury Plain, Seaford Station. 

Soon after Earl arrived in England he was transferred to the Canadian Records Office in London for the duration of the war with the 11th Reserve Battalion.  He was hospitalized for six weeks with the Spanish Flu and later received a disability pension as a result. Earl’s furloughs were spent in Bristol, Brighton and Edinburgh and Aberdeen. In Aberdeen he was always a guest of a Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Boston. 

Earl returned to Canada arriving at the same port in Halifax from Liverpool on the S.S. Minnekahada on September 18, 1919.

Earl married Eva Johnston in Stonewall, Manitoba in July 1927, they had one son Bruce born at Pipestone. They sold the Red & White Store in Pipestone in the mid-thirties and moved to Virden, a short time in Waskada and then back to Virden. Earl sold insurance until WWII began. 

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan trained thousands of pilots on the Canadian prairies. There was an Elementary Flying Training School at Virden where thousands of Allied pilots were trained.  Earl Ellsworth was appointed Chief Timekeeper at #19 E.F.T.S. (Virden) until its closure in December 1944. Several of Earl’s time keeping proposals were adopted by the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan on a system wide basis. 

His son Bruce was Flight Segeant at #178 Tiger Squadron, Air Cadets and served in the 12th Manitoba Dragoons. He also worked on the construction of #2 hangar and various buildings at #19 E.F.T.S. 

Earl worked as representative for G.M. Horne & Co. Chartered Accountants until his health forced him into early retirement. 

Earl died February 1, 1968 in his 69th year. Earl and Eva are buried in Virden Cemetery. 

The banner for Earl Ellsworth was sponsored by a generous donation from the Virden Oilmen’s Tournament Committee. 

George Cornwall English    Pipestone, MB    WWII

George English was the son of James Cecil English of Virden and Mary Ellen (Weston) English from London, England.  George was an older brother to Marjorie and Elmar. He was born in Saskatchewan on March 19, 1919 but received his primary education in Pipestone and high school in Medicine Hat and Virden.  The families address on his attestation papers from #2 Manning Depot in Brandon states Pipestone, Manitoba and George’s occupation a clerk at a clothier in Virden as well as at Carscadden’s Undertaker.  It reads he liked hockey and baseball.

At the tender age of 23 George was a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. George received his pilot training with the British Commonwealth Air Training plan in Dauphin and Lethbridge. He had enlisted in January 3, 1941 and received his wings on August 1st  that same year. 

Flight Sergeant George Cornwall English, son of Mr. And Mrs. James Cecil English of Pipestone, was killed when his Hurricane aircraft crashed and burned near Sussex in England on June 3, 1942. He was buried on June 8 in Chichester Cemetery in Sussex. 

George’s cousin air gunner, Sgt. Marshall English, 27, was reported missing the same day. 

Marshall had been educated in Portage but his mother Mrs. Roddy lived in Virden.  He was a mid-upper gunner on a Halifax bomber that failed to return after operations over Cologne. Marshall is buried in the Eindoven Cemetery in the Netherlands. He is also remembered on the Bomber Command Wall in Nantan, Alberta and on a family headstone in Virden cemetery. Marshall was 27 years old. 

 George is remembered on the Veteran Memorial Plaque in Pipestone and the Virden War Memorial. 

The banner for George English was sponsored by a generous donation from the Virden Oilmen’s Tournament Committee. 

Alexander W. Fidler    Hartney, MB   WWII

Alexander Fidler was born in 1914 to John and Marie Fidler. He grew up in a large family in the RM of Woodlands. Alex married Kathleen Kirkland of Hartney in November 1938. They had two children William and Sandra (Gilliard). 

Alex joined the army in WWII serving as a gunner in Canada, England and Italy with the 23rd Regiment, SPRCA and the 31st Battery. 

Alex was a member of the St. James Legion Branch 4 in Winnipeg. 

He died January 21, 1990 at the age of 76. He is buried in Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg Manitoba. 

The banner for Alexander Fidler was sponsored by the Sandra Gilliard Family. 

Audrey Merritt Flannery    Pipestone, MB   WWII

Audrey Merritt was born November 11, 1926 to Jack and Mabel Merritt of Pipestone. She took her schooling from Grade 1 – 11 at Pipestone School. 

Audrey joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corp in World War II. Between 350 - 400 newly enlisted women were sent each month for basic training to either Kitchener, Ontario or Vermillion, Alberta. The women received training to be secretaries, mechanics, cooks or medical assistants. 

Audrey was sent to Kitchener along with a platoon of other women. Her duties after training were secretarial and paperwork along with other duties as assigned. One of the few memories she shared was their platoon Christmas celebration. Audrey served from 1944 – 1945. 

Following the war Audrey returned to Pipestone. She wed Tom Flannery and they made their permanent home on their farm north of Pipestone. They had eight children, Edward, Roy, Gregory, Neil, Francis, Fiona, Patrick and Laura. 

Audrey passed away December 3, 1997. She is buried in Pipestone Cemetery. 

The banner for Audrey Flannery was sponsored by the Flannery Family. 

James Flannery     Pipestone   WWI

James Flannery was born to William and Elizabeth Matthews Flannery on June 8, 1889 in Birr, Offaly, Ireland. James, his two sisters, one older and one younger immigrated to Canada with their parents in 1901. After they arrived in Pipestone three more children were born. 

James enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces on February 10, 1915 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  James was a Private in the Royal Canadian Dragoons (1st Armoured Regiment) 

The following was taken from the Royal Canadian Dragoons website about the Battle of Moreuil Wood. It was a German strongpoint that the Canadian Calvary was ordered to attack. 

"The Regiment was in action predominantly as infantry throughout the war. After the second battle of Ypres, the Canadian Cavalry Brigade was sent to France from Belgium on 4 May 1915. Thereafter, the Regiment saw action as infantry and cavalry and was highly commended for its part in the advance on the Hindenburg Line, at Cambrai and through their domination of        no-man’sland at Le Verguier. On 30 March 1918 at Moreuil Wood, the Dragoons participated in what was to be the last of the great cavalry charges.

Galloping across open ground the RCD met heavy machine gun fire. Turning into the woodline, they engaged in hand-to-hand combat clearing the woods of all enemy. At the end of the 90 minutes battle, 95 Dragoons were either killed, wounded, or missing. The Brigade overall lost 300 men and more than 800 horses.

After the cease-fire, the Dragoons remained in Belgium until March 1919. At Amiens, a table was dedicated to the Regiment for its part in the battle."

On March 30th, 1918 James Flannery was wounded near Amiens.  He succumbed to shrapnel wounds to the abdomen at Casualty Clearing Station No. 41. He was 28 years old. James was buried in Namps-au-Val British Cemetery southwest of Amiens on the Somme.  Inscribed on his headstone in France, ‘He loved honor more than he feared death’.

James is remembered on the Royal Canadian Dragoons Honor Roll and also remembered on the Memorial Tablet in the Pipestone Community Hall. 

The banner for James Flannery was sponsored by Kelly, Jacqui and Shaylee Flannery.

Edward Barwell Foote     Pipestone, MB   WWII

Edward Foote was born in Elkhorn on September 25, 1906 to Barwell and Florence Foote. He grew up on the family farm with four brothers and one sister in the Ebor District. They took their education in Ebor School. Edward’s brother Wesley was also in the service.

Edward married Eva Snyder on November 11, 1931, farmed at Ebor and moved to Kenville in 1934. They had one son Darryl Edward born before the war and a daughter Glenis Eva born after the war. 

Edward served in the European Theatre of War for four and a half years with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps as an ambulance driver. His family does not know much about his time in service except he left them with dozens of photos of his experiences abroad. His collection contains photos of the people he would have met, his soldier buddies, the beautiful old cities and the ruins of other cities and towns he witnessed. Like so many others he did not share many stories but these photos are a testament to what he experienced. 

When Edward returned from overseas he assisted in the pool elevator in Kenville and in 1948 moved to Pipestone where he managed the Pool Elevator until his retirement in 1971. Eva took up practical nursing and was able to help in this way in the areas they lived. When they moved to Pipestone in 1948 she set up a licensed Nursing Home for maternity cases. Dr. Cairns was the attending physician. Their little daughter Glenis remembered all the babies in their house. 

Edward Barwell Foote was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Orange Lodge.  He liked square dancing, he served on the Hall and Drop In boards in Pipestone, he loved bingo, his garden and his cottage at Oak Lake. 

Ed’s wife Eva passed away in October, 1969 and he passed away November, 14 1989 at the age of 83. They are buried in the Pipestone Cemetery.  Their daughter Glenis and husband Verne had three daughters, Tabetha, Charlotte and Pamela. Tabetha has lived in her Grandparents house in Pipestone since 1995. 

The banner for Edward Barwell Foote was sponsored by his granddaughters, Tabetha, Charlotte and Pamela Edwards. 

George ‘Cecil’ Forke      Pipestone   WWI

Cecil Forke was born March 10, 1896 to Edna and Tom Forke on Forke Ranch southeast of Pipestone. He spent his early years herding cattle for his Dad.  From 1906-1910 he was a Jockey for the area race horses. He was a baseball pitcher for different teams locally.

Cecil enlisted in the Army in World War I.  On route from Winnipeg to Halifax he was taken off the train in Montreal as he had diphtheria.  Cecil spent five months in Alexander hospital. Once cleared and able to go to Halifax he was put on the next train. Upon arriving in Halifax he discovered his papers had gone on ahead so he wasn’t able to board and was never sent overseas. He was given a farmers leave December 20, 1918.

Cecil worked for his uncle, Senator Robert Forke, while he was in the government under Hon. MacKenzie King. In 1936 Cecil went to Waterways, Alberta where he was employed by Hudson Bay and Imperial Oil Company.

In 1938 Cecil married Myrtle Stinson, a school teacher, and they had two children, Tom and Edna Ellen and they resided in Pipestone. Tom worked for the Good Roads Department. He joined the Masonic lodge in 1939, and he was an active member of the United Church. Cecil’s last years of employment were in the Coop store where he made many friends. He was active on the town’s committees.

Cecil lived a long and happy life in Pipestone with visits from his three grandchildren. Cecil passed away in 1986 at 90 years of age and is buried in Pipestone Cemetery. 

The banner for Cecil Forke was sponsored by his daughter Edna Ellen Vivian and Family. 

John Wesley Foote     Pipestone, MB    WWII

Wes Foote and his twin brother George were born on November 11, 1915. They were the sons of Florence and Barwell Foote of the Ebor District. Wes and George grew up on the family farm with their three other brothers and one sister. They took their education at Ebor School. 

John Wesley farmed his entire life on the family farm in Ebor with the exception of two and one half years he served in the European theatre of war.  Wesley’s older brother Edward was also serving overseas. Wes was discharged in 1946 and returned home to continue farming with his brother George and his wife Katherine and family until the three retired to Pipestone in 1979. 

Wes, George and Katherine built a new home in Pipestone on a lot purchased directly behind their older brother Ed’s home. After the passing of Katherine and then George, Wes continued to live in his home in Pipestone near his brother Ed, where he loved gardening. Wes passed away at the Willowview Personal Care Home in Reston on August 2, 1985. 

The banner for John Wesley Foote was sponsored by his Great Nieces, Tabetha, Charlotte and Pamela Edwards.

Regt. No. 252903

Canadian Infantry

Enlisted with the 102nd Canadian Infantry Battalion and served with the 209th  Overseas Battalion. 

George was born on June 3, 1891 in Huntly, Aberdeen, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada in 1910 and homesteaded at Eastend, Saskatchewan. He enlisted at Eastend, Saskatchewan on May 1st, 1916 and was medically discharged on January 25th , 1919.

George was injured by gunshot wound at Vimy Ridge on April 14th , 1917 and spent months in hospital recovering in France. He was eligible to wear one gold Casualty Stripe (14/4/17) and three Blue Service Chevrons.

George returned to Eastend, Saskatchewan following the War. He married Vera Earl and in the fall of 1937 they moved to the Woodnorth area and farmed and raised their family. They retired to Virden where he resided until his death in 1976 at the age of 85 years.

The banner for George was sponsored by the Forsyth Family.

James Milton Forsyth      Reston    WWII

James Forsyth was born in Pipestone on October 14, 1921. He was the fourth child of James and Mary Forsyth of Ewart. James grew up on a farm in the RM of Pipestone with his three brothers and two sisters. 

Seeking adventure, James enlisted on June 11, 1942 in Winnipeg. Private James Forsyth was in Unit: D.D. #10. On July 8, 1942 he was recruited to train in Fort William, Ontario with the R.C.C.S. (Royal Canadian Corps of Signals) as Signalman, Unit: 102nd C.A.B.T.C. (Canadian Army Basic Training Center)

James was deployed to the U.K. on December 30, 1942 and remained there until January 14, 1944 when he was sent to Italy on January 15. He disembarked to France on March 5, 1945 and then back to the U.K. on March 9th where he remained until November 23 when he returned to Canada. James was discharged on February 12, 1946. 

The Royal Canadian Corp of Signals records were extremely confidential and highly guarded so little was revealed for general information. To his family’s knowledge James was not wounded or taken prisoner. 

James was awarded the following:

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp

1939-45 Star

Defence Medal

Italy Star

Upon his return to Canada James married Jean Davidson from Decker, Manitoba. Jean had been teaching school in Ewart. They moved to Brandon where James trained at the Brandon Mental Health Center and graduated as a Psychiatric Nurse in 1950. James and Jean were married for 62 years and raised a family of 6 children, with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. James was always a proud member of the Canadian Legion. James passed away June 26, 2009 at 87 years. 

The banner for James Milton Forsyth was sponsored by The Forsyth Family. 

THOMAS SMITH FORSYTH

97 years

April 26, 1910 - September 1, 2007

He enlisted September 30th, 1939 at Minto Armories in Winnipeg with the 1st Battalion Winnipeg Grenadiers at the age of 29. The story is when the call for volunteers came in, Grandfather and Grandmother discussed it and as the two older brothers were married with family and Jim was more active on the farm as they were well up in age (nearing their 80's), Grandfather said "Well, we can spare Tom." It was a tough decision for them to make to send anyone as Grandmother lost her brother in World War 1, but in that era, as Grandfather was the head of the household, what he said … went and they knew that all families were making sacrifices.

After completing Grade 11, he worked on the farm with his father who had homesteaded the land in 1891 until enlisting in 1939.  Upon returning home from his service, he purchased a farm just a few miles from the home farm through the VLA (Veteran's Land Administration) which was a program for returning veterans to help them buy land to settle as full or part-time farmers in Canada. He continued to farm until his semi-retirement to Reston in 1975 but was still active in the farming until well into his 80's. His land is still farmed by his Nephew and Great-Nephews.

He married Edythe Smith Windsor July 11th, 1946 from Indian Head, SK whom he met while she was teaching with Tom's sisters at Norway House.  They had one son, Morley.

He proudly belonged to the Royal Canadian Legion, Reston Branch and was also active in the Reston United Church, singing in the choir for many years. He loved to read and he wrote and submitted different articles on farming and pioneering to farm publications such as Grainews and The Manitoba Cooperator. He had a profound memory and many times would recite poems or other recitations he had done back in grade school.

• Sept 30/1939:  Enlisted with Winnipeg Grenadiers at Minto Armories, Winnipeg

• May 31/1940 to Sept 13/41:  In Jamaica, garrison duty and guarding POW camp with German & Italian soldiers … returning to Canada on 14 day furlough

• Sept 28/1941: Set sail from Vancouver for Japan to protect British Colonies of Hong Kong

• Dec 8/1941: War is declared … Battle of Hong Kong ensues

• Dec 25/1941: Surrendered to Japan and taken POW … for the next 44 months

• Aug 18/1945:  Liberated … American plane flies over and drops millions of leaflets  

• Sep 5/1945: Leave Camp 5B for good 

• Oct 9/1945: Arrive back in Winnipeg

Uncle Tom would never talk about his time in Japan after returning home and wasn't until very late in life that he started revealing what struggles he went through. As he reached his 80's and 90's, seems that his time spent as a Grenadier was a main topic of discussion, be it a good memory or bad. 

Because of his love of reading and writing, Uncle Tom always kept a diary … of his day-to-day farming before and after the war. He also kept a diary of his time spent as a Grenadier. Upon his arrival back in Canada, the diary was confiscated by the Canadian government and kept from his possession for over 25 years. In about 1992, he embarked on getting his diary published and in 1995, the first printing (25 copies) of "From Jamaica to Japan - The Diary of a Hong Kong Prison of War" was printed. A second printing followed in 1996 and is also now available online.

He was also interviewed by Veterans Affairs for a series entitled "Heroes Remember" where he gives details of various happenings while he was a prisoner of war. There are about a dozen different segments ranging in length from 2-7 minutes. The link to these interviews can be found at www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/video-gallery/video/6517

• One Volunteer Worth Twenty Conscripts

• Outnumbered and Out Armed 

• Under Attack 

• Surrender 

• Scant Rations and Hard Labour

• They Found The Egg

• Oath to Not Attempt Escape

• Remembering the Kamloops Kid 

• Dying for a Red Cross Parcel 

• Company Soup 

• On the Wings of a Mother’s Prayers 

• Dying for a Drink 

• Liberated 

• Looking Back 

John Garrick Fotheringham (Jack) was born July 1, 1913, at home on the farm south of Reston. He was the fourth of five sons born to James and Wilhelmina Fotheringham. 

Jack left the farm to enlist in the Canadian Army on October 19, 1942 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He trained and served in Canada at Portage La Prairie, Shilo and Calgary and eventually went overseas to England in June of 1944. From there he went to France in September 1944. Jack served with several units and was serving with the Essex Scottish regiment as a bren-gunner.

Their unit was in Holland, fighting to liberate that country when Jack was seriously wounded on the night of October 25, 1944 during the Battle of the Scheldt Estuary. As a result of his wounds Jack was hospitalized in England until he was invalided home on a hospital ship in May of 1945. He spent a lengthy time in Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg before returning to his wife, Jessie, at home in Reston. 

Jack and Jessie farmed at Reston until retiring to town. Their eldest son Robert remains on the farm. Jack died June 10, 1991 and is interred in Reston Cemetery.

Jack was awarded the following medals:

1939 – 45  Star

France and Germany Star

Defence Medal

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp commemorating service overseas

War Medal   1939 – 45

His son Robert continues to live in Reston and daughter Norma lives in Virden. His second son, John Garrick (Gary) lives in Blind Bay, B.C. and youngest daughter Patricia lives in Medicine Hat, Alberta. 

The banner for Jack Fotheringham was sponsored by the Fotheringham Family. 

Valentine Jim Gloor    Pipestone, MB   WWI   

Jim enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1941. He received his basic training in Chilliwack and then was assigned to the Royal Engineer Corp. He was a private more commonly known as a sapper. They were trained to endure harsh conditions. Upon arrival in England the only place for him to be billeted was in a jail in Aldershot. 

 He served in Italy, Holland, and France and during the war built bridges and repaired roads, he was involved in the engineering part.

Jim was in the first convoy of liberators to arrive in Amsterdam. They were welcomed with overwhelming emotions as heroes. Jim caught a bouquet of flowers tossed his way thanking Canada for their efforts in freeing Holland from the enemy. His daughter Norma still has the tag that was attached to the flowers. Jim was discharged from the army in the fall of 1945 arriving in Pipestone after a short stay in Halifax.

A memorial dinner was held in Pipestone honouring those that served and returned home and those that sacrificed their lives for the freedom we enjoy today. Jim was awarded many medals for his service in Italy, Sicily, France, Germany, Holland and Belgium.

Three stars:

1939-1945 Active Service

Italy Star – service in Italy and Sicily

France & Germany Star – including France, Holland and Belgium

Three medals:

Defence Medal – for three or more years outside country of residence

Canadian Volunteer Medal

War Medal – full time service personnel

Before the war Jim worked wherever he could since it was the end of the Great Depression. Shortly after his marriage in 1935 to Jessie Dodds of Pipestone, they returned to Jim’s father’s home near Mitchell, Ontario. He worked at a sawmill, and then secured employment at a skating rink as a caretaker and ice maker. When spring arrived and the job ended, he moved to Kitchener. He worked in a rubber factory, making rubber boots. He also worked in a candy factory. He wasn’t much of a candy lover after that. 

Upon moving back to Pipestone Jim worked as a farm hand. The motivation for joining the Armed Forces was for freedom, financial and a little adventure as well. While at war one of his jobs was painting.  After his discharge he bought a large air compressed painting unit and started plying his trade.  Jim was kept very busy painting interior and exterior of buildings, barns, schools, churches and sometimes farm machinery. He also learned how to operate a steam boiler and secured a class engineer’s ticket.  In doing so he was able to work all year round as a boiler man. He operated many boilers on oil rigs where he also worked as a derrick man and driller. After several years of hard work he became a salesman and enjoyed the interaction of the many people he encountered. 

Jim was one of the founders of the Pipestone Legion. He helped build the Legion Hall and was an amazing father.

Jim Gloor died in 1979 and is buried in the Pipestone Cemetery.

The banner for Valentine Jim Gloor was sponsored by The Gloor Family. 

David Thomas Greenlay was born on June 6, 1914 in the Bernice district and took his education at the Bernice School. When his father passed away in 1932 David and his brother took care of the farm work and the family. 

On January 17, 1942 Dave joined the army serving with the R.C.A.S.C. (Royal Canadian Army Service Corps). He received his training and then was sent overseas in July of 1942. He said that when driving trucks to another location in the middle of the night if a loud noise was made they would sit for hours in silence hoping the enemy hadn’t heard them. Dave hardly ever talked about the war because the memories were too painful. 

Dave returned from overseas on December 31, 1945 and was discharged from the army on February 5, 1946. 

Dave returned to farming and married Olabel on November 5, 1946 and farmed in the Belses district south of Pipestone. In 1952 Dave and the family moved into Pipestone where he worked as a mechanic. In 1959 Dave became Postmaster of the Pipestone Post Office and was there until he retired in June of 1979. 

Dave was a member of the Pipestone Legion until his passing in September 1995. 

Dave loved growing his gardens, building many things big and small, watching ball at Pipestone sports days or on TV and he also loved to watch hockey. 

The banner for Dave Greenlay was sponsored by The Greenlay Family. 

Jack (John Robertson)  Guthrie    Reston   WWII

Jack was born November 1, 1924 to Edward John and Ethel Guthrie on the farm NE 6- 8-27. 

He went to Hillview and Reston schools living in Reston during the winter to attend high school and graduate from Grade 12. Jack was a talented mathematician and was training to be a navigator in the Air Force in 1942.  He trained in Vancouver but never went overseas.  His dog tag number was P 234698.

Jack married Muriel Irene Kay in 1944 in Reston and they farmed with E.J. after the war.

Jack was on the RM of Pipestone council from 1968 to 1977 and was elected as Reeve serving until 1992.  

The Guthrie farm is now in its 5th generation since it was homesteaded in 1883. Sheldon and Andrea Guthrie farm the land now with Jaxon, Jace and Jett growing up on the farm. 

Jack died June 28, 2011 and is buried in Reston Cemetery.

The banner for Jack Guthrie was sponsored by the John Kay Guthrie Family. 

Private Thomas Wilson Guthrie      Reston   WWI

In Loving Memory of Private Thomas Wilson Guthrie (No. 2130486) of the 81st Overseas Draft 1st Depot Battalion, Manitoba, age26 years, 3 months, 20 days,  Dearly Beloved son of John and Janie E. Guthrie ‘Riverside’ Reston, Manitoba. Died at the Military Hospital, St. John’s Quebec October 4, 1918.

The obituary in the Reston Recorder reads:

“This brave young soldier was born, June 14, 1892, on the homestead farm of his father, John Guthrie, twenty six years ago. Blessed with a robust constitution he reached manhood estate, despite the many ailments that accompanies childhood, consequently and naturally, he was a perfect specimen of the western athlete when cruel and unlooked death overtook him at the Military Hospital at St John’s camp in the Province of Quebec, on Friday last at 2 p.m. Arrangements were made immediately with the authorities that his body be shipped home at the urgent request of his grief stricken parents. The body arrived at Reston at 4 pm Tuesday and was conveyed to the Union Church.

Tom, as he was familiarly known by his lifelong friends, was a general favorite, with all his genial disposition and cheerfulness, creating many friends. He was a real sportsman and was a successful member of the Reston Curling Rink, Prairie Rose and Hillview baseball teams, and his athletic prowess was established in the military camp, competing in their tournament last season successfully.

His untimely death by Spanish influenza and pneumonia has been a shock to the whole of the Reston community and the entire sympathy of the citizens of the district go out to the sorrowing parents and the family.

Idol of your sisters and loving mother, pride of your father and only brother, No longer they’ll stand by your cheerful side, Till God calls ‘over the top’ of the ‘Great Divide’, Bravely, gladly at your countries call, You left your friends, your home, your very all. Their sad tragic loss is heavens gain. Farewell true comrade till we meet again! W.H. McD.

Tom Guthrie was working and studying to be a lawyer when he enlisted. 

The banner for Thomas Wilson Guthrie was sponsored by the John Kay Guthrie Family. 

Gordon Eric Halls, son of Cora Granger and Garnet Halls, was born in Melita on January 10, 1920. His family lived and farmed in the Tilston area where he grew up. Gordon enjoyed playing hockey, baseball and curling. While attending school, he and Kathleen (Kay) Wray became high school sweethearts.

At age 21, Gordon received his notice to serve and began his basic training in Shilo. He volunteered to serve overseas in November 1941. He trained as a fitter (mechanic) and later took a driver’s course in Camp Borden, Ontario. As he stated, “before leaving for overseas, I was given an embarkation back home for a week to say goodbye to my family and my sweetheart, Kay.”

That December he left Halifax on the Queen Elizabeth for England. Gordon remembers it as one of his worst experiences as he was seasick and could not eat. While he was training at Farnborough, a military camp in England, it was very cold and lonesome spending Christmas alone. He was shipped out to the first division ambulance company as a fitter. Later he was transferred to 41 General Transport Company situated at Forest Row in England where he was a driver and travelled on a convoy all over England and Scotland.

Next, he was stationed to Sicily, Italy transporting military supplies, everything from troops to gas. While in Italy he survived Nazi air raids. In April 1945 right before the war ended, his company boarded ships to Marseilles, France. Traveling through Belgium to Germany he later recollected that there wasn’t a branch or leaf left on the trees from all the bombs. Gordon spent six months in Holland for the long wait to return home. A warm memory for him was laying a blanket in the back of a truck and playing bridge with fellow soldiers. He kept in touch with some of these men, who he called friends, and treasured his bridge score booklet in the years to come. Although he had faced the tragedies of war firsthand, he felt fortunate to have made it home. Gordon later became an active member of the Sinclair Legion.

On February 19, 1946, Gordon and Kay were married and later purchased their own farm. Their first son, Allan, was born in 1947 followed by the surprise of twins, William and Elizabeth, in 1948. A few years later in 1952 their last son, David, was born. Allan and Bill joined the family farm in the mid 70’s a few years before Gordon retired. Gordon and Kay lived in their home on the farm until 1998 when they moved to Reston. Gordon always looked forward to his frequent games of bridge at the drop-in center as well as listening to his old-time music.

Gordon passed away on January 27, 2010, leaving behind his wife of 64 years. Kay passed awayjust a few years later in 2013. Gordon was a man of few words, but if he was truly passionate about something he would make his voice heard.

Pte. Gordon Halls was awarded six medals  of  honor.

The France and Germany Star

The Italy Star

The 1939-1945 Star

The Defence Medal (United Kingdom)

The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

The War Medal 1939-1945.

The banner for Gordon Halls was sponsored by the Halls Family. 

George Alexander Harbottle   Reston   WWII

George Harbottle was the eldest son of Alex and Agnes Harbottle. He was born in 1912 on the family farm at Findlay.  George worked in the Reston area and went overseas in WWII as part of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. He served from 1945 – 1948. In the war George’s role was a motor vehicle mechanic. He spent time fixing the vehicles and working on them for use in the battlefields. George held the rank of Sergeant when he left the service. George’s life returning from the war continued on much the same as before he went but he had to live with what he saw after coming home. 

George married Jean Fraser of the Kinloss district in 1950. They purchased section 2-6-27 the old Jim Huston farm in the Huston district. They had two sons, Thomas born in 1951 and Kenneth born in 1954. 

George was a member of the Pipestone Legion but he never talked about the war. George passed away in 1967 and is buried in the Reston Cemetery.

The banner for George Harbottle was sponsored by the Harbottle family. 

Frank Harrison (1897 – 1983)

Frank Harrison was born in Leyland, Lancashire, England in 1897 and came to Canada with his family in 1905.  They farmed near Oxbow, Saskatchewan at Auburnton.  At the tender age of 19, Frank enlisted with the 27th Winnipeg Rifles in 1916 and was given registration number 234951.  He served in France and Belgium for 21 months and suffered a gunshot wound to the wrist in September of 1918. He also won the Military Medal for bravery in the field. 

After being discharged in March of 1919, Frank returned to the family farm and later become the Oxbow town constable and utility man in 1937. Frank and Lottie Blanche Simons were married in July of 1926 and went on to have 2 boys and 2 girls.  

Frank joined WW2 as part of the Veteran’s Guard in 1943 – 1945 and then worked for the C.P.R which resulted in his transfer to Reston in 1950 as night-watchman for “The Peanut” a mixed train that ran on a line between Reston and Wolsley, SK.  He and Lottie were transferred to Neudorf, SK but must have felt at home in Reston as they came back to retire in 1958.  

He was known and loved as someone always willing to help someone else and is remembered for his contributions to Reston Memorial Park. Lottie was a valued community member with her contributions to United Church Women and the choir.  He died in November of 1983 in Virden and Lottie passed away two years later. Their eldest son Kenneth died as an infant and Frank and Lottie were returned to be buried with him at Oxbow.  After spending a quarter century in Reston, Frank Harrison is fondly remembered by many.

Frank Harrison’s Veteran Banner is proudly sponsored by his grandchildren.

Robert Luke Harrison was born in Elkhorn Manitoba on March 13, 1920 the son of Harry and Mary Edith Harrison. He had one sister Inez and two brothers Lester and Stanley. 

Robert enlisted in Brandon, Manitoba on August 15, 1941. He shipped overseas in April, 1942 and was killed in action shortly before the end of the war in Europe. 

In November 2001, the following information was submitted by his brother to the book, “A Place of Honour, Manitoba’s War Dead Commemorated in its Geography.” 

Corporal Robert L. Harrison of Cromer, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals died 23 April, 1945 at the age of 25 and is commemorated at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery in Holland.  As a young man growing up in the depression years, life was very quiet and rigorous. He worked for various farmers and did some trapping in the winter time. He was never married and left his parents, one sister and two brothers to mourn his loss.

Harrison Bay (64 G/6) in Denison Lake was named after him in 1994.

Robert received the following medals:

1939-45 Star

France – Germany Star

Defence Medal

War Medal

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp

The banner for Robert Harrison was sponsored by the Joseph and Harrison Families.

Ken was born April 20, 1919 in Antler, Saskatchewan, the only son of Len and Edith Hawkins (one daughter Marjorie). After receiving his education in Antler he worked with his father Len in their General Store Len Hawkins & Son and Imperial Oil business in Antler. In his youth Ken enjoyed many years of playing Baseball, Hockey and also had a great ear for piano.

We have little information regarding Ken’s service, possibly been lost in a fire. Some of the information gathered was taken from The Reston Recorder Archives (Antler News) along with a few documents and information kept by the family.

In the fall of 1940 Ken along with a few other local fellows went to Regina where they completed 30 days of Army Basic Training (at that time training took place in part of the Regina Grain Show Building and grounds). In 1941 Ken enlisted in the RCAF and began his training in Regina in the Equipment Department in January of 1942. In May of 1942 he left for Regina then Saskatoon to join the class of 1000 trainees in Wireless Communication where he attained his L.A.C. (Leading Air Craftsman) standing in the R.C.A.F. In October of 1942 he went to Toronto then Trenton Ont., where he joined the No. 1 Fighter Squadron. May 16, 1943 Ken left from Moncton, New Brunswick for Bournemouth, England. He served overseas until Nov. 22, 1944. A few misc. military documents noted the areas of Birmingham and Houghton Green Depot in Warrington England. 

Ken was discharged from the R.C.A.F. in Regina on January 22, 1945 and returned to Antler where he eventually took over as sole owner of the Hawkins General Store. He married Joyce Lawrence of Pipestone, Manitoba in August 1948. Their children currently in the area are Cathy Williamson, Robert and Donald of Reston, Dale of Antler, Saskatchewan, ( Lawrence of Edmonton). Ken worked as a salesman while he and Joyce continued operating the store until it was destroyed by fire in 1973. After the fire he worked a number of years for Kents Flour Mills of Virden until retiring due to poor health.

Ken received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp and was a member of the Sinclair Legion. 

He passed away at his lifelong home in Antler on August 8, 1983.

The banner for Ken Hawkins was sponsored by the Hawkins Family. 

Douglas Noel Hay     Findlay   WWII

Douglas Noel Hay, son of Jack and Sarah Hay of Findlay, Manitoba was born on Christmas Day, 1913, thus his second name, Noel. He was one of eight children who grew up on the family farm and attended school at Findlay.

Douglas worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway as a section man from 1930 – 1940. In July, 1939 Douglas married Miss Emilie Hardy of Belleview, Manitoba. They had two daughters, Francis b. 1941 and Pat b. 1942.  Doug was employed by the San Antonio Gold Mines in Bissett, Manitoba where he and Emilie were residing from 1940 until his enlistment. 

On February 29, 1943 Douglas Hay enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force as an air gunner.  He trained in Brandon, Winnipeg and Trenton, Ontario before heading overseas in January of 1944. 

On March 2, 1944 upon returning from a mission his plane ran out of fuel and went down in England a short distance from his base. Douglas Hay was killed, he was 30 years old. Sgt. Air Gunner Hay is buried in Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate, Yorkshire in England. 

This is a report found of the crash: During the evening of 2nd March 1944 the crew of this 425 Squadron Halifax LW378 took off from Tholthorpe airfield at 18.05 hrs to carry out an evening cross-country navigation exercise. During the training flight the aircraft's starboard outer engine failed, the engine was shut down and the propeller feathered but this in itself was not a serious problem as pilots were trained to fly on three engines. The aircraft and crew were cleared to make a landing at Tholthorpe and turned into the landing circuit. Why the crash then occurred was never really understood, it was thought that another engine may have failed and and/or after lowering the undercarriage legs increased drag caused the pilot to loose full control of the aircraft. While making a turn onto to a crosswing leg of their approach to land and while letting down control was lost and the aircraft crashed next to Oakdene Farm, Crayke at 20.05hrs. Seven of the eight man crew on board were sadly killed with many receiving posthumous commissions. The aircraft struck a tree close to Oakdene Farm prior to hitting the ground with a large fire then destroying much of the aircraft. Many of those on board were in their crash positions suggesting that the crew knew there was a problem prior to a crash. An attending firemen was traced in 2010 and recalled the trouble in putting out the burning aircraft, he believed the difficulties were caused by burning phosphorus bombs that had ignited in the crash.

In addition to the report the following summation from the author: “Of the airmen I have researched his (Douglas Hay) period of service from enlisting, through training to being killed at an operational squadron in the UK is one of the shortest - less than a year from enlistment to death.”

Douglas had two brothers also serving at the time of his death, his brother James stationed in Eastern Canada and his brother Frank, who was also overseas, was given some time off to visit his brother’s grave. 

Pilot Officer Hay is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nantan, Alberta and is also remembered on the Veterans Memorial Plaque in the Pipestone Hall. 

The banner for Douglas Hay was sponsored by his nephew Frank Hay Jr.  

Francis Roy (Frank) Hay    Findlay    WWII       

Frank Hay was born to John and Sadie (McKay) Hay in 1914 on the family farm near Findlay, Manitoba. He was one of eight children. Frank’s maternal grandfather John McKay filed homestead rights in 1885 to which Frank’s father bought the farm in 1903 and it remains in the Hay family today. 

Frank grew up on the family farm before moving to Toronto to drive taxis and sell Christmas trees. It was there he joined the Scottish regiment in 1938. He was shipped to England where he trained overseas as a mechanic and trained other soldiers to drive half tracks, a motor vehicle that has wheels on the front and tank like tracks on the back. Frank’s brother Douglas was serving in the R.C.A.F.  as an Air Gunner on a Halifax bomber. On March 2, 1944, his plane crashed and seven of the eight men aboard were killed. Frank was given time off to visit his brother’s grave near Harrogate, England. Frank had another brother, James, also in the service in Eastern Canada. 

Frank met a young Irish lass working in the London factories. He married Margaret (Mickey) McDonagh from Galway, Ireland in 1941. They returned to Canada in 1945 and took over the family farm. 

Frank gradually developed a herd of fine purebred Hereford cattle, hence the name Hay’s Herefords. Frank and Mickey had 6 children, three sons (John, Patrick and Frank) and three daughters (Maureen, Onagh and Peggy).  After 48 years of farm life they retired to Reston, Manitoba.  Frank was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1998 and passed away on April 10, 2001 and Mickey shortly after in August 2001. They are buried in the Pipestone Cemetery. Their son Frank and his wife Brenda continue to farm the home farm. 

Even though Frank was a great story teller he never really spoke about the war. However he did share one story, he and Mickey were out walking when they heard planes above. They argued about whether they were allied or enemy planes until the bombs started hitting the ground and they hit the ground as well. They were not harmed but as Frank had to walk Mickey home after the bombing, he missed his bus back to camp and had to walk 20 miles arriving the next morning. His penalty for being late was peeling potatoes. 

The banner for Frank Hay is sponsored by his son Frank Hay Jr. and the Hay Family. 

Harris ‘Harry’ Chipman Hay   Findlay, MB   WWII

Harris "Harry" Chipman Hay was born on July 16, 1917 in Findlay, Manitoba to parents George and Ida (Brown). George settled in Findlay, MB from New Brunswick with his Mother, two brothers and a sister, where he raised his family.

Harry was the third youngest of 9 children, 5 girls and 4 boys. The family farmed on a one section, mixed, horse driven farm in Findlay.  During that time, Harry and his younger brother Ralph enlisted in the R.C.A, on May 13th, 1941. Harry was 23 years old.

Harry Hay was a Gunner and fully trained in field artillery in Brandon and Winnipeg and employed in normal gun detachment duties throughout his service. While Harry was enlisted in Artillery, his brother Ralph was an Engineer and they were soon separated after being deployed. Harry went overseas in March 1942, landing in England, where he was in active duty throughout Europe until his unit moved to Juno Beach, France in June 1944.

In 1943 Harry took shrapnel to the head and had a month’s stay in the hospital. He later returned to regular duties.

Harry Hay was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, the 1939/1945 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defense Medal, and the 1935-1941 War Medal.

Harry’s brother Ralph told the story of him and his unit, travelling endless days, when they heard Canadian artillery fire in the distance. As they neared the friendly fire, Ralph found his brother again after being separated for so long. Harry returned back home to Canada in October 1945 and was given his discharge certificate on December 16, 1945.

Harry moved back to Findlay to help his ailing father, later the family moving to Brandon, Manitoba.

Harry married Elizabeth Riendeau in 1956 and had three sons Kenneth, Alan and George. 

Harry passed away on May 25, 1987 at the age of 70 years old and is laid to rest in the Veterans cemetery in Brandon, MB.

The banner for Harry Hay was sponsored by his Grandchildren Chelsea Hay and Michael Hay. 

Donald Buckley Henderson 

Don Henderson was born on December 17, 1922 to John and Agnes Henderson, on the home farm.  He was the second oldest of 12 children.

On January 18, 1942 Donald joined the Canadian Army and served in the artillery as a gunner. In the summer of 1943 he was sent overseas where he served in Italy.

Donald fought in:

Battle of Ortona, Italy  December 20-27, 1943. 

Battle of Monte Cassino, Italy January 17 – May 18, 1944

In May 1944 a telegram to Canada stated Donald had undergone surgery at a field dressing station. He had been working with a crew on a large field gun when an enemy shell landed in their pit. Some of the crew were killed or injured. The explosion caused Donald to lose some of his clothes and one shoe. He spent the next few months in the Canadian army overseas hospital. In October 1944 a hospital ship brought him back to Canada. He received an honorable discharge on December 14, 1944. Due to shell shock, he spent the remainder of his life in hospitals and care homes under the Department of Veteran Affairs. 

On certain occasions his brother John would pick him up from a care home and bring him out to the farm for a short stay. 

Donald passed away July 21, 1996 at the age of 74. 

The banner for Donald Henderson was sponsored by the Henderson Family. 

John (Jack) Alexander Henderson  -  WWI

Jack Henderson was born March 17, 1887 to William and Isabella McDiarmid at Kinloss TWP, Bruce County, Ontario. (Lucknow) He left home at an early age and came to Manitoba in 1909. He worked on several farms in the Reston area. 

In June, 1916, John joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force (#922577) as a private with the 200th Battalion. His acceptance into the army was considered unlikely as he had his fingers and thumb missing from his right hand, the result of a sawmill accident at the age of 15. He kept his right hand in his pocket so it would not be noticed thus his enlistment was a success. 

Jack trained at Sewell Camp (known as Shilo) for one month and then came back to help with the harvest. He returned to Winnipeg for the winter training. He arrived in England on May 14, 1917 on the SS Megantic. On May 26, 1917 he arrived at an infantry training camp at Shorncliffe, Kent , England Upon arrival at the base most of the new battalions were absorbed into reserve battalions. (The 200th Battalion becomes the 107th Battalion – Winnipeg). John went to battle and served for 15 months in the trenches of France including the Battle of Ypres (also known as the Battle of Passchendaele)  July 31-November 15, 1917. For soldiers it was known as the “Battle of Mud”. Early August the area was saturated with the heaviest rain the region had seen in 30 years. It became a swamp with immobilized tanks and clogged up rifles, making soldier movement slow. The shell craters filled with water, fields became impassable. It is at this battle that the Germans made full use of the mustard gas as opposed to chlorine gas. He served in Belgium and he suffered with a muscle condition. In September 1918 he was classified as unfit for active duty, but was allowed to do base duty back to England. He received an honorable discharge in Winnipeg on January 21, 1919. His medals are preserved in a shadow box in the Reston Memorial Theater. 

Upon his return, Jack married Agnes Buckley (they were previously engaged prior to enlistment) on January 29, 1919 in Redvers, Saskatchewan. Twelve children were born to Jack and Agnus between 1920 – 1936. Many hardships were faced through the years. They rented land south of Reston and eventually purchased farmland in the R.M. of Albert through the soldier’s settlement board. It soon became a mixed farm where their son, John (4th oldest) worked along with him. 

In the mid ‘70’s Agnes moved to the Alstone Lodge in Reston and later moved to Melita where Jack was residing in the Personal Care Home for four years. He passed away in April 1981 at the age of 95. 

The banner for Jack Alexander Henderson was sponsored by the Henderson Family. 

Albert Henuset    Pipestone, MB   WWII

Albert Henuset was born July 3, 1922 to Octave and Rose Henuset. He grew up with his one sister and three brothers on the family farm near Pipestone and attended the Belleview one room schoolhouse.  

Albert enlisted in the RCAF in 1941 and served overseas as a tail-gunner with the 415 Squadron on Lancaster bombers. He was stationed in England on the Eastmoor and Honeybourne Air bases. Albert received the rank of Captain. He earned five service medals: Canadian Volunteer Medal, WWII Star, WWII War Medal, Defence Medal and France and Germany Star. However, Albert was most proud of his ‘Operational Wings’. 

After the war Albert returned to Canada to finish his high school diploma in Victoria, B.C. There he met his wife, Dora, in summer school at Victoria College. Albert then completed his BSC in Physics at UBC with his veteran’s benefits. The young couple ventured out to the oil patch on the prairies to be entrepreneurs and in 1963 founded Top-Co Industries which they owned and operated until its sale in 2006. 

Albert passed away on November 5, 2011 in Victoria, B.C. and he rests in the Grand Clairiere Cemetery. 

The information for Albert Henuset was provided by his daughter Kate Phoenix and his banner sponsored by ‘Albert’s Proud Family’.

Private Ernest William Horner      Reston, MB   WWII

Ernest Horner was the eldest son of William and Eva (Greenlay) Horner.  He was born at Reston on April 5, 1919 and grew up with his parents and four younger siblings.  A bit of an ominous foreshadow, he was named after his mother’s younger brother Ernest Greenlay who had died in WW1. The Horner family farmed their own quarter south of Reston and they also worked as hired help for others.  He would have attended to rural schools - perhaps Kinloss, Dublin or Huston.  The dry years of the 1930’s took their toll and the family moved to Winnipeg in 1941 after operating an egg grading station in Reston for a few years.  In July of 1940 at age 21, Ernest enlisted in WWII as a Cameron Highlander assigned number 20512.  Later that year he went overseas never to return. 

Ernest spent a total of 789 days in service to his country according to his file.  The Dieppe Raid on August 19 of 1942 was also known as Operation Jubilee. Fewer than half of the Canadians who left for Dieppe made it back to England.  Over 900 men were killed and twice that were taken prisoner in nine hours of carnage.   Although the raid was an utter failure, it has been said important lessons were learned that helped with D-Day and other amphibious attacks later in the war.  Ernest paid the ultimate price and his war was over that August day.

Ernest William Horner was reported as missing in the August 27 edition of the Reston Recorder but it was not until November 12 that his death was confirmed and announced.  What a harrowing time that would be for the family as they believed he was taken as Prisoner of War but it was later determined he died of wounds in Rouen Military Hospital in France on September 13, 1942.  Twenty-three year old Ernest was buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension at Seine Maritime France.  His name was added to the Canadian Book of Remembrance on page 82 and is on display yearly every February 22 at the Peace Tower in Ottawa. 

A letter from his mother Eva in his service file requests a picture of his grave or perhaps even a trip to see it.  It is unknown if either of these ever happened before she passed away in 1961. 

Ernest is remembered by the proud sponsors of his veteran banner, the Reston Graduating Class of 2023. 

James Jago Jr.       Sinclair     WWII

James (Jim) Jago was the son of Jim and Rose Jago. He was born on December 19, 1921. Jim was educated at Stonehill school.

Jim enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces at Winnipeg, Manitoba on January 16, 1943, and served until 1946.  He took his training in Ontario which included the testing of tank tracks before being shipped to Great Britain. He completed his basic training on March 3, 1944. Jim was recognized for his ability as a marksman and was awarded the Cross Guns Insignia. When serving in Great Britain Jim would watch the bombs fall around him, even destroying part of the barracks he slept in. 

After returning from war Jim lived at the home of his Uncle Jack Mare until he bought his own farm in 1947. He acquired additional land through the years and was a very dedicated and proud farmer. He also raised cattle, pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese. Jim semi-retired in 1976 but remained living on the farm with Shirley Wood, his companion of 40 years and continued to work his ¼ section. 

Jim was an outdoors person who enjoyed deer hunting and shooting ducks. Although he was a quiet man, he had a good sense of humor and was a good friend and neighbor. Jim’s interest in later years was attending the Auction Mart sales in Virden on Saturdays with Shirley and completing the day at Chicken Chef. 

Jim had a black and white border collie dog during his last years on the farm which spent many hours with him. Jim had him trained to bring his slippers, play frisbee and retrieve a pail. 

Jim died unexpectedly on February 5, 1999 in Brandon hospital at the age of 77. He is buried in the Sinclair Cemetery. 

Jim was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Sinclair and acted in the role of President for many years. 

The banner for Jim Jago was sponsored by the Jago Families.

William Henry (Bill) Jago was born October 11th, 1918, the third child of a family with ten siblings. After finishing grade school which was during the “Dirty Thirties” he helped out at home and hired out to neighboring farmers.  

In October of 1938, he went to Winnipeg for 30 days of basic training and then was sent home to wait.  In April of 1939 he got the call to go to war. He enlisted in Winnipeg and spent six weeks in the Ordinance Corp. and then was sent on to Kingston, Ontario to train in motor mechanics.  He then boarded a train to Debert, Nova Scotia and shipped overseas on a boat called the “Empress of Asia”.  The trip was very unpleasant with only hammocks to sleep in and it only just managed to out maneuver the German U-Boats on the 4 day crossing.

They docked at Liverpool, England where they spent the winter. In the spring he was sent to Charlwood where he met and then married his wife Joan. Shortly after the marriage he was injured repairing a Bren gun carrier and spent 13 weeks in a military hospital. 

Following his recovery, he was sent to Italy, to the South of France, to Belgium and finally to Apeldoorn in Holland.  He was stationed in Apeldoorn when the war ended.

He was given the task to research and compile a list of which soldiers had been overseas the longest so that they could be repatriated first.  At last it was his turn to return home and he boarded the “Aquitania” for passage back to Canada.  He left the army with the rank of Sergeant.

Six months later a ship loaded with English war brides brought Joan to Canada and they began their future life together. With the help of the Department of Veterans Affairs he purchased a section of prairie land and began his career as a grain and cattle farmer. They raised two daughters and remained on the farm they named “Prairie Dawn” until Joan passed away in May of 1979. The land was sold and Bill moved into Reston. He went on several bus trips with friends and made a trip back to England to research his family roots.  

At a church function he met a lady friend and after a year of companionship he married Ruth in 1986.  They lived on an acreage near Virden and he became very active in the local Legion, St. Mary’s Anglican Church and the Drop Inn Center.  He remained in excellent health until 2008 and then he required the help given in a care home. He passed away very peacefully in July of 2009 at the age of 91 and Bill is buried in the Reston Cemetery. 

The banner for Bill Jago was sponsored by his daughters Sheila Perreault and Valerie Charles. 

Bent Jensen was born in 1933 in Vorbasse, Denmark.  He enlisted in the Danish Army in 1952 at the age of 19.  He served from 1952-1955.  

Bent immigrated to Canada in 1958.  He came to Canada with his two brothers and worked on a farm just south of Pipestone in the Belses area. This is where he met Joyce Marsh and they were married in November 1960.  

Bent managed a feedlot near Russell, Manitoba before returning to the Marsh farm near Pipestone in 1967.  In 1972 he moved into Pipestone where they lived for almost 40 years during which time Bent worked for the department of highways. 

Bent and Joyce had two children, Clint and Tina.  Clint and his wife Darcia along with their two children Ashleigh and Tanner (wife Cassidy) and grandson (Brooks) live in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tina and her husband Gord Olson, along with their three children Logan, Taylor and Mackenzie (husband Christian) and their two grand daughters (Avaree and Sydnee) live in Winnipeg, Manitoba.    

Bent & Joyce are buried in Pipestone Cemetery. 

Maurice Henry Johnson 1919-1991    WWII

Our Veteran Banner Committee was searching for a soldier to honour who had taken part in the liberation in Holland at the request of the sponsors. A letter home printed in the Reston Recorder gave us what we were seeking.  Maurice Johnson wrote the following to Mrs Chambers and the Ewart community in 1945.

May 21, 1945

Dear Mrs. Chambers:

Well here goes for a very unexpected letter thanking you for the swell parcel I received last night. And believe me it came in handy as there isn’t much food in Holland now. So far we have been moving around considerably so have not got a canteen but should have one very soon.

Well, Mrs. Chambers, I hardly know what to say so I’ll try to tell you a bit about this country. It really is a pretty country, Holland, with its windmills and very many canals (which by the way aren’t so very pretty to wade through in action), the homes are very nice and always practically spotless. They are very hard-working people, also very friendly and try to help us in every way it is possible in return for food and cigarettes, which are not too plentiful as we have just left Emoena in Germany and could not get anything there. On the whole it is rather pretty, much like England.

Well I guess that is about all I can think of for this time. We had a big parade for “V-E” Day in The Hague today. It was one of the largest I have been on and it turned out very well except that it rained. The streets were crowded with cheering people and Gen. Crerar took the Salute.

Well I guess I better close now. I hope to soon be back in Ewart. It shouldn’t be long now so thanking you once more for the swell parcel, I remain

Yours truly,

Maurice Johnson

A bit of detective work using Trails Along the Pipestone history book from 1981 along with Volume 5 of the Military Service Book turned up the rest of the story. 

Maurice Henry Johnson was born on September 24, 1919 in Bishopton, Durham, England and came to Southwest Manitoba to 2-8-29 as a child in 1927 with his parents. He attended Bardal School and farmed with his family. He married a local girl, Violet Ann Amelia Zarn and decided to enlist in the Army in WW2. Maurice was a Gunner in France and Belgium with the Winnipeg Rifles Third Division under General Mountbatten. His time in Holland is partly documented in his letter and we can imagine him wading through the canals and appreciating the warm welcome they received from the Dutch people.  After leaving Holland, Maurice returned to Violet and their baby daughter Marlene who had been living with her parents.  They were able to acquire land through the Veterans Land Act and farmed on 7-8-28 near his friends at Ewart until 1955. Maurice, Violet, Marlene and their youngest, Larry moved to Brandon where Maurice drove for General Bakeries and later took a administrative position at CFB Shilo. They retired to Virden where Maurice died on February 21, 1991 and Violet in 2002. They rest in Rosewood Memorial Gardens outside Brandon.  Thanks to the Recorder archives for preserving his place in history. 

The banner for Maurice Johnson was sponsored by Van Buuren Stock Farm of Pipestone. 

Albert (Bert) Kyle Kennedy was born on June 18th, 1891 in Virden Manitoba to Archibald and Tryphena Kennedy; he was the fourth of eleven children and one of four brothers from Pipestone Manitoba who joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force that served overseas in World War I. Two of his brothers died in the war – George in September 1916 and William in November 1917.

Bert was employed as a mechanic when he signed his attestation papers in Winnipeg MB on January 9th, 1917. Following his training in Canada, he deployed to England in April 1917 upon assignment to the Canadian Army Service Corps Regimental Depot. He was subsequently attached to the Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC), 12th Company in September 2017. He spent the first four months in England, based with the Regiment, located near Smith Lawn, Sunningdale, Berkshire (amidst the Windsor Great Park).

The CFC was a critical element of Canada’s contribution to the war effort, specifically requested of the British Secretary of State for War to Canada’s Governor General in 1916. This unit stood up to address the need to source and produce timber from the UK and France due to the growing maritime threat andcapacity challenges in shipping wood from overseas. Just under half of the 33,000 personnel who contributed to the CFC’s efforts were “attached” to the Corps, as it was with Sergeant Kennedy. The CFC logged timber, milled wood and constructed buildings, railroads, trenches, huts, and airfields (including hangars). Integral to this effort was the transport of the timber, preparation of the grounds for construction and operation/maintenance of the equipment. Bert’s focus was in support of aerodrome construction for the Royal Air Force (RAF), beginning in England. This included building hangars at various locations in the South. This company specialized in aerodromes and became known at times as the “Flying Corps Company.” In just over a year after he enlisted, he was promoted to Acting Sergeant (and not long after, confirmed in that rank) – a testament to his leadership skills.

In June of 1918, his company deployed to France near Vezilise to continue construction of airfields in support of the RAF and Independent Forces.

Sergeant Kennedy would have been leading a team of Canadian soldiers, and highly likely German prisoners of war, as alluded to in the unit’s war diaries. It is reported that the entire Corps volunteered to join the combatant forces

at the front as infantry in the final push.

Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his contribution to the war effort, Sergeant Kennedy returned to Canada following the armistice and received an honourable discharge in August 1919. Like others who returned from “the Great War,” he shared little of his experiences. He was however immensely proud of his service, as reflected in a photo of him in his uniform seated smartly on his motorcycle.

Sgt. Kennedy returned to work as a mechanic. He married Lila Skelding in 1920, in Pipestone, and then moved to work in Regina. Together they had five children - three daughters and two sons. They moved to Vancouver in the last half of the 1930s prior to WWII where he continued to work as a mechanic. In September 1940, he re-enlisted in the service in Victoria BC; he served as a Sergeant at Camp Vernon until demobilized in January 1944. His specific role is unclear, but the family believes he was an instructor at the camp since it was a primary training ground for the Canadian Army. His two sons also served in WWII – Glenn in the Royal Canadian Navy and Jack in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Bert was a gentle soul and very much a family-oriented person. He remained in the Vancouver area until his passing at the age of seventy-five on May 27, 1967.

Albert K. Kennedy’s family is proud to sponsor this banner in his honour.

Archie Edward Kennedy and his identical twin Scott were born on September 7, 1895 in Adeline, Illinois. In the early 1900’s the family moved to Pipestone, Manitoba. After high school completion, the twins tossed a coin to see which brother would work and pay the cost his brother’s university fees. Archie won the toss and would attend the University of Manitoba Medical school. Archie’s class was in their fourth year (1917) when the entire class was drafted into the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corp. Archie was stationed in France where he performed the duties of a fully qualified medical doctor. He returned to Canada in 1919.

After completing his final year of medical school, Archie married Helen Holtby and set up a practice in Stettler, Alberta. It should be noted that Dr. Kennedy and his partner set up for their patients one of the first, very affordable, health care plans in Canada.

With the onset of WWII Archie reenlisted with the RCA and was stationed in Curry Barracks in Calgary as the chief medical officer. When his health began to fail Lieutenant-Colonel Kennedy was honourably discharged in June 1944. 

Archie passed away in 1946. In his final hours a semi-conscious Archie began talking to his twin Scott who had been killed in the battle of Passchendaele.

Of interest Archie also had two other brothers with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in WWI, George who was killed on the Somme in France and Albert who also served in WWII.

Biography submitted and banner sponsored by Neil Kennedy Pinder (grandson of Archie).

Private George Kennedy was one of four brothers from Pipestone who joined the Canadian Expeditionary Forces and went overseas in World War I. 

George was born January 12, 1888 in Sterling, Ontario. He was the third eldest of a family of eleven children born to Archibald and Tryphena Kennedy. His parents, from the Stirling district, moved to the Virden area where two more children were born then moved to Adeline, Illinois adding to their family before returning to Pipestone to settle. 

George was employed as a locomotive fireman when he signed his attestation papers in Regina, Saskatchewan on April 13, 1915. He was 24 years old and listed his mother, Mrs. Archie Kennedy of Pipestone his next of kin. George was part of the 46th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, headquartered in Moose Jaw.  He embarked Halifax on October 23, 1915 arriving at Davenport, England on October 30th

The 46th Battalion fought in France and Flanders on the Western Front with the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division until disbanded in August 1920. The unit came to be known as “The Suicide Battalion.” The 46th lost 1,433 killed and 3,484 wounded – a casualty rate of 91.5 percent in 27 months. 

 Private George Kennedy sailed to France on June 22, 1916. He took part in the Somme offensive. It was a horrific battle that saw the first employment of tanks but the incredible cost in human life remains controversial. George was one of the thousands of casualties; he was killed on September 3 little more than two months after arriving in France. At the time of his death he was listed as part of the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry 1st Central Ontario Regiment. 

George Kennedy is buried in Courcelette British Cemetery on the Somme just outside the tiny village of Courcelette. For a prairie boy the cemetery is located in the middle of open fields of grain with beautiful sunsets just like home. There are 1,970 commonwealth servicemen buried there, 1,180 of them unidentified. The inscription his mother chose for the headstone she would never see was ‘He is not dead but just asleep.’ George’s name is inscribed on the veteran’s memorial plaque hanging in the Pipestone Hall. 

Archibald and Tryphena Kennedy of Pipestone were to lose two sons, George and his younger brother William Scott Kennedy buried in Belgium.  Scott’s twin brother Archie was a doctor in both World Wars and would go on to practice medicine in Stettler, Alberta. Their other son Albert returned home and eventually moved to British Columbia. Albert’s son Glenn Scott Kennedy was in the Royal Canadian Navy in WWII. 

The banner for George Kennedy was sponsored by Graham and Kim MacKenzie of Pipestone. Graham is the Great Nephew of George. 

Glenn Scott Kennedy    Tacoma, Washington     WWII

Glenn Kennedy was born November 1, 1921 in Regina, Saskatchewan to Lila (Skelding) and Albert Kennedy both of Pipestone.  Glenn was the eldest of five children all born in Regina. Sometime in the late 1930’s prior to WWII the Bert Kennedy family moved to Vancouver. Although Glenn now lived far away, some of his fondest memories of his childhood were the times spent with both his paternal and maternal grandparents as well as extended family in Pipestone. He laughed about running between Grandma Skelding’s house and Grandma Kennedy’s for cookies.  Glenn called Pipestone, ‘God’s Country’, and continued to visit here well into his ninety’s. He always made a special trip to the cemetery to visit his family there and on one of his last visits in 2014, he really wanted his photo taken in front of the cenotaph and the memorial tablet that hangs in the Pipestone Community Center. Glenn’s father Bert and his three brothers all served in WWI. Two of his uncles did not return, George and William Scott who Glenn was named after. 

Even though Glenn was a prairie boy at heart he had always wanted to join the navy ever since he saw the older boy across the street come home in uniform. Glenn thought he looked wonderful, so with the outbreak of WWII he got his chance. On September 16, 1940, just short of his 19th birthday, Glenn signed up by mail through Ottawa with the Royal Canadian Navy. On the train trips from Vancouver to Halifax Glenn would always stop for a visit in Pipestone. Glenn was a great story teller but didn’t really share much of his navy time other than the funny stories. One of his favorite was on his first ship, the young sailors were all lined up for inspection and they were asked if anyone liked to drive as they were looking for a volunteer. Glenn couldn’t believe his luck as next to being in the navy, driving a car was his most favorite thing to do. He eagerly stepped forward and was assigned his new duty to “drive” the wheelbarrows of coal in the hold of the ship. That was the last time he volunteered for anything. In true Navy fashion, Glenn had both forearms tattooed while in service which was always a source for conversation amongst the youngest relatives. There is a great photo of Glenn and his sailor friends in Piccadilly Square in London. Glenn served on six different ships in his seven years in service mainly convoy escorts, The HMS Ramillies, HMS Newark, HMS Fowey, HMCS Athabaska, HMCS Huntsville and the HMCS Uganda. 

During a phone call May 8, 2020 on the 75th anniversary of VE Day we asked where he was on May 8, 1945. Glenn replied they were somewhere in the North Atlantic and shortly after they were notified that the Nazi’s had surrendered a German submarine surfaced right beside them and surrendered to them. His ship escorted the German vessel to Philadelphia.  We asked if the war was then over for him and he said, “Heck no, we still had the Japanese to deal with.” Glenn spent his final year of service on a tour around South America. He stayed in touch with his best mates and in later years attended annual Chief Petty Officer reunions all over Canada.

At the age of 21 there is no doubt the dashing young Canadian sailor would have been a catch. In July 1943 in Leicestershire, England he made Doris Hall his war bride. Glenn left the navy in 1946 and started married life in Vancouver and then moved to Tacoma, Washington in1952. Glenn and Doris divorced and he married Irene Wittman. Irene always commented she spent her honeymoon in Pipestone. Glenn worked until retirement at a meat packing plant in Tacoma. All this while however his favorite holiday spot remained Pipestone, usually arriving in a new car each visit and where the next generation of cousins grew to love him as well. Glenn became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1973 but remained a true Canadian at heart. In 2019 he was thrilled to know his Pipestone family was visiting the Commonwealth gravesite of his namesake William Scott Kennedy in Belgium and couldn’t wait for the photos. Glenn passed away just a few months short of his 99th birthday on July 21, 2020 in Arlington, Washington and had requested his ashes be sent to Pipestone. 

Glenn would have been thrilled to know that all his family veterans were honored on banners hanging in Pipestone, his father Albert, Uncles George, Scott and Archie, his cousin Evelyn Mitchell Mayberry and the MacKenzie connections Charles MacKenzie and David Cowie. He also would have known many of the others. ‘Uncle’ Glenn’s Manitoba family thought it only fitting that he join the veterans honored along Main Street Pipestone, in the town and country he loved so much. 

The banner for Glenn Scott Kennedy was sponsored by the MacKenzie Family. 

Scott Kennedy and his twin brother Archie were born on September 7, 1895 in Adeline, Illinois. They were the sons of Archibald and Tryphena Kennedy, two children in a family of eleven. The family moved to Pipestone sometime after 1903. 

On November 12, 1915 at the age of twenty, Scott enlisted at Winnipeg, Manitoba with the 78th Battalion of the Winnipeg Grenadiers as did many other local boys. He listed his occupation at the time as clerk. 

The 78th Battalion embarked for Great Britain from Halifax May 20, 1916 arriving in Liverpool 10 days later. They were then shipped to France arriving at Le Havre on August 13th.  They fought as part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the armistice.

Scott was part of the first assault on Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917. He fought alongside Lance Corporal David Cowie also of Pipestone who was killed during this initial assault. A letter Scott wrote on April 17th to David’s sister, Agnes Cowie MacKenzie of Pipestone describes her brother’s bravery in battle. The letter is still in possession of the MacKenzie family. The two young men must have signed up at the same time in Winnipeg as their attestation numbers are only 3 numbers apart. 

During the battle of Passchendaele on October 31st, Scott was wounded. The report reads as such, Died of Wounds: While acting as a runner he was going from Battalion Headquarters to the transport lines and he had only left Battalion Headquarters and proceeded about 100 yards when a shell burst close by, severely wounding him in the chest, right arm and hip. He was evacuated to No.44 Casualty Clearing Station where he succumbed, November 3, 1917.  

Private William Scott Kennedy is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery near Poperigne, Belgium in West Flanders. The inscription his mother chose for his headstone she would never see reads, “He is not dead he is just away.” Scott’s name is inscribed on the veterans memorial plaque hanging in the Pipestone Hall. 

Of interest Scott was one of four Kennedy brothers in World War I. Scott’s twin Archie was a doctor in both WWI and WWII, an older brother George was killed on the Somme in 1916 and is buried in Courcelette British Cemetery. Another brother Albert was a mechanic who came home and named one of his sons Glenn Scott Kennedy after his brother Scott. Glenn who loved to visit his family in Pipestone was in the Royal Canadian Navy in WWII. 

Finally, Scott Kennedy and David Cowie who left Pipestone together to enlist in 1915 and were together at Vimy Ridge would never know that Scott’s niece, Gertrude Mitchell and David’s nephew, Alex MacKenzie would someday marry and his letter would become a treasured family heirloom. 

The banner for Scott Kennedy was sponsored by Graham and Kim MacKenzie of Pipestone. Graham is the Great Nephew of Scott.

Orville Klusendorf

Orville Henry Klusendorf was born June 15,1924  to Henry Raymond “Hank” and Meta Alberta (McConnell) Klusendorf.  He had a twin brother Oliver and also in the family there was an older brother Edward and a younger sister Helen. Hank had moved north from the USA in 1920 and married Meta in Antler, SK.  The family farmed south of Reston until about 1930 when they moved to Reston where Hank became known as a wallpaper hanger and painter.  It was an advantage in this career that he was a tall man. 

When Orville turned 18 in 1942, he followed older brother Eddie and enlisted in WW2. It must have been a tricky thing  with the German name of Klusendorf but he was always up for a bit of fun.  Records of his regiment and places of service are not available and he didn’t talk about his time in the war with his family.  Orville was in Holland at the end of the war and may have been a radio operator at the front. At one point, he stayed with a local family and told of an exciting story when a lady he was staying with went into labour and he had to ride a bicycle to summon a doctor.

The Reston Recorder newspaper archives note that Orville returned to Canada aboard the Queen Elizabeth Liner in January of 1946 along with 15,000 other soldiers including Winston Churchill. 

When he returned to Reston, he was welcomed back to Munro’s Store where he had been missed, according to the Recorder.  It was there he got to know another clerk and twin herself, Eileen (Ike) Johnston and after dating for a time they were married in 1951. 

“Klusey” as he was known, went to Winnipeg and took a course to learn welding and he used these skills back home at Reston Motors with Armstrong & Cuthill and the blacksmith shop with Jack Cronk. He was active in many sports including hockey, golf and curling.  He also coached hockey for a time. He was an avid Legion member who loved to get together with his buddies and never missed a Remembrance Day Service.  

Ike and Orville had two children, Garry and Nadine and lived and worked in various places in Manitoba.  He had a wealth of skills and was not afraid to pick up and move to something and somewhere new.  He used the carpentry and painting skills that he learned working with his Dad.

Orville died on Boxing Day in 2006 and was laid to rest at Reston Cemetery.  His veteran banner is sponsored by his wife Ike and family. 

*** 

Reston Recorder May 10, 1945 edition printed a letter home written by Orville while stationed in Holland.  

Hello mother dad and all the rest

I suppose you think this poem queer

Although I’m doing my very best

To occupy my time well over here

The news is sounding very well

Monty’s troops are over the Rhine

And Paton’s too is going quite well

And Stalin also is doing fine

I’m thinking this over very clear

I hope to be home pretty soon

Cause Victory I’m told is very near

So maybe I’ll make it there by June

Here I wish to close my rhyme

But first of all to you I’ll say

That I’m feeling well and doing fine

In fact everything is really OK

Fred Kruger was born in Ruth, Manitoba (now known as Bede) on September 5, 1920. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1940. After training as a pilot he was transferred overseas where he served from 1941 to 1944 as a bomber pilot. While serving in England, he married Joan Link of London. During two tours of operations against the enemy, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross which he received from King George VI. Following the Second World War, S/L Kruger remained in the RCAF as an instructor pilot from 1948 to 1949; officer commanding in an auxiliary support unit in Training Command and Air Defense Command 1949 to 1953; RCAF liaison officer at Strategic Air Command, Omaha, Nebraska and deputy commanding officer of 432 Fighter Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec 1957-1960. He worked for the NORAD Sector from 1960 to 1963, in Moses Lake, WA. He became the Chief Administrative Officer, Moose Jaw, SK 1963 to 1967, when he retired from RCAF after 27 years of dedicated service. He continued working for the Federal Government in various positions, finally retiring from the Correctional Service of Canada, in Abbotsford in 1985. 

Fred passed away on November 26, 2007. He and Joan were married for 64 years and they had five children, Gary (Gail), Marnie (Mike), Sandi (George), Curt (Brenda), and Carole (Nolan). They had 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. 

The banner for Fred Kruger was sponsored by the Kruger Family and the Wilkins Family. His niece, Donna Wilkins of Reston (daughter of Fred’s sister Min Rollins) provided his biography. 

Keith Lawrence was born on October 11, 1923 in Pipestone, Manitoba to Katie and Charlie Lawrence.  He was raised on the family farm near Pipestone and was the seventh of ten children. He attended school in Pipestone from grades one to eleven. He played hockey, baseball and curled. 

Keith signed up for the army during the Second World War at the age of 17. He enlisted on November 17, 1941 at the Brandon Armories. Keith saw combat in Europe from 1941 – 1945. He served in the United Kingdom, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany and the Liberation of Holland. Keith received the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star. 

The Liberation of Holland was a very special memory for Keith and one he was very proud of. 

Keith worked with Manitoba Hydro, Coca Cola and Benson & Hedges. He passed away on January 24, 2015. Keith only has one Lawrence family connection left in the RM of Pipestone and that is his niece who lives in Reston, Cathy Williamson (daughter of his sister Joyce). Keith’s parents and two brothers are buried in the Pipestone Cemetery. 

The banner for Keith Lawrence was sponsored by The Lawrence Family. 

George Herbert Ledingham     Pipestone   WWI

George Herbert Ledingham was born on 17 February 1887 in Aberdeen, Scotland. He was the son of Alexander Ledingham and Barbara Elizabeth Ledingham (nee Paulin). One of his brothers Willam Alexander Ledingham also joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force, specifically the 17th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. William survived the war. 

Before enlisting, Ledingham was a teamster. He enlisted on 15 November 1915 in Winnipeg, first joining the 179th Battalion. His unit left the Port of Halifax aboard SS Saxonia on 3 October 1916 and arrived in Liverpool, England about 10 days later. Shortly thereafter, the 179th Battalion was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion, which at the time served to make up for the losses of a number of Canadian units fighting in France. This is how, on 13 November 1916, Private Ledingham joined the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada), with which he served until he died. In October 1917 Private Ledingham was awarded the good conduct badge; he was promoted to the rank of lance corporal on 2 September 1918 and then to corporal two weeks later. 

In late September 1918, the Canadian Corps was in the thick of the fighting to take Cambrai, a major enemy transportation hub in northern France. Standing in their way was the strong German position on the Canal de L’Escaut, positions which could not be flanked. On 30 September, the 3rd and 4th Canadian divisions attacked northeast of Cambrai with the aim of taking the bridgeheads at Ramillies and Eswars. When these operations failed to take their objectives, a new assault involving all four Canadian divisions was planned for the next day. 

The attack, which started a 0500 on 1 October, had strong artillery support. Part of the 3rd Canadian Division, the 9th Infantry Brigade, which included the 43rd Battalion, was tasked with capturing the heights east of the village of Tilloy, a crucial observation position. The advance was to then continue to take the bridgeheads at Ramillies and Aire. The 43rd and 52nd Canadian Infantry Battalions successfully completed the first phase of the operation, but fierce enemy machine gun and sniper fire from the other side of the Canal resulted in a very difficult and chaotic descent to the canal. Although the second phase was not complete on 1 October, during the day the 9th Brigade managed to defend and consolidate the high ground that had been captured east of Tilloy. According to the Circumstances of Death registers, Corporal Ledingham was killed by a bullet to the head at around noon on 1 October 1918, southwest of Ramillies, France. 

After the battle was over, many Canadian casualties in the area were identified and buried in Canada Cemetery, Tilloy-lez-Cambrai, northwest of Cambrai. Among them was an unknown corporal with the 43rd Battalion. This partial identification was probably made possible by the rank and unit badges found on the uniform. 

After the war, the name of Corporal Ledingham was engraved on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, erected in the memory of Canadian soldiers who were killed in France in the First World War and who have no known grave. 

In May 2019, the Directorate of History and Heritage received a report from the Commonwealth Graves Commission detailing the potential identification of Grave 32, Row C, Plot 2 in the Canadian Cemetery, Tilloy-lez-Cambrai. The Commonwealth War Graves Commision had received a report from independent researchers raising the possibility that this grave was that of Corporal George Herbert Ledingham. Extensive research undertaken by both the CWGC and the DHH concluded that this grave could only be that of Corporal George Herbert Ledhingham. No other candidate matched the details of the partial identification. Historical research was conducted using numerous archival sources, including War Diaries, Service Records, Casualty Records and grave Exhumation and Concentration reports. 

In November 2019, the Casualty Identification Program’s Review Board confirmed the identification of Corporal George Herbert Ledingham of the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion. 

A headstone rededication ceremony was held on 17 November 2022 in France at the Canada Cemetery, Tilloy-lex-Cambri managed by CWGC. Representatives from the Canadian Armed Forces attended the ceremony. 

It took 103 years for the family of George Herbert Ledingham to learn of his final resting place. Representative of Ledingham’s own battalion the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Winnipeg travelled to Almonte, Ontario to notify his surviving next of kin, great nephews Wayne and Edgar McKay and great niece Polly Ferdinand. A service was held at the Almonte Legion on November 14, 2021. Great Nephew Wayne McKay had researched his Uncle for 30 years before he got closure. 

Taken from the Ottawa Citizen, November 2021:

Cpl. George Ledingham was killed in action during the Hundred Days campaign, the final decisive offensive of WWI. Ledingham. 31, died during battle for the high ground on a day of fierce fighting when the 1st Canadian Division suffered more than 1000 casualties. His remains were never identified and he was officially listed as missing in action. 

In May 2019, an official with the graves commission indicated research suggested Ledingham was the unnamed solider buried in Canada Cemetery, in Tilloy-lez-Cambrai. His grave was marked with a headstone that said, ”Corporal of the Great War, 43rd Battalion.”  Researchers concluded Ledingham was the only unidentified Canadian Corporal killed in that area at that time. “It was basically through process of elimination that they identified him,” said his great nephew Wayne McKay, whose family boasts a long military history. His father, grandfather, brother, uncle and great uncles all served in the Canadian Forces. 

Note: When researching the veterans on the memorial plaque in Pipestone, Kim MacKenzie came across articles about a Winnipeg soldier finally identified after 103 years. The service numbers matched G. Ledingham whose name is inscribed on the plaque in the Pipestone Community Hall. Upon contacting Wayne McKay the family was unaware their uncle had been remembered along with the other soldiers lost from this area. They could not give any answer as to why his name was included but when Wayne was told about the banner project underway to honor those who served from our area he was more than willing to have his Great Uncle George Ledingham’s banner proudly hang in this small town. George had some connection to Pipestone as the community included his name with others who sacrificed their all. 

 So from being one of the soldiers with no known grave remembered on the Vimy monument in France, who has his name on the war memorial in Ballater, Scotland, to after 103 years having his actual resting place identified and whose story was broadcast on CTV National news, George Ledingham, a Winnipeg soldier with obvious but unknown connections to Pipestone, will now also be remembered on a veteran memorial banner here on the prairies. 

George Ledingham listed his trade as a teamster, which in those days meant he drove a wagon using a team of horses perhaps there is a clue somewhere as to George’s connection to Pipestone and perhaps we will never know.

The banner for George Ledingham was sponsored by the McKay family of Almonte, Ontario. 

• Thank-you to the Commonwealth Graves Commission for their continuing work to identify war dead. Over 150 recoveries are made each year.  Battlegrounds were chaotic places, thousands of bodies went missing and were never recovered. Some recovered were only partially identified by the clues on their uniform giving the basic information as in the case of Corporal George Herbert Ledingham. 

Michael Leganchuk       Pipestone   WWII

Michael Leganchuk was born October 29, 1918 at Rackham, Manitoba. He received his education in the Ozerna District near Erickson. 

Michael Leganchuk was a veteran of WWII from 1941-1945. His family knows he enlisted in Portage la Prairie and was discharged at Winnipeg Depot District 10. He remained in service in Canada throughout the war, never being sent overseas.  

In June 1947, he married Lena Marcino also from the Erickson district. They farmed near Basswood until 1956 when they moved to Kennedy, Saskatchewan were they went into partnership with his sister and brother-in-law in the hotel business. In January of 1961 Mike and Lena purchased the Pipestone Hotel . Pipestone was to be their lasting home. They brought three children with them to the community, Curtis, Sharon and Calvin, daughter Linda born after their move. The Leganchuks were good community members and the hotel with bar and restaurant was always a friendly place to stop and a great place to eat. They made a significant change to the hotel in their years in Pipestone as early in their tenure they had to top floor of the three story building removed. 

After 16 years in the hospitality industry, Mike and Lena sold the hotel that had also been their residence and purchased a home in Pipestone. In semi-retirement Mike kept busy doing carpentry and metal fabricating jobs. 

Michael Leganchuk passed away July 11, 1985 and is buried in Grande Clairiere Cemetery. 

The banner for Michael Leganchuk was sponsored by The Leganchuk Family.

Robert Inglis Lothian   Pipestone, MB   WWI

Robert Inglis ‘Bob’ Lothian was born to William and Annie Isabella (Milliken) Lothian on January 12, 1889 in Pipestone, Manitoba.  Bob had three older siblings, Norman, Catherine and John. He grew up on the family farm 20-7-26 which went by the name Hawarden. The family were very prominent in the social, educational and religious life of the community.  In 1914 Robert’s parents retired to Victoria, British Columbia. 

Bob attended Manitoba College, graduating in 1907 with an electrical engineering degree. He played on the Manitoba College champion football team for several successive seasons. He was a trained musician and a first class soloist with a fine tenor voice.  Prior to serving Bob was employed with the Canada Westing House Electrical Company in Fort William, Ontario. 

On December 15, 1915 Bob enlisted in the Canadian Army at Shorncliffe, England and was assigned to the 8th Field Company, Canadian Engineers. In his last letter written home, April 2,1916, he wrote he had just completed a course laying mines and barb wired entanglements. On April 4th shortly after arriving in the trenches Bob was killed. He is buried in Menin Road South Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Bob was the first soldier from Pipestone to be killed in World War I, he was 27 years old. 

Robert Inglis Lothian is also remembered on a memorial tablet by the Engineers Alumni Association of the University of Manitoba located in the atrium of the Faculty of Engineering building. He is also remembered on the memorial plaque in the Pipestone Community Hall. 

The banner for Robert Inglis Lothian was sponsored by a generous donation to remember our veterans from the Virden Oilman’s Tournament Committee. 

Henry Lourens Reston, Manitoba Korean War & Peacekeeper 1951-1955

Hendrikus Gerhardus Lourens (Henry) was born in 1929 in Alphen a/d Riyn, Netherlands (Holland) to parents Gerhard Lourens and Johanna Wansinck Lourens. He attended school until sixth grade when, the eldest of ten children, he went to work on a farm. There he was paid in produce to help his parents feed his family. In turn, he worked at custom combining and making square bales at another farm, putting in underground telephone cable, and working on construction of a chocolate factory. 

In February 1951 Henry joined the Netherlands Royal Army National Reserve and served in the Korean War Conflict. In the Korean climate, the troops sweltered in summer temperatures that soared above 1000 F, were constantly wet and muddy in the fall, then chilled to the bone in their wet garb when the winter temperatures dropped to the -400s F. Henry recalled how he looked forward to the monthly arrival of the steam shower truck. The soldiers stripped off the sodden, mud-caked clothing they had worn continuously since the last shower truck, then walked single file through the warm shower spray, each man scrubbing the back of the man in front. At the end of the line they each welcomed the clean set of clothing and new dry boots awaiting them. They would be comfortable at least for the next few hours. From the end of the Korean War on July 27, 1953, Henry served as a United Nations Peacekeeper with the Dutch Army until January 10, 1955 when he was discharged as a private first class. 

Ready for another adventure Henry applied for an employment program whereby the Dutch government connected soldiers with participating families in Canada. Just ten days after his army discharge, Henry emigrated to Canada on January 20, 1955. His soldier buddy friend met his assigned family in Ontario while Henry travelled west to Reston. Within the first two years he vacationed to British Columbia and met a wonderful woman who unfortunately did not want to move with him to Manitoba and live the life of a farm wife. He lived a bachelor to the end.

The farmer who had applied from Canada for “a good, strong, young Dutchman” was Roy Campbell. Henry lived with and worked several years for Roy’s family who farmed north of Reston. After he became a Canadian citizen, Henry worked later for Alvin Dodds and Charlie Cook, and then rented land from Alex Wilson. From 1967 onward, he cash-rented Nellie Morris’ farm. 

Henry gave generously of his time to the community. Over the years he worked in the Pipestone and Reston rinks as icemaker. He had a passion for the Reston men’s hockey club and travelled with them for many years. He was a maintenance worker for Reston Cemetery mowing, watering, and replanting aging evergreens – replacement evergreens he had tended as seedlings from the Morris farm wind guard. He was an avid curler and took many trophies with his fellow rink mates. A twenty-two year Legion member, Henry devoted innumerable hours working bingos and doing community service work. He enjoyed playing cards and shooting pool at the Reston Drop-In Centre. In quiet times Henry enjoyed hunting deer and fishing from his row boat on the Pipestone Creek east of Guthrie’s Crossing.

Henry travelled home to Holland several times. In return, family members, including his father, two siblings, their spouses, a niece and her family visited over the years, travelling western Canada and staying for extended periods at the Morris farm. In return, Roy Campbell and Nellie Morris were hosted by the Holland Lourens family back in Holland.

You could take the man from Holland but you couldn’t take Holland from the man even after he became a Canadian citizen. Each spring, Henry would be knee deep in the earth planting the vegetable garden, and enjoying thousands of tulips that blossomed each spring, a little Holland right here on the Canadian prairie. In 2002 Henry retired to the Alstone Lodge in Reston where he liked to enjoy a good game of cards and a cup of coffee with his friends. “The Flying Dutchman”, as friends called him, died in 2008. He is buried in Reston Cemetery.

The banner for Henry Lourens was sponsored by Laurel Morris. 

Reginald Charles Low    Reston, MB   WWII

Reg was born September 11, 1916 in Ebor, Manitoba to MaryAnn and William Low. Reg was one of eight children, his siblings were Tom, Bill, Harold, Evelyn, Barbara, Helen and Connie. 

Reg served with the 59th Battalion of the RCAF in WWII from 1942 -1945. He saw action in France, Germany and Italy. Reg’s brother Tom was also in the Service. 

When Reg returned home he worked on the family farm with his father and brother Harold. Reg also worked at the seed plant in Reston. 

Unfortunately on April 19, 1956 Reg was driving to work and at the railway crossing just east of Reston he was hit by a train and killed instantly. He was 39 years old. 

Reg is buried in Reston Cemetery. 

The banner for Reginald Low was sponsored by his niece Margaret Ann Cockle.

Thomas Alfred Low    Reston, MB   WWII

Tom enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) in Brandon, Manitoba on October 10th 1941.  He was stationed in Vancouver, British Columbia.  From the stories that I remember they travelled to Sitka, Alaska and were about to be shipped overseas when one of the members of his Unit caught the mumps and their Unit was quarantined. He was discharged on March 8th 1946. 

Tom had met the love of his life, Marguerite (Rita) Jonvik in West Vancouver where they married in June 1943 and raised a family.   Tom and Rita were married until her death in October 1983. 

Tom, not a stranger to hard work he began his career as a scale mechanic and outfitting most of the grocery stores in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and often travelling into the Interior and beyond.  Later in his career he became a key sales person for Jones Food Equipment and continued there until his retirement in 1983.  Even in retirement he would have people call him and ask him for help in purchasing a new dairy case or freezer.  

Tom never lost his farming roots as he put in a full vegetable garden in our backyard each year.  We had lots of vegetables to feed our family and in later years the neighbours benefited from his garden.  

Tom had a great sense of humour and loved to tease.  When his sisters visited our home there was lots of teasing and laughter.  He adored his nieces and nephews and had a great collection of pictures in his livingroom. 

After my Mother passed my Father became an excellent baker and cook.  He often discussed recipes with his family and the neighbours.  His buttertarts were a neighbourhood favourite as were his loaves of bread.  I cannot leave one thing out as it shows just how he leaned into his new endeavors.  Every year on my birthday he had a dinner for me consisting of lemon chicken, vegetables with cheese sauce, scalloped potatoes and a double layer chocolate cake.  

Tom was suffering from Parkinson’s through those last years.  He carried on with determination and sadly passed away in 1997.  

Tom was the son of MaryAnn and William Low of the Ebor District. He was one of eight children. His brother Reg was also in the service.

The banner for Tom Low was sponsored by his daughter Victoria Low. 

Charles MacKenzie was born in Forfar, Scotland in 1883. He followed his brother Robert MacKenzie to Pipestone, Manitoba in 1911 and was a farmer. Only five years after coming to Canada in search of a new life on January 5, 1916 he joined the Cameron Highlanders of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. 

Charles sailed back overseas from Halifax in October with the 179th Battalion.  Shortly after arriving in England in October the 179th was then absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion.  Charles was stationed at Shorncliffe the largest of the bases on the Kent coast just 20 miles from France. It was used as a staging post for troops destined for the Western Front and a Canadian training division was formed there. 

On January 8, 1917 Charles died of a brain abscess, he was 33 years old. It is believed the abscess was caused by an oat seed that lodged in his ear while helping with harvest the summer before he was deployed. His new life at Pipestone was only to last a short time. Charles named his mother, Ellen MacKenzie of Forfar, Scotland his next of kin. 

Charles is buried in Shorncliffe Military Cemetery in Kent England. The inscription on his headstone reads, ‘To memory ever dear inserted by his mother, brothers and sister’. Of the 471 WWI burials over 300 are Canadian.  His name is also inscribed on the Veterans Memorial Plaque hanging in the Pipestone Hall. 

The banner for Charles MacKenzie was sponsored by Graham and Kim MacKenzie of Pipestone.  Graham is the Great Nephew of Charles. 

Russell, also known as Rusty was born on November 24, 1913. He lived all his life in Reston, other than for his years in the war with the R.C.A.F. 

He met his wife, Florence Fletcher (Fletch) while training as a pilot for the air force in London, Ontario.  They married on October 16, 1944.  They had seven children (Linda, Frank, Ross, Mike, Lauretta, Alison and Avis) which they raised in Reston. 

Rusty owned and operated the Reston Recorder which had been started by his family. He died on September 12th, 2003.  Rusty was a kind , gentle and quiet man who enjoyed curling, hunting pheasant, reading and watching local sports. He passed away on September 12, 2003. 

The banner for Russell Manning was sponsored by the Manning Family. 

Evelyn Pearl “Mitch” Mitchell was born on September 7, 1923 in Pipestone, Manitoba. She was the daughter of William Mitchell and Emma Kennedy Mitchell. She grew up on the family farm along the Pipestone Creek on the NW ¼ of 25-7-27.

Evelyn enlisted on December 2, 1943 in Winnipeg with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. She worked as a Cipher Operator at Camp Shilo for her entire service. For this she received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the Second World War Military Campaign Medal.

Following the war Evelyn worked as a telephone operator at Rivers and Pipestone, Manitoba. On November 15, 1950 she married Jack Mayberry and moved to the farm where she worked and raised her family, daughter Pat and son Bill. Evelyn passed away on May 21, 1989 and is buried in the Pipestone cemetery. 

Evelyn’s son Bill lives in Brandon and her daughter Pat McKay lives on a farm south of Brandon. Her nephew Graham MacKenzie lives in Pipestone. 

Evelyn’s military records and pictures are in the possession of her son Bill. Evelyn’s uniform is in the possession of her granddaughter Sarah Ouwerkerk, minus the hat as her son Bill, as a young boy, wore it to shreds!

Of interest, Evelyn is also the niece of four Kennedy brothers, Albert, George, Archie and Scott of Pipestone who fought in WWI. 

The banner for Evelyn ‘Mitch’ Mayberry was sponsored by her son Bill Mayberry and her daughter Pat McKay. 

Alexander McKay     Reston, MB   WWII

Alexander McKay was born at Rapid City, MB on June 13, 1909.  He was the son of Colin and Robina (Grieg) McKay. Colin was an implement dealer at Ebor with his father John.  The family moved to Reston in 1914 to live with family.  Colin died young at 37 years old.  His brothers were Robert, Duncan and Bert McKay.  Robina took in lodgers and was a laundress to raise her 4 boys in a little house near the Reston Memorial Park. 

Alex grew up and went to school in Reston.  He worked at the Reston Recorder for a time before joining the Bank of Montreal.  He moved around before settling in North Battleford and marrying Ellen Joyce Heys in 1937 and the young couple lived in the west.  Alex had a career in the Bank of Montreal and worked his way up to accountant. 

Alex was a member of the Reserve Army in 1939 and he decided to enlist in the Army in 1941.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in the Saskatoon Light Infantry.  After training at Gordon Head, Prince Albert, Winnipeg and Vernon. Alex landed overseas on October 9, 1942 leaving his wife and infant son David.  

His tour of duty included such places as England, Africa, Sicily and Italy.  It was near Rimini on September 24, 1944 that he died during a mortar attack at age 35 and was buried at Coriano Ridge War Cemetery in Italy. Alex is also remembered on his parents’ headstone in the Reston cemetery. 

The banner for Alexander McKay was sponsored by the generous donation of the Virden Oilmen’s Golf Tournament Committee. 

PRIVATE THOMAS EWING McLAREN Service #151121 

Thomas Ewing McLaren was born September 1st, 1879 in Muskoka, Ontario, son of Forbes and Hannah (Ewing) McLaren and one of seven children in the family. The family moved to Manitoba when he was 10 years old and settled on 6-6-26 in the Huston district of the R.M. of Albert. Tom was known for his enlightening recitations of poetry at various concerts throughout the years. 

He took up farming after he was done school and in 1902, married Grace Shilson but was widowed a few years later. In December of 1915, at the age of 36, he went to Brandon and enlisted in the 16th Battalion of the Manitoba Division of the Canadian Infantry. He was a member in the Battalion Pipe Band before leaving Canada and was a piper for his battalion overseas. He was killed in action at the Regina Trench in the Battle of the Somme in France just 10 months later on October 8th, 1916.

 He is buried in the Adanac Military Cemetery near Miraumont, France (Ref.: Plot III, Row F, Grave 37). 

Tom's love of farming has carried on through the generations as great-nephews Kenn, Robert and Glenn Forsyth all continue to farm. Kenn presently farms the original homestead that the McLaren family settled in 1889.

The banner for Thomas McLaren was sponsored by Glenn & Val Forsyth and Family.

Kenneth Cameron McMurchy   Reston, MB  WWII

Kenneth Cameron McMurchy was born at Reston on June 27, 1925 to Jack and Nellie (Elliot) McMurchy. Jack was the Massey Harris dealer in Reston for many decades and Ken had many cousins and friends that he grew up with. 

After completing his schooling, he enlisted in the RCAF in Winnipeg in January of 1943.  According to documents he developed an ambition to fly, was athletic, and had 4 sisters and one brother, Douglas.  He had been a Boy Scout leader in Reston and received references from several locally prominent men that he would make an excellent member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He trained and attained the rank of flight sergeant Air Gunner with Squadron 424 with service number R253156.

Kenneth was one of a crew of 7 airmen that set out on Valentine’s Day in 1945 to lay mines in the Bay of Pomerania north of Berlin, Germany.  The flight was lost without a trace as a letter to his parents stated on February 23.  By October of that year, Ken was presumed to have died.  He and his crewmen are memorialized on the Runnymede War Memorial just outside London, England.  His family and community mourned the tragic loss.  

The banner for Kenneth McMurchy was sponsored by Ian Milliken.

Alexander Duncan ‘Scottie’ Mennie       Reston   WWII

Alexander Duncan Mennie was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on February 22, 1918 to parents William and Jane Mennie (Duncan). Alexander came to Reston, Manitoba from Scotland at the tender age of three. He had an older sister Catherine and an older brother William who lost his life in a tank accident at the end of the war. Scottie drove trucks for his family Esso business. He played baseball with the Reston Rockets and later coached little league.

His nickname Scottie seemed appropriate and that is what everyone called him. Everyone that is but his mom, sister and nephew Jack who always called him Alec. Scottie joined the army in 1941 and was in the Lord Strathcona Horse Squadron B Second Armored Regiment. He served in France, Italy, Africa and Holland returning home after the war was over.

Scottie returned home to run the family business. He was manager/owner of the Esso Bulk Station in Reston for a number of years. Scottie married Shirley Hazel Cronk and they had two sons, William John and Gregory Alexander. The family then moved to Flin Flon and then to Calgary where Scottie passed away on October 11, 2014 at 96 years young.  Tough till the end. 

Scottie was a long-time member of the Masons and Canadian Legion.

The banner for Alexander ‘Scottie’ Mennie was sponsored by Willie John Mennie and the Paul Family. 

William Mennie      Reston, MB    WWII

William Mennie was born on February 29, 1916 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland the son of William and Jane.  In 1921 the family made the move to Canada and ended up in Reston where William Sr. established a very successful draying, coal and fuel business with Imperial Oil. Along with sister Catherine and brother Alex they lived on Third Avenue and were active in the community.  “Bill” as he was known participated in hockey and baseball and enjoyed hunting, skating and skiing. He left school at 16 years and drove a Cat tractor for his father until moving to Sheridan, MB to work for Sherritt Gordon mines.  He moved to Bralorne, British Columbia to work in the hard rock mines and it was there at age 25 he enlisted in the Canadian Army in June of 1941.  He was a member of the British Columbia Dragoons and after training in mechanics and tank driving he headed overseas as part of the 9th Armoured Regiment in November of that year. Bill was appointed to the rank of Corporal in June of 1944 and as Sergeant by October that year.  His tour of duty included Italy, France and Holland.

Tragically, Bill was involved in an accident on June 1, 1945 and drowned as a result of an automobile entering a canal in Holland. He was buried in Holten War Cemetery with the inscription on his white stone reading:

He died that we might live.

Lovingly remembered by father and mother,

sister and brother.

Mennie Lake (59.4295988, -99.4770910) in Northern Manitoba was named after him in 1995.  William Mennie’s veteran banner is sponsored by his nephew Jack Mutter.

J. Glen Milliken   Sinclair, MB   WWII

John Glen Milliken was born on the family farm at Sinclair on August 2, 1920. His parents, George and Mary had four children, Peter, Jean, Glen and Bruce. 

Glen spent his early years on the farm until the Depression forced a move to Virden for a year and then a move to Brandon which became his home. 

He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery in 1941 and served in Britain until being discharged in September 1945.  His older brother Peter and sister Jean both served. Peter, a flight navigator was killed in the war and is buried in England. 

Glen spent 26 happy years employed at Manitoba Hydro in the appliance repair department before becoming an instructor at Assiniboine Community College for 24 years, a job he loved. 

Glen married Margaret Taylor of Brandon in 1947 and had two children, a son Peter and a daughter Laurie. 

Glen passed away, March 3, 2015.

The banner for Glen Milliken was sponsored by the Milliken Family.

John Scott Milliken

59th FD Battery    21st FD Regiment RCA

Private – Radio Operator

WWII  1941-43    Reston, Manitoba

Honored by: The Milliken Family

May 14, 1918 – July 8, 2004

John enlisted in 1941. Until then he had spent his entire life farming at “The Meadows.”

John’s regiment trained at Nanaimo, B.C. There they spent time at batteries on the coast. In 1943 they travelled across Canada to Halifax, Nova Scotia. On August 27 they departed Halifax on the Queen Mary for Scotland and England. From England it was on to the invasion of Italy. At some point before John arrived in Italy the 21st Regiment was disbanded and the men were assigned to other units. He was wounded at the Battle of Ortono and eventually sent home; returning to farm at “The Meadows.”

Dad made many life-long friends during his service. Young farm boys like himself, most of them who had never ventured from home before, willing to sacrifice their lives to save the world from tyranny. They had one advantage, bodies hardened by the very nature of their farming era.

92,927 Canadians served in Italy, 25 percent became casualties and 5,799 still lie in Italian soil.

Lest we forget.

The banner for John Milliken was sponsored by his sons Ian and Craig Milliken. 

Rayment James (Jim) Milliken grew up in the Hillview district, elder son of George and Murielle Milliken. He attended Hillview and Reston schools and then farmed with his parents until he enlisted in the army at Brandon in 1941. His basic training was at Portage la Prairie. He served as Gunner with the Royal Canadian Army, 1st Canadian Division, 59thBattery 3rd Field Regiment from 1941-1945. He served in Italy, France, Holland and Belgium. He was awarded a Canadian Voluntary Service medal, Italy, France and Germany, 1939-1945 Stars and a European Theatre of war medal. 

After the war, he purchased a half section of land (S ½ 10-8-28) in the Ewart district and farmed there until 1977 when he retired to Reston. He married Gwen Simms of Oak River and raised three children, Sandy, Marilee and Shelly. Sandy died in a car accident in 1973, Marilee married Keith Smeltz of the Cromer area and currently lives in Reston, Shelly married Dave Breeze and lives in Winnipeg.

Jim was active in community affairs and served as a Councillor in the RM of Pipestone for six years, on the boards of many organizations and was very involved in the life of the St. John’s Anglican Church. He passed away on May 27, 1988 at the age of 68 years. 

The banner for Jim Milliken was sponsored by Marilee and Keith Smeltz and family. 

Jim Morrice was born September 1, 1918. Before the war he farmed with his father and his brother Wib. In 1941 Jim joined the army and in 1942 went overseas to England with the 8th Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He was sent to France in 1944, was wounded in Belgium and then went through Holland and Germany. He returned home after the war on December 31, 1945. In 1946 Jim married Betty Birnie from the Ewart district and bought a farm in the Dublin district. Two children were born, Russell and Lenna. Jim and Betty retired to Reston in 1980.

Of interest Jim Morrice and his brother John Morrice signed up together and spent the entire war together even came home the same day. 

The banner for Jim Morrice was sponsored by his son Russell Morrice and his daughter Lenna Paradis.

John worked on the home farm until he joined the Army 4th Division L.A.A. He went overseas to England and was wounded in action in September of 1944 but stayed with his unit on duty. After V.E. Day he volunteered to go to Japan but the American atomic bomb put an end to the war there.  He was discharged and came home to start farming on Section 17-6-28. On April 6, 1950 John married Tina Cain who was also a veteran with 3 ½ years’ service. They had five children, Karen, Jacqueline, Helen, John Jr and Barbara. 

The banner for John Morrice was sponsored by ‘The Family of John and Tina Morrice.’

Tina Cain Hiebert Morrice   Reston WWII

Tina Cain Hiebert was born on November 30, 1921 at Winkler, Manitoba.  She was the third of six children of farmers Peter and Sarah Winkler.  She attended school at Friedenfeld School south of Steinbach and after that, kept house for several families. In 1943, Tina joined the military and served in Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta until 1946.

Her specific duties in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) as Lance Corporal W10754 are unknown at present.  This division of the Army was formed in 1941 in response to a shortage of personnel and despite some opposition to the “Petticoat Army” their work as secretaries, clerks, canteen workers, vehicle drivers and more became invaluable.  These women were paid less than men for doing the exact same job and became trailblazers for women of today, armed forces and otherwise.

In the spring of 1950, Tina married John A. Morrice of Reston,MB.  They took up farming in the RM of Albert on 17-6-28 in the Dublin district south of Reston. They raised a family of 5 children (Karen, Jackie, Helen, John (Laddie), Barb) and retired to Reston in 1973.  John and Tina kept busy fishing and camping and with community life.  Tina was an avid quilter and knitter.  Tina passed away in 1996, eleven years after John.  They are buried side by side in Reston Cemetery with white veteran stones to mark their places. 

The banner for Tina Morrice was sponsored by The Morrice Family, Karen, Jackie, Helen, John and Barb. 

William Arthur Morris Reston, Manitoba     World War II

William Arthur Morris (Bill) was born middle child to Arthur and Isabela (Napier) Morris on May 19, 1923. Like his older brother Jack, he was born in Reston in the house belonging to his grandfather, John Napier, the second house north of where the Memorial Theatre now stands on main street. The Morris family moved to Carlyle, returning to farm the Napier homestead 26-7-27 after the death of Mr. Napier in 1928. Art and Bella inherited the farm after Mrs. Abigail (Schultz) Napier died in 1933. Farm life was challenging during the drought of the Dirty Thirties, a time of dust bowls, grasshoppers, drought, rust and hail. During this period sister Shirley was born in 1937.

Because Lanark School, a half mile distant, was closed in 1934 due to low enrollment, Jack and Bill had to travel three miles north to attend Lampton School. Bella, a Brandon Normal School graduate and former Lanark School teacher (1916), taught them their last years at home under permission of the Virden school inspector. 

Bill helped his parents on the farm. His pastimes included fishing, hunting, swimming in nearby Pipestone Creek and playing the piano. Later when older brother Jack played saxophone in a dance band, Bill was on the ready to fill in the breaks, playing non-stop boogie by ear, no sheet music, until the band’s break was over. 

The year he turned 18, Bill signed up for the army and trained in Brandon and Regina. From there he served as a private in Portage la Prairie, Shilo, Victoria, Nanaimo and Vancouver. In 1942 the Canadian government had set up the Veterans Land Act (VLA) program with the primary goal of helping World War II Veterans transition back into civilian life. Under the VLA returning soldiers could purchase land with a small down payment and a government loan. In 1945, Bill used his army savings and his VLA loan to purchase the east half of section 35-7-27 bordering the Napier homestead to the south. He then set about starting a shelter belt with spruce trees obtained from Indian Head nurseries in Saskatchewan - trees available across the prairies to residents for no cost except the cost of shipping. By 1949 he had a thriving shelter belt around his ten acre yard.

In 1947 young Nellie Van Sprundel of Manor, Saskatchewan had completed her training as a stenographer at Dominican Business College in Winnipeg, travelling by train to Reston to work at the Bank of Montreal. She soon caught the attention of Bill, but in May 1949 she transferred to the main branch of the Bank of Montreal at Portage and Main in Winnipeg. So off she went . . . with Bill not far behind!  Bill got a job with Eatons’ Department store. To further his music ability he took ten private piano lessons in chording which he used the rest of his life to play his favourite tunes. The couple married on October 22, 1949 and settled in Reston until their home was ready on the farm. In 1962 they bought the western half of 35-7-27 and the SW quarter of 12-7-27. 

During the early farming years father Art, brother Jack and Bill farmed as a unit. Jack married Lois Hutcheson from Pipestone. In 1953 they moved to Winnipeg where Jack took up construction work and Lois worked for the Hudson Bay Company. They had two sons, Jim and Allan. Bill and Nellie had four children: Laurel, Lee, Danny and Randy. Sister Shirley, born fifteen years after Bill, married Alvin Greggor of Woodnorth. They farmed, eventually moving to Brandon, where Alvin was a trucker and Shirley worked  for McKenzie seeds, and  finally to Salmon Arm, BC where they raised their children: Darla, Darcy, Dean, Shari, Brad and Kim. 

In 1970 Bill and Nellie separated. She stayed in their original farm home while he moved to the Reston house they had lived in as newlyweds and to where his parents had retired. He continued to hunt with his sons, fish, go for coffee, and spend time with his children and grandchildren. Neighbours tell of hearing him play the piano many an afternoon and into the evening in his Reston home.

At the farm on the morning of November 9, 1998, Nellie looked from her farmhouse window to see a buck walk towards the house, stop and momentarily look at her, then saunter into the shelter belt. Bill had died that day in his Reston house just before the annual father/son hunting season. Bill is buried in Reston Cemetery.

The banner for William Arthur Morris was sponsored by Laurel Morris. 

Bill Munro was born in Reston in July of 1925 to Marjorie Ann (McDonald) and Peter McKinley Munro. He was one of four children: with older sister Norma (Ficek), younger sister Sheila (Dodds) and younger brother Peter. 

With his parents’ permission, Bill enlisted in Brandon, MB in 1943 just two months shy of his 18th birthday. He trained at the #7 Bombing and Gunnery school in Paulson, Manitoba, the #2 Wireless School in Calgary and at an operational training unit in the West Indies. 

He was posted to India in early 1945 attached to an RCAF Squadron (354) and flew on many ship escort missions. 

On April 23rd of 1945 after taking part in a mission to sink a ship carrying supplies to a Japanese held port on the Burma coast, the Liberator aircraft Bill was on with 9 other crew members went down in the Andaman Sea. 

Bill and only four other crew members survived the wreckage of the aircraft. Bill had multiple injuries, including two broken vertebrae. The five surviving crew floated at sea for three days in life rafts before being rescued and taken to hospital in Cocanada, Madras, India. 

Bill’s parents had been notified that the crew had failed to return to base after their mission and were presumed missing. The telegram to notify family of the rescue was dated May 3rd, 1945. Bill spent months in hospital before being medically discharged arriving home in September 1945. Tragically Bill’s younger brother Peter passed away in May 1945 of a brain tumour at the age of 12 while Bill was overseas recovering. 

Bill attended the Mason City, Iowa School of Auctioneering. 

Bill married Helen Walker of Reston in June of 1951. They had four children, Blaine, Grant, Peter and Lisa.  

Bill auctioneered and bought and sold cattle in various locations throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan before settling back in Reston in 1964. 

Bill passed away in March of 1999 at the age of 73. 

The banner for Bill Munro was sponsored by the Munro Family. 

John Albert (Johnnie) Napier Reston, Manitoba      

The Great War (World War 1) 

John Napier Sr. (John) migrated from Lanark, Ontario in 1883 to register a claim in Brandon, Manitoba to homestead the northeast quarter of 26-7-27 in the RM of Pipestone, land previously allocated to the Hudson Bay Company. He was attracted to this vast grassland of open prairie, kept treeless by fires sweeping through at regular intervals. Later John acquired the adjoining northwest quarter of 26-7-27 from the Canadian Pacific Railway. 

The original rail route planned to unify a Canadian nation from Atlantic to Pacific was to pass right by the one acre site purchased from adjoining neighbor, Thomas Bulloch, for Reston School which opened in 1887. Ratepayers chose the name of Reston after the Scottish hometown of many area settlers. The school became the social hub for miles around housing Sunday church services, an annual fall concert, a singing school, community meetings and dances. Goods arrived for distribution from Brandon. The William Bulloch farm to the west handled postal services.

But the rail line was diverted south to the current site of Reston, on the southern side of the Pipestone Creek, all because of the C.P.R. route planner. As in other areas, this official diverted the line south of Pipestone Creek onto land he had previously purchased, land which the C.P.R. then had to purchase from him at an elevated price! To minimize disruption in mail service, the former settlement of Reston was renamed Lanark, after the area in Scotland from where other area settlers had originated. 

In 1885 John returned from his second winter in Ontario bringing back his mother Mary Boyle and two half-sisters Margaret (Harry Giles) and Bella (John Reddy). To meet homestead obligations, he had to work and plow the land for three months each year for three years. The land became his in 1885 during the unrest of the Louis Riel uprising in Saskatchewan.  Area settlers were relieved the conflict did not extend to the Indian reservation a short 5 miles east of the Napier homestead. Family remembrance is that John had gone to Virden to sell a load of grain but lost his way when a storm erupted on the prairie trails of the era. Missing the Cook stopping house south of Virden he arrived instead at the John Henry Schultz farm where 18-year-old daughter Abigail served him a hearty supper. By accident or perhaps on purpose, he got lost quite often thereafter. Once too often! In January 1980, John and Abigail Schultz were married in Virden. 

John Albert Jr. (Johnnie) was the first born and only son to John and Abigail Napier. Born December 5, 1891, Johnnie was brother to sisters Agnes (Fenton), Isabella (Morris), and Margaret, known respectively as Aggie, Bella and Peg. Johnnie became a farmer like his father. As a teenager he served in the 20th Battalion BH 12th Manitoba Dragoons formed in part to defend the Canadian United States border. At age 23, he enlisted in Yorkton, Saskatchewan in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. He served in the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, Saskatchewan Regiment.  Johnnie was promoted to Corporal on January 4, 1915 and to Sergeant on April 1, 1915. His unit sailed on June 12, 1915 and landed in France on September 22, 1915 via field training in England. Military service notes indicate that he had a week’s leave to England the following July 2016 away from the war field before returning July 16 to the battlefield. Salary paid to him during his service time was 10 cents per day. Pay he did not use personally was sent back to Canada to his parents. 

Johnnie went missing in action on September 15, 1916 at the first Battle of the Somme. His parents were notified November 22, 1916 that he was wounded and missing in action. But they endured an agonizing six month wait until May 29, 1917 to learn of his death. Six years later on September 22, 1922 his parents were notified that Johnnie was awarded a corporal star. A plaque and scroll was sent to his father, John. The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Abigail. His parents carried on with the motto, “We must be brave and carry on.” 

John is buried at Posieres, Department de la Somme, Picardie, France. A memorial stone is being placed in Reston Cemetery between his parents’ John and Abigail’s grave stone and his sister Bella and her husband Art Morris’ grave stone. 

Post script: By1939 and the start of WWII, farming was designated an essential occupation for the war effort. Therefore, first-born sons were prevented from enlisting. Had Johnnie Napier been born a few years later he may never have gone to war and the Napier name may well have survived in the area today.

The banner for John Napier was sponsored by Laurel Morris. 

Robert Milner Nash   Reston, MB    WWII

Robert Nash, known as Bert, was the youngest son of Charlie and Victoria Nash. He was born July 18, 1919 on the family farm north of Reston, growing up with his sister Olive and brother Stewart. Bert received his education at Lanark and spent his early years helping out on the farm.

Bert moved to Winnipeg and worked at various jobs, driving a taxi, Canada Packers, etc. He took electrical appliance repair at college in Winnipeg. 

In 1942 Bert joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in Regina. He trained in Boundary Bay, B.C. and then Montreal as an engine mechanic. Bert was discharged on September 10, 1945 and moved home to help on the farm. 

In the early 1950’s Bert purchased a small farm, later renting the land and living in Virden. He spent his leisure hours at his farm and working at a garage. 

With failing health Bert was moved from Virden Hospital in 2001 to the Reston Health Center. In April 2002 he became a resident of the Sherwood Home in Virden and in October 2010 was moved to the West Man Nursing Home. 

Bert passed away October 3, 2012 at the age of 93 and is buried in the Reston Cemetery beside his sister Olive.  

The banner for Robert Nash was sponsored by a generous donation from the Virden Oilmen’s Golf Tournament Committee.

Stanley Graham Nichols was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan in 1921. On his attestation form his address is Pipestone and he named his mother Mrs. Emma May Nichols of Pipestone his next of kin, however Pipestone was later scratched out and changed to Napinka and later correspondence named her place of residence as Melita.  Stanley had been running his father’s farm with his younger brother who was partially crippled since his father’s disappearance. He also had one older sister and two younger sisters. 

Emma Nichols received a telegram on August 5, 1944, “regretting to inform you that Private Stanley Graham Nichols has been officially reported missing in action twenty-fifth July 1944 STOP when further information becomes available it will be forwarded as soon as received.”

Emma received a letter dated December 18, 1944 stating, “every effort has been made through official and unofficial channels to obtain further information concerning the fate of your son.” It continues to ask Mrs. Nichols if she receives any evidence or news of him however insignificant or vague they have included an addressed envelope, no postage required for her to use to reply. 

On June 23, 1945 Mrs. Nichols receives another telegram, “Deeply regret to inform you that Private Stanley Graham Nichols previously reported missing is now for official purposes presumed killed in action twenty-fifth July 1944.”

Stanley was serving with the Calgary Highlanders when he was killed in action in the field in Western Europe on July 25, 1944, he was 23 years old. 

Mrs. Nichols received the next letter dated, May 16, 1946 telling her “the remains of her late son have been reverently buried in Hottot-Les-Bagues military cemetery in France, however grave, row and plot number have not yet been received.”

Private Stanley Graham Nichols is buried in Normandy and his name is honored on the Veterans Plaque in the Pipestone Hall as well as listed with the fallen from WWII in Melita. 

The banner for Stanley Nichols was sponsored by the Pipestone Guild. 

Elizabeth A. (Martin) Nicholson   Pipestone   WWI

Elizabeth Adelaide Martin was on of twelve children born to David and Sarah (McMurray) Martin in Dromore County, Northern Ireland on November 20, 1888. She received her education and nurse's training there.

When war broke out in 1914, Elizabeth, at the age of 16, joined the Royal Ulster Volunteer Nursing Brigade and saw service in Belgium and in France. Irish women provided significant support to the Allied forces during the First World War. 4,500 Irish nurses offered medical care and support to British and Allied troops serving in war hospitals on the battlefields and across Britain and Ireland. 

Elizabeth married William Nicholson in 1915. William had immigrated to Canada from Dromore County Ireland in1912 settling southwest of Pipestone in the Paramount District.  

On arriving in Canada in 1915, she became a member of Huston United Church and as she was well trained musically, she soon became their organist and at times trained a small choir for special service. She also played for Christmas concerts at both the Paramount and Huston schools when requested, sometimes walking the three miles each way in order not to disappoint the children or the teacher. Mrs. Nicholson later joined the Reston United Church and their United Church women's organization. She was also a member of the Auxiliary to the Reston Legion for whom she served as president for a term. 

Elizabeth and William were married for fifty six years. To this union three children were born: James Edwin, Walter Martin, and Mary Ethel. By 1934, all three had completed their grade ten education at Paramount school.

In 1936, Elizabeth travelled with the Canadian Pilgrimage for the unveiling of the war memorial at Vimy Ridge in France by King Edward VIII.  Over 6200 Canadian veterans and their families attended the service on Sunday, July 26, 1936. Three days later on July 29th, Elizabeth was an honoured guest at the King's garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Elizabeth Nicholson died on June 21, 1972 and is buried with her husband in Reston Cemetery. The Nicholson farm that Elizabeth moved to from Ireland so many years ago remains in the Nicholson family to this day. 

The banner for Elizabeth Martin Nicholson was sponsored by the Nicholson Family.

Ely was the youngest of the 5 sons of Andrey and Annie Olenick to join the army. He joined at age 18 in 1945 and was prepared to go to Japan when the war there was declared over, September 2, 1945. 

Ely returned home to begin work with Manitoba Bridge and then Westeel Rosco. He loved heights and sheet metal work such as the Husky Tower in Calgary. He was married three times and had three children. He was diagnosed with malignant brain tumor and passed away in Calgary in 2001. His ashes remain there. 

The banner for Ely was sponsored by the Olenick Family and his biography was submitted by his sister-in-law Verna Olenick of Reston. 

Of special interest: Andrey and Annie Olenick of Reston saw five of their sons enter the service. Four went overseas, George, Neuf, Nick and Ted who did not come home. However Ely was still ready to serve after his brother Ted was killed. 

Private George Olenick joined the South Saskatchewan Regiment in April, 1940 and was stationed at Weyburn, Saskatchewan. He went overseas in December 1940. He served in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. George was able to swim back to his ship at Dieppe (1942) and escaped being taken prisoner of war. His brother-in-law was taken as a POW at that time. George stayed in Europe until 1946 to help with clean up there. 

After arriving home he rejoined the CPR as a section man (railway tracks). He worked several places in Saskatchewan and Manitoba until his retirement. During the 1950’s George had a brief marriage but had no children. He died of cardiac arrest and end stage of COPD. George is buried at Strathclair, Manitoba.

George was the eldest son of Andrey and Annie Olenick of Reston and the first of five brothers who would serve in WWII.

The banner for George Olenick was sponsored the Olenick Family and his biography submitted by his sister-in-law, Verna Olenick of Reston. 

Nick was born on January 6, 1923, in Reston, Manitoba, the fourth child of Andrew and Annie Olenick. He grew up in the home he shared with his parents, five brothers and five sisters, attending elementary and partial high school there. 

Nick worked at different jobs, such as truck helper and driver, hauling fuel to farmers as well as grain, livestock, and wood. He spent six weeks on the C.P.R. extra gang and some time with a threshing crew. In his spare time, Nick played on the local hockey team and curled. He could also be found socializing at school and at barn dances. 

On January 16th, 1941, a trip was made into Winnipeg to enlist in the Army, joining the 17th Field Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery. There were eight other men from Reston in this unit where Nick spent the next five years, until February 8, 1946, when he was discharged. During this time, he found himself in camps like Shilo, Manitoba, Debert, Nova Scotia, Sussex, New Brunswick and then over to England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. For his service, Nick was awarded 1939-45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp War Medal.

During Nick’s stay in Winnipeg, he met Marion Schultz whom he married on March 28th, 1946, after he returned to civilian life. Nick and Marion raised a family of three children, Robert (1947), Deborah (1951) and Kimberly (1956) and were married for thirty years until Marion passed away in July 1976. 

June 1946 found Nick employed with the heavy construction firm of Nelson River Construction where he would make his career for the next forty-two years retiring in 1988. During his time with Nelson River, he worked as a labourer, and foreman eventually becoming a supervisor for highway surfacing, underground sewer, and bridge building. Nick found himself spending a lot of time in road camps, coming home only on weekends! 

Nick married Constance Wach in January of 1977 and gained two adult stepsons, Clay and Elly.

In retirement, Nick and Connie found themselves travelling to attend Regiment reunions each year and even returning to Holland in 1990, 1995 and 2000 for the Liberation Celebrations. Visiting their children and grandchildren and other family became part of their travels. 

Nick also kept himself busy with home and yard maintenance and woodworking projects, when needed, he would do yard maintenance at the service station that looked after his vehicles. To keep active during the winter, Nick would curl, sometimes curling three to four times a week with senior clubs. He also enjoyed attending a breakfast club every second Tuesday that was in the area.  

Several of Nick’s siblings stayed in the Reston area and visits were made on a regular basis, bringing the growing families together. Now, all his brothers and sisters have passed away with the wife of the youngest brother surviving them all. Verna Olenick still resides in Reston and enjoys her community involvement. 

Nick was 87 when he passed away on October 31, 2010, predeceasing his wife, Connie and their blended family of five children and their families.

The banner for Nick Olenick was sponsored by the Olenick Family. 

Neuf was born in Reston, December 25, 1921 to Andy and Annie Olenick. He was the second of eleven children, 6 boys and 5 girls.  

Growing up he attended school in Reston. He played goal for their hockey teams and was a back catcher for baseball. After school he worked for area farmers and Campbell’s Seed Plant. On May 2, 1941 he joined the Canadian Pacific Railway in Reston earning 30 cents an hour. Due to a reduction in work he was laid off September 6, 1941. 

On September 24, 1941, Neuf enlisted with the army the 59th Field Battery, Brandon, Manitoba. He was assigned ID H92303 and participated as a gunner. He served in Canada until 1943. He went overseas with the 63rd Field Battery, 19thCanadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery on July 20, 1943 and served there until December 8, 1945. He participated in D-Day. His service continued back in Canada from December 9, 1945 until his discharge February 12, 1946. 

On March 11, 1946 Neuf returned to the CPR at Reston working as a Section Man. He was able to retain his seniority established prior to the war. He went on to work at Grayson, Saskatchewan, Elkhorn and Minnedosa, Manitoba.

In November 1955, Neuf was promoted to Section Forman, working out of communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He worked at Welwyn, SK, Reston, MB, Antler, SK, Griswold, Elkhorn, Kirkella, Pipestone MB and Weyburn, SK. He returned to Reston in 1968 and continued working there until his retirement on December 31, 1981 after 40.5 years of service.

His work for the CPR also included working as a Spreader and Snow Plow Foreman on the Brandon and Regina Divisions. 

Neuf married Noreen Wilson, daughter ot George and Elsie (Wilkins) Wilson on May 13, 1950. They raised a family of four children. Grant was born in 1955, Cheryl in 1958, Janice in 1959 and Brian in 1960. 

Neuf continued to enjoy sports. He actively played hockey until 1950. He started playing golf in his later years. Neuf was active in the community involved with the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and the Royal Canadian Legion. 

Neuf passed away June 14, 2002. He is buried at the Reston Cemetery. 

The banner for Neuf Olenick was sponsored by the Olenick Family. 

“Rifleman Theodore Olenick of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles died April 21, 1945 at the age of 19 and is commemorated at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery in Holland. His older brother Nick has visited his grave three times. Rifleman Olenick was the son of Andrew and Annie Olenick of Reston, Manitoba.” 

Ted was born October 21, 1925 at Reston, Manitoba. He was the sixth child of Annie (Diachuk) and Andy Olenick. As a young fellow, he was very popular and well liked. Like most of the Olenick children, he too was very athletic, his favourite sport being hockey. He served as a mascot for the hockey team when his older brothers were playing and eventually came to be a goaltender himself. He also enjoyed his time spent with the Boy Scouts. Ted was a good student and completed his Grade 10 at Reston High School. He then worked for a short period with his Dad on the section and also at McDougall’s Transfer in Reston. In the fall of 1943, Ted went to Winnipeg where he accepted a job with Liquidaire Craft of Winnipeg and at the same time resumed his studies at night school. 

Ted seemed to have a premonition about going overseas in World War II and was not nearly as anxious as his three older brothers were to pursue that avenue of life. However, he did become a member of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles on May 9, 1944. After training at Fort Gary, Shilo and Debert, Nova Scotia, he sailed for overseas on December 23, 1944. None of us will really know what all took place during those next three months after disembarking in Europe, but one thing we know for sure is that he would have much rather been back on the prairies than sailing to that far-off land, away from family and friends on Christmas Day, 1944. 

We are told that he died about an hour after receiving wounds to the chest and thigh on the battlefields of northern Holland on April 21, 1945. He was 19 years old. He now lies in peace with 1400 other young Canadians in a beautiful military cemetery in the forest at Holton, Holland. 

In 1974 a lake in Northern Manitoba was named after Ted. Olenick Lake is west of North Knife Lake. 

Ted was one of five Olenick brothers of Reston, Manitoba to serve in WWII. Over the years several family members have visited Ted’s resting place at Holton Canadian War Cemetery in Holland. 

The banner for Ted was sponsored by the Olenick Family and his biography submitted by his sister-in-law,Verna Olenick, of Reston from an article compiled by family that was published in the book ‘A Place of Honour, Manitoba’s War Dead Commemorated in its Geography.’

Cecil William Paddock was born in Winnipegosis, MB on March 18, 1906 to William Henry and Christina (Rutherford) Paddock.  Paddy (as he was known) became the manager of the creamery in Elkhorn and is remembered for the superior butter and ice cream produced in his plant in the late 30’s. 

He must have been on a quest for adventure as he enlisted in the Air Force in 1941 and was soon training as an air gunner and went overseas in the 424 Squadron upon graduation. He saw action against German targets as well taking part in air raids in Northern Africa and Italy.

Cecil was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943 by King George VI  for his outstanding contribution, a rare accomplishment. His other medals include the Air Gunner’s Badge, 1939-45 Star, CVSM and Clasp, European Star, Italy Star and Defence Medal. His leadership skills saw him become a Squadron Leader at Topcliffe, Yorkshire, England until his discharge in 1946.

Upon his return, Paddy had a creamery built in Reston and began production of butter and ice cream there in July of 1946.  Additional products from the Bonnie Brae line included chocolate milk, buttermilk, cottage cheese and cheddar cheese.  Eggs were graded and sold through the business as well and many local people made a living working at his enterprises and supplemented their farming income by selling cream and eggs.

Times change and fewer people milked cows, making the smaller dairies like Paddy’s obsolete.  He continued to run the creamery at Souris and farmed just south of Reston. His outgoing nature made him a memorable character to those who knew him.

He was an active member in the Legion in both Reston and Winnipegosis, the Reston Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Lodge in Brandon and the Shrine Khartum Temple in Winnipeg.

Paddy passed away in November of 1972 and is buried at Winnipegosis. The Reston branch of the Sunrise Credit Union is proud to sponsor the veteran banner for Cecil Paddock as a local businessman and citizen for over two decades.  We will remember his service overseas and his friendship in our community.

Hugh Alexander Pearson

Hugh was born on the family farm at Nesbitt, MB on November 1, 1918 to John and Margaret Pearson. In 1927 the family moved to SW 30-8-17 in the Elm Valley district north of Reston.

He started school at Elm Valley at the age of nine and finished Grade 8 in 1936.

Hugh worked on local farms until enlisting in the army at the age of 24 in January 1942, the same month his older brother, John, enlisted. He had previously spent a month in the fall of 1940 at the 100th Basic Training Centre (Royal Winnipeg Rifles) in Brandon. In 1942 he trained at Portage la Prairie and took Advance training at Kingston, ON. He trained as a blacksmith and was posted to Newfoundland (North Atlantic) and served there for 26 months as a member of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. (Here is information from Wikipedia on the RCOC: During the Second World War, the corps had a strength of 35,000 military personnel, not including the thousands of civilian personnel employed at corps installations. They procured all the material goods required by the Army, from clothing to weapons. Up until 1944, the RCOC was responsible for maintenance and repair. Ordnance Field Parks, that held and stored everything from spare parts to spare artillery, supported field formation including the Divisions and I and II Canadian Corps.) Following the end of the war Hugh remained in Newfoundland, working as a blacksmith for the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was discharged at MacGregor, MB in February 1947.

Hugh was awarded the 1939-45 War Medal.

After his discharge from the army, Hugh started farming that spring with his brothers, Jim and Bill. In 1949 he and Bill moved to a farm southwest of Sinclair and lived there until 1977 when the farm was sold and Hugh retired to Reston.

Hugh never married and has no family remaining in the area. He passed away on January 4, 1982.

~Respectfully submitted by Marilee Smeltz on behalf of Reston United Church

James Laughton Pearson

James was born on the family farm at Nesbitt, MB on December 6, 1920. His parents were John and Margaret Pearson who originally came to Canada from the Orkney Islands of Scotland.  In 1927 the family moved to SW 30-8-17 in the Elm Valley district north of Reston.

He started school at Elm Valley in 1928 and completed Grade 8 in 1938. His teacher, Mabel Barret, said he was the smartest boy she ever taught and thought it was a shame he wasn’t able to continue his education. A comment on his military record states he has “above average learning ability”.

James worked on local farms until enlisting in the army in May 1942. (He was the fourth of five brothers to enlist in the early months of that year.) He was assigned to the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals and was trained at Portage la Prairie in Morse code and became a Signalman. He went overseas to the UK in June 1942 as part of the Canadian Signals Reinforcement Unit. In July 1944 he embarked from the UK, landing in France and saw service in France and Continental Europe. He was discharged from the military and returned home in December 1945.

Jim was awarded the 1939 - 1945 War Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defense Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.

Following the war he farmed with his brothers, Bill and Hugh in the Reston and Sinclair areas. He never married and has no family remaining in the area.

~Respectfully submitted by Marilee Smeltz on behalf of Reston United Church

John Grieve Pearson was one of four brothers to enlist in WWII. 

Mr. And Mrs. John Pearson came to the Elm Valley district southeast of Cromer in 1927. They had five boys, John, Bill, Hugh, James and Harold. The boys all went to school at Elm Valley. 

John started school in 1927 at the age of 10 in Grade 1. At age 17 he finished Grade 8. John worked on farms in the Elm Valley and Hillview districts for a couple of years and then around Bardal for about six years. 

In January 1942, John enlisted in the army and was sent overseas in July that year. When John joined the army he took a course in Morris Code and was later a dispatcher. John was with the the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps (RCOC). He served five years, returning home in January 1947. 

All the Pearson boys came home safely from the war, but John’s brother Harold was killed in a car accident in 1956. After that Mr. Pearson decided to sell the farm and move to Reston. 

When John came home from the war he worked for farmers for a year or more and then bought interest in Munro’s Grocery Store in partnership with Bert Pierce. He retired in 1977. 

None of the Pearson brothers married and John was the surviving member of the family when he died in 2004. He had invested his money wisely and in his will he left a large amount of money to be divided among the churches in town, the Willowview, the Reston Rink, the Al-Stone, The Reston Park and others. 

John along with his parents and four brothers are buried in the Woodnorth Cemetery.

The banner for John Pearson was sponsored by the Reston Grad Class of 2024 who would like to recognize his service to our country and his legacy of philanthropy to Reston and surrounding communities. 

-       The information on John Pearson was taken from the Trails Along the Pipestone and from an article in the Reston Museum written by Gordon Smeltz. 

William (Bill) Harold Pearson

William was born on the family farm at Nesbitt, MB on February 4, 1917. His father was John Inkster Pearson, who came to Canada from the island of Rousay in the Orkneys in 1906. Mr. Pearson returned to the Orkneys in 1913 and married Margaret Jane Grieve. They returned to the farm at Nesbitt where John had farmed since 1910. Here five sons were born: John Grieve (1914), William Harold (1916), Hugh Alexander (1918), James Laughton (1920) and Harold Leonard (1923). In 1927 the family moved to SW 30-8-17 in the Elm Valley district north of Reston.

Bill started school at Elm Valley at the age of ten and finished Grade 8 seven years later.

Bill worked on farms in the area after finishing his schooling. For a month in 1941 he trained in Brandon at the National Resources Active Mobilization Center and enlisted in the army in April 1942. His brothers John and Hugh had enlisted in January 1942. He trained at Portage La Prairie and Kingston, ON as a Lineman and qualified as a Signalman. (According to the internet a Lineman worked as a member of a team laying, maintaining and taking up the wire or cable of a telephone or telegraph communication system. The work was completed in all types of weather, during times of active combat operations, and on two continents.) Private William Pearson was a member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals and was in the UK from December 1942 to June 1944. He served in France and NW Europe as part of the Canadian Signals Reinforcement Unit until the end of the war and returned home in December 1945.

Bill was awarded the 1939 -1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Meal and Clasp.

In 1947 he started farming with his brother, Hugh, south of Reston. Two years later they moved to a farm south of Sinclair and farmed there until retiring to Reston in the early 1970s. 

In 1956 his youngest brother, Harold, died in a car accident.

Bill never married and has no family remaining in the area. He passed away in 1999.

~Respectfully submitted by Marilee Smeltz on behalf of Reston United Church

Raymond Pengelly was born in Virden, Manitoba. His grandparents immigrated to southern Ontario with some family moving to the Cromer & Hargrave area in Manitoba where his father Richard John established himself as a farmer. He married Hazel Ann (Barkley) and had 9 children with Raymond being the eldest, seven younger brothers and one sister. 

Raymond attended a one room school in Cromer until Grade 6 and excelled at mathematics. However, at the young age of 12, Raymond was obligated to leave school and begin work on the farm to help support the family. 

Raymond left his family home in Cromer seeking adventure and the lure of the west, riding the railway on his way to British Columbia to visit his uncles. The adventure of serving his country captured Raymond’s imagination and he enlisted in Camrose, Alberta on April 18, 1941. 

Lance Corporal Raymond Pengelly trained in Canada until November 12, 1941. His division embarked for England from Halifax. Overseas he served his country as a “C” Tank Driver Mechanic with the Lord Strathcona Horse Division. He served in Canada, Britain, Central Mediterranean and Northwest Europe. 

Lance Corporal Pengelly was wounded by gunshot during enemy action on two occasions. The first injury occurred on May 5, 1944 during the campaign in Italy. On April 16, 1945, during the campaign to liberate Holland and almost four years to the day of his enlistment, Raymond was severely wounded while escaping his burning tank which had sustained enemy fire. What we know about Raymond’s injury was that his tank was hit by Panzer fire. His fellow soldiers escaped in a haze of smoke and flames, but the hatch lid was prematurely dropped on Raymond. The burning tank was about to explode, he had to get out of the tank. As the turret hatch was stuck closed, he crawled out through the tank floor only to face the enemy. Mortar fire ripped across the darkened sky and the burning tanks explosion was seen by his buddies fleeing in the woods, a fallen soldier was hidden under the molten smoke, shrapnel having ripped through his body. His buddies returned to the burning tank in the face of the enemy fire to save Raymond’s life. There had been no notion to escape to safety and leave Raymond behind. True to their valor and courage, these soldiers left the safety of the woods and ran towards enemy fire for their fallen friend. They had been willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to save one soldier, one life. 

Raymond sustained a severe injury involving his back and neck which kept him in hospital overseas for several months requiring several surgical procedures. He was discharged from Bramshott Military Hospital in England and was repatriated to Winnipeg, admitted to Fort Osborne Military Hospital and later the Veteran’s Deer Lodge Hospital. Further surgery was required due to a chronic draining back wound enclosing remnants of shrapnel and battle dress. He would remain in Deer Lodge Hospital for one year. 

On discharge from Deer Lodge Hospital, Raymond was proud to return to the Pengelly farm which was located three miles from the little prairie town of Cromer, Manitoba. He was determined to resume farming with his family. One mile south was the Kotylak farm where his future wife, Elaine Kotylak, lived with her parents. Raymond and Elaine were married on November 28, 1951, in St. Paul’s United Church in Virden. Elaine gave birth to four children between the years of 1952 and 1963. The generous hearts of Raymond and Elaine led to the adoption of two other children in need.     

Raymond played hard ball and curled in Cromer and the neighboring towns of Ebor, Reston and Sinclair. Although the gunshot wound left Raymond with a constant companion pain which affected his ability to enjoy the life he knew prior to the war, he imparted his enthusiasm and love of sports, horses and family to this children and grandchildren. 

Raymond was awarded the following medals:

The 1939-1945 Star Battle of Britain

The Italy Star 1943-1945

The France and Germany Star 1944-1945

The Defence Medal 1939-1945

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Bar 1939-1945

The 1939-1945 War Medal

Of interest, Raymond was one of three Pengelly brothers who volunteered to serve in World War II. Orland and Irvin enlisted in Winnipeg, served and returned home. 

Raymond’s son Michael lives in Virden and daughter Geraldine lives in Brandon. 

Raymond was a loving father and grandfather. He gave his unconditional love, kindness and energy to his family and enjoyed all the children in his life, including extended family of nieces and nephews. 

Raymond passed away in April 2000 and is deeply missed. Raymond always had a twinkle in his bright blue eyes and will be remembered for his warm and heartfelt laugh. 

The banner for Raymond Pengelly was sponsored by Helen Pengelly of Victoria, British Columbia as well as Michael Pengelly, sister Geraldine Andrews (Pengelly), and families.

Douglas Llewellyn Pierce    Pipestone, MB     WWII

Doug was born in Indian Head, Saskatchewan in 1918. He enrolled in the non-permanent active militia of Canada on October 9, 1940. He was ranked as Sergeant and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Winnipeg Rifles as a Driver Mechanic, Group C.

Doug married Catherine O’Brien on April 14, 1945 in Brighton, England. Doug returned to Canada first with Kay following six months later. She found this country much different and did not return to England for another 18 years. They moved to Pipestone where they farmed for 18 years and raised three children, Patricia, James (Jim) and Bill. Doug was one of the key figures in promoting the South West Manitoba Feeder Sales in Pipestone and was its secretary until 1964. Doug was also a member of the Pipestone Legion Branch 230. 

They moved to Brandon, Manitoba where Doug was employed by the government for Man-Power for nearly a year. He then took a job as a Government Agriculture Products Inspector for Pool Packers until 1969 when he moved to Neepawa as Primary Products Inspector at the processors poultry plant. Doug passed away at work in Neepawa on August 9, 1971 at the age of fifty three. 

Doug is buried in the Pipestone Cemetery. 

The banner for Douglas Pierce was sponsored by the Pierce and Hamel Families. 

James Burton (Burt) Pierce      Reston, MB     WWII

Burt was born on September 22, 1914, on Sec 18-6-20 in the RM of Albert, Manitoba, the fifth child of Jim and Rose Pierce. He had two brothers and three sisters. Except for a period spent with the Canadian Army (1943-1944), he was a lifelong resident of Reston, Manitoba.

Burt started his working career as a delivery boy for G.S. Munro Company Ltd., at the age of 16 years old.

On September 5, 1938 Burt married Mary Alice Davreux of Hartney. “It was a joint decision for Burt to volunteer,” said Alice. “One of the reasons for volunteering was because his two brothers, George and Wib, were already enlisted.” Alice travelled to Winnipeg to see Burt off. “It was a lonely feeling; you cried a little, talked a lot and wondered, ‘Is he coming back?”

Alice returned home and stayed with her parents on their farm near Hartney. She sent love, care packages, baking and lots of letters along with the Hartney Star and the Reston Recorder. 

Burt trained in the Army Department to work in the Army Stores, where they would issue rations, uniforms and personal supplies. Burt never went overseas, he was discharged after five months with a Dysfunctional Heart Discharge on May 17, 1944, at the age of 29 years, 8 months. Alice travelled to Winnipeg, getting on the train in Souris. They had a lot of decisions to make – What were we going to do? Where are we going to live?

When they returned to Reston, Burt got a job with R.C. Bulloch at the general store that is now Reston Fine Foods. On November 6, 1948 they were blessed with a son, Garth Burton Pierce. Sadly he passed away in 1979. Burt and Alice retired in 1977. 

Except for the annual Reston bonspiel, Burt didn’t have time for sports but lots of time for Reston, and always, “his Alice.” Burt loved helping Restonites, giving advice, a lift, fund raising, estate and how many times was he an usher in the Reston United Church.

Burt was a Mason, a Lion, on the Chamber of Commerce, the Heritage Committee and many more. He helped start the Alstone Lodge and helped with the hospital. His fingerprints are on most things that happened in Reston over his 90 year life. Burt was a constant promoter of Reston: its people and lifestyle. 

Burt liked washing his car on Sunday mornings. After he lost his leg, Burt liked bombing around on his scooter always grinning and enjoying his new found freedom.

Private James Burton Pierce lived a good life, leaving Alice one last time on December 25, 2003 at the age of 89 years. 

The banner for Burt Pierce was sponsored by his Penno nieces and nephews. 

M. Rayment Pigg was born October 29, 1896 in Buntingford, England, the third child of Edmund (1854-1908) and Lucy Isabel Pigg (1867-1931). By the time they emigrated to Canada in 1903 or 1904, there were seven children: Murielle, Norah, Rayment, Montague, Ena, Mona and Dorothy. They settled in Pipestone, MB. Edmund returned to England after a short stay in Canada and never returned to his family. Lucy managed to raise her large family by taking in boarders and teaching piano lessons. 

Rayment enlisted in Winnipeg on November 12, 1915. His trade is listed as “clerk” on the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force Attestation paper. He was originally in the 100th Battalion of the Winnipeg Grenadiers but later the 78th Bn. Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regt.). He sailed from Halifax aboard the SS Empress of Britain on May 20, 1916 and arrived in Liverpool, England ten days later. His military records state he “proceeded for service overseas” from Southampton on August 12, 1916 and disembarked in Havre, France the following day. Just four days before leaving England, on August 8, 1916 he wrote his Military Will: “In the event of my death I give all my property and effects to my Mother Mrs. Lucy Isabell Pigg, Reston, Manitoba, Canada.” Exactly six months after leaving Canada, on November 20, 1916, at the age of 20, Rayment was killed in the trenches north of Courcelette, France. His body was never found so he has no burial site but his name is inscribed and he is “remembered with honour” on the Vimy Memorial in France. He is also remembered on a headstone along with his parents in Reston cemetery. His military records state “he is not eligible for the 1914-15 star” but was awarded a Memorial Cross.

 Rayment’s name was printed as Raymond on his enlistment papers (he signed this document) and continued to have this incorrect spelling on most of the documents in his Military Record. He has even used this spelling when he wrote his will – he probably got tired of trying to correct it by that time! There is a note on one paper that says “name changed per letter from Mrs. Pigg 6/3/16” and Raymond is changed to Rayment on that one document. However, in recent years, when checking the Book of Remembrance in Ottawa, his name remains as Raymond. 

His oldest sister Murielle married George Milliken of Reston and she often mentioned Rayment to family members. Imagine how she must have felt when her son, Jim, enlisted in WWII in 1941 and how she must have worried and prayed during the four years he was overseas.

Some of Rayment’s family remained in the Reston area: Monty, Mona, and Dorothy (George) Guthrie. Ena married Russell Miller and, after his death in a train accident, she lived in Alberta and BC. Norah married Bill McNeill of Strathmore, AB.

The banner for Rayment Pigg was sponsored by his Great Niece Marilee Smeltz. 

Lieutenant Colonel John Grant Rattray     Pipestone   WWI & WWII

Educator, businessman, municipal officer, political campaigner, civil servant, soldier

John Rattray was born at Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland on January 15, 1867. He was the son of Alexander Rattray and Jean Tennant who immigrated to Canada around 1873 where they first settled in Middlesex County in Ontario before coming to Pipestone in 1882.  John stayed behind in Ottawa where he graduated from the Ottawa Normal School. He then came to Pipestone in 1890 where he became the community’s first school teacher. He later operated a hardware store and was a land inspector for Canada Life Assurance for some years.  John served as Reeve of the Municipality of Pipestone from 1902 – 1904. In 1905 he attended the founding meeting of the Union of Manitoba municipalities. John had a penchant for politics and he was the Liberal candidate for the Virden constituency in the 1907 provincial election. John married Emily Wallace in 1895 and a daughter Bessie born in Pipestone in 1900. 

John was active in military affairs joining the 19th Manitoba Dragoons and in 1910 he raised the 20th Border Horse. At the onset of WWI as commander of the 20th Border Horse, he organized the 10th Battalion at Valcartier, Quebec the training base of the Canadian Expeditionary Force where the first contingent assembled in September 1914.  He was dismissed by Militia Military Minister Hughes and replaced by Russell Boyle, it was suspect because of Rattray’s affiliation with the Liberal party.  Although humiliated, Rattray managed to secure a staff officer position in England in 1914. When Boyle was killed at Ypres, Rattray was recalled to command his original unit and remained on the front for fifteen months. He then returned to England to organize a training brigade at Bramshatt Camps until 1918. In 1919 he returned to Canada with the rank of Colonel. In 1916 he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order medal which is awarded for leadership during active operations against the enemy. He was made a Companion of the order of St. Michael and St. George (1918). 

After the war Colonel Rattray returned to Manitoba where he lived in Winnipeg from1919-1927 and was a land Inspector with Osier Hammond and Nantan. He was appointed to head the Manitoba Provincial Police. However his time in this position was not without controversy beginning with allegations of anti-Semitism and then a botched robbery in of all places his hometown of Pipestone in 1922. As head of police Rattray was notified that Pipestone was a possible target of the hit and run bandits that were plaguing Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota at the time. The R.C.M.P. offered their assistance but Commissioner Rattray did not want to give up any authority and so civilian night patrols were formed. On October 22, 1922 Saskatchewan Provincial Police received information that a gang was going to raid the bank in Pipestone and phoned Winnipeg to inform Rattray but he was not available. The culprits arrived about 3 am with only Constable Tullock of Reston and his posse of local citizens who started to shoot into the front of the bank. Some 17 shots later the bandits fled back to Saskatchewan. When word of what happened in Pipestone reached Winnipeg everyone questioned the effectiveness of the Provincial Police and Commissioner Colonel Rattray was suspended and finally dismissed. 

Colonel Rattray and his family relocated to Ottawa in 1927 when he was appointed to the Soldier Settlement Board. He was Chairman of the Veteran’s Assistance Commission and was in charge of the Conscientious Objectors camps during the Second World War. He continued to be active in veteran’s affairs and was elected president of his local Canadian Legion branch in 1935. He became Chairman of the Old Veterans’ Assistance Commission and compiled a report of the state of veterans in Canada. 

Rattray was a prominent figure in Ottawa social circles where he golfed and curled. He was nominated by the Liberals to run in Ottawa West but at the age of 73 he stepped aside before the 1940 federal election. 

Colonel John Grant Rattray died in Ottawa on June 23, 1944 and was brought home to Pipestone. The funeral for Colonel Rattray was held in the Pipestone Memorial Hall on June 27th,  he was buried by his parents and wife, Emily, who had passed ten years earlier. Bessie Rattray died in Ottawa in 1997 at the age of 97. Her name is inscribed on her parent’s headstone. 

The information on Colonel Rattray was taken from several sources and compiled to tell his story. His obituary described Colonel Rattray or J.G. as he was best known in the area as one of the district’s most distinguished and esteemed citizens. He was active in everything in the district and always gave his best to any good cause. He was a man of many talents but we will end his biography with this description of him from his daughter, Bessie. 

 “During his many years in Pipestone he was superintendent of the Sunday School. For a number of years he treated the village to a show of fire-crackers on May 24th.”

We thank sponsors who step forward to honor the veterans to whom we cannot find family connections. The banner for Colonel John Grant Rattray was sponsored by the Turnbull Family. 

William George Rattray (Bill) was born to William and Margaret Rattray in Virden, Manitoba on November 6, 1913. He and his brother and four sisters were raised on a farm in the Boss Hill area, where in spite of hard work and tough times, they enjoyed caring for the animals, playing cards, dancing and neighborly socializing. These were all skills and activities that Bill continued to enjoy throughout his lifetime. In 1926, after finishing Grade 7 at Boss Hill School he worked as a hired man around the district and then traveled to eastern Manitoba to work in the lumber camps.

In June, 1940, Bill was still working east of Winnipeg, when he enlisted in the Army with The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders unit of the Canadian Active Service Force. After a couple of days at the Winnipeg depot, he was sent to Shilo, Manitoba. His younger sister recalled that he was scheduled to come home for Christmas in December, 1940, but was instead posted overseas. He traveled from Shilo to Halifax to embark on his voyage to Gourock, Scotland and then to Witley, England. Events during the period of January, 1941 and August, 1942 included taking Privileged leaves, being injured and hospitalized for three months, and being promoted from Private to Lance Corporal. If there is anything that may have brought pleasure to Bill’s experiences during this troubled time, it was most likely that on his leaves he was able to journey to Dundee, Scotland to meet and be welcomed by his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He so appreciated his times with them.

In August, 1942 Bill was captured during the Dieppe Raid and spent the next 2 ¾ years in a German Prisoner of War Camp. Records show he was subjected to harsh conditions and sometimes severe maltreatment, but he spoke very little to anyone about the raid or the camp. His family back home in Woodnorth had been notified on August 22, 1942 that he was missing and on September 25, 1942 that the Red Cross had located him. They began sending him food parcels, wrapped in brown paper and sewed in cotton. On May 10, 1945 Bill was reported “now safe in U.K.” and on August 20, 1945, in Winnipeg, he was discharged. 

He was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM), the 1939-1945 Star, the Defence Medal, and the War Medal 1939-1945.

When he returned to Woodnorth, his parents moved into the village, and he took over and expanded the farm. At a dance in Woodnorth, Bill met Ruby Olenick, who was originally from Reston, Manitoba and currently teaching school at Boss Hill. They married in October, 1947 and welcomed a son Jim, in June, 1950 and a daughter, Gail in July, 1956. They enjoyed working the farm together, as well as playing cards, (usually bridge) with friends, attending dances, curling and visiting with family and friends. In 1968, Bill and Ruby sold the Woodnorth farm and purchased a farm nine miles south of Elkhorn, Manitoba. Another one of Bill’s hobbies was gardening and this farm had a beautiful yard with fruit trees, flowers and a shelterbelt. They sold and moved from this farm in 1974, due to health concerns. After a temporary (2 year) stop in Hargrave, Bill and Ruby “retired” to the village of Elkhorn, Manitoba in 1976.

Bill passed away in September, 1984. He was a quiet, gentle and kind man, who was always ready and willing to help anyone. Ruby missed him every day until her passing in February, 2015. Jim and his wife, Betty Ann Grant, settled and remain in Alameda, Saskatchewan since the 1970’s. Their son, Bill, lives in Alberta and their daughter Lana and her husband, Bill Trider, live in Melita, Manitoba. Gail and her husband, Dave Meyer, and son Andrew live in Winnipeg.

The banner for Bill Rattray was sponsored by The Rattray Family.