HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-11-10, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1999.
James Finleon, St. Augustine
Parish, won the Military Medal for
his service. James Finleon had
been on furlough to Ireland. On
Oct. 10, 1918, he drowned in the
Irish Sea. The ship that he was
aboard was torpedoed. Later,
James’ body was recovered and
was buried in Grangegorman
Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland.
Facts on Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day commemorates Canadians who died in the First and
Second World Wars and the Korean War. It is held every Nov. 11.
The first Remembrance Day was conducted in 1919 throughout the
Commonwealth. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated the end
of the First World War on Monday, Nov. 11, 1918 at 11 a.m.
From 1923 to 1931. Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week
in which Nov. 11 fell.
In 1931, MP Allan Neil introduced a bill to hold Armistice Day on a fixed
day — Nov. 11. During the bill’s introduction, it was decided the word
Remembrance would be used instead of Armistice. The bill passed and the-
first Remembrance Day was conducted on Nov. 11, 1931.
Pilot Officer D. K.
Sundercock
Born May 29, 1923
Son of the late Charles
and Ann Sundercock
Blyth, Ontario
Brother of Mrs.
Raymond (Elinor) Neill
Wingham, Ontario
Killed on active serv
ice on the West Coast
Cloverdale, B.C. May
20, 1944
On August 3, 1944 Pearl McNall of
Blyth received word that her hus
band Jack was killed in action July
25, 1944 during the invasion of
France on D Day. Jack was 34
years old at the time and was sur
vived by 7 children - Delores (Mrs.
Jim Howatt) Londesboro, Bernice
(Mrs. Jim Pierce) Blyth, Rhea (Mrs.
Leo Racine) Windsor, Doug McNall
Stratford, June (Mrs. Ken Turner)
Strathroy, Eyvonne (Mrs. Erwin
Schneider) Salford and Elgin
McNall (named after the regiment
Jack was in) St Marys. Jack went
overseas in September, when the
ship was torpedoed and had to
return to Halifax, he came home
on two weeks holidays and again
set out for England on October 8,
1942 where he was stationed until
departing for France. He is buried
in Bretteville Sur Laize cemetery at
Caen France. Many of his immedi
ate family have been fortunate
enough to have visited his grave
in France, including his wife Pearl.
The cemetery is beautifully kept
up with many roses and flowering
shrubs - no weeds or long grass.
His brother George McNall Jr. and
Wellington McNall both served
overseas also but were fortunate
enough to both come back home.
Wellington served as postmaster
of Blyth for many years.
Trooper Arnold David Bowes
Blyth, Ontario
Born Feb. 24, 1924
Son of David and Amanda Bowes
Taken prisoner and shot in
Normandy by Kurt Meyer’s troops.
Was a tank gunner with the First
Hussars, but the B Squadron, in
which he served as virtually
destroyed.
Died June 1944 - 20 years of age
Buried Canadian War Cemetery
Willis Elnor Ross
Machan
killed in action
December 13, 1943
buried in the Azores
He was the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Stanley Machan
of Grey Township
Always loved and
missed by sisters Jean,
Lois, Glenna and sister-
in-law Mabel.
Our brother Ralph died
on April 24 of this year.
Clarence Russell Cook
Born August 1, 1924
Parents - Leonard and Ella Cook
Joined the army in 1943. Went
overseas May 1944, landed on
beach of Normandy, France on
June 10, 1944 with HLI Regiment.
Was wounded on July 8, 1944 at
Buron, France and taken to hospi
tal in England. About four weeks
later returned to Regiment, pro
ceeded through France and
Belgium and into Holland where
he was wounded again on October
17, 1944. Was taken to hospital in
Belgium, then to Colchester, Eng.
Remained there until December 24
when he sailed for home on the
hospital ship “Letitia”. Arrived in
Halifax on January 1, 1945. Spent
three weeks in Westminster
Hospital, London then went to
Christie St. Hospital in Toronto,
remaining there until July 1947.
On August 1, 1947 he married
Marion Garrett. They raised a fam
ily of three sons and four daugh
ters, and now live in Blyth.
In 1939 Stan Alexander joined the
Air Force and was trained as an
airplane engine mechanic. He was
stationed at Trenton, Ontario.
After training he went to
Liverpool, England. From
Liverpool he went through Europe
with the British Air Force of
Occupation. He went through
France, Belgium, Holland and on
to Hamburg, Germany where he
was stationed until 1946.
Robert Leslie Beattie
Born February 10,1913
Joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was sent
overseas to England
Loaned to the Royal Airforce in England and served
with the 138th Special Duty Bomber Squadron
February 1944 shot down over the Alps
Reported missing February 8, 1944
Family later learned he was safe in Gibraltor
Returned home May 20, 1944 but returned to England
to marry. Came home for good May 1946.
Ralph McCrae joined in January
1942, took training in Chilliwack,
B.C., overseas in November 1943.
Served in northwest Europe,
France and Germany. Signed on
for Pacific draft May 12, 1945.
Home on July 12, 1945.
Regrouped and went to Fort
Benning, Georgia for Pacific
training. But then war was over.
Discharged April 12, 1946.