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The Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-11-11, Page 22 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, November 11, 2015 Valerie Gillies Lucknow Sentinel George Taylor is a World War II veteran who was in attendance at the Remembrance Banquet on November 7, 2015, at the Lucknow Legion Branch 309. Guest Speaker for the Remembrance Banquet held November 7, 2015, was former Lucknow resident David Thompson (left) who has recently finished writing his book "Armoured Trains to Wooden Locomotives: A Revised History of 19th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery" of which his father was a member. When Padre Doug Clarke (right) thanked Thompson for his presentation, Thompson reciprocated by presenting Clarke with a copy of his book for the Lucknow Legion Branch 309. Don Ross is a World War II veteran who was in attendance at the Remembrance Banquet on November 7, 2015, at the Lucknow Legion Branch 309. Joan Robinson is recognized as a war bride at Piper Nancy Brown piped in the Head Table guests at the Remembrance Banquet held at the Lucknow the Remembrance Banquet on November 7, Legion Branch 309 on November 7, 2015. Head Table guests from left: Grant Helm, Poppy Chair Phyllis 2015, at the Lucknow Legion Branch 309. Helm, President Craig Crawford, Padre Doug Clarke, Zone C1 Commander Eric Ross, Deb Ross. Remembrance banquet at Lucknow Legion Branch 309 Valerie Gillies Lucknow Sentinel The 2015 Remembrance Banquet was held at the Luc - know Legion Branch 309 on November 7. Annie Pritchard provided piano music prior to and during the banquet, catered by Trinity United Church. Piper Nancy Brown piped the dignitaries to the head table. Branch 309 President Craig Crawford welcomed everyone. Ken Irwin played the trumpet for "Last Post" and the "Reveille" to mark the beginning and end of the silence of remembrance. The guest speaker for the evening was former Lucknow resident David Thompson, who was raised on the main street with his sister Janet by parents Bud and Arnetta Thompson. Thompson took an early inter- est in the Canadian military his- tory. He participated in the Luc - know District High School Cadet Corp and served for three years in 21st Field Regi- ment RCA (Militia) where he earned the rank of Bombardier. He pursued at BA degree in History from Sir Wilfred Laurier University and has continued his interest in military history through his association as a member of Branch 309. Thompson is now retired after 32 years as a teacher and administrator in elementary schools in Wellington County. He has recently written and published a book 'Armoured Trains to Wooden Locomo- tives: A Revised History of 19th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery" which is the Regiment in which his father served. Thompson began his pres- entation by stating that he is a boomer, which means he was born after the war. He is part of the first generation "to live the good life" for which his father's cohort and those before them fought to provide to future gen- erations. Thompson observed that vets from that era have always been very reluctant to talk about their experiences. Due to the passage of time, we are running out of opportuni- ties to record their stories. This is what prompted Thompson to do his indepth research to update a prior history written about World War II. The presentation reviewed an earlier presentation he had given a fewyears back and went on to detail how Thompson found the information he needed to get a full background for writing his book He detailed his own travels to retrace the route that his father's Regiment had taken from Holland into Germany in the last months of World War II. In conclusion, Thompson stressed the importance of passing down the stories of the past to future generations and urges others to record the stories of those who are still around to give first-hand accounts. A copy of Thomp- son's book will be made avail- able at the Lucknow Branch of the Bruce County Library and another copy was presented to Lucknow Branch 309 to be kept by the Branch. Recognition was given to several members of Branch 309. There are currently six members who are WWII vets including George Taylor, Don Ross, Jim Hunter, Bill Park, Warren Wylds and Frank Hawthorne. There is also a Peacekeeper, Ken Elphick. Pins were presented to members for years of service. Ordinary members. 40 years - Frank Hawthorne, 35 years - Bill Park, 30 years - Ken Elphick, 25 years - Angus Cline. Associate members. 40 years - Henry Clark, Leonard Clarke; 35 years - Karen Boak, Dona MacDonald, Bill Moffat, G.O. Ritchie, Dayle Taylor; 30 years - Don Bone, John Bremmner, Les Dokin, Sherry Hanson; 25 years - Brenda Adamson, Marg Fin- lay; 20 years - Addin Daw- son, Hazel Hackett, Jim Hayes, Steve McEwan; 15 years - Dianne Wartnaby.