Profiles of ww2 veterans - Marmora, Ontario by Marmora History

Lest We Forget

Profile of a Marmora soldier submitted by Gerald Belanger As we gaze upon the solemn cenotaph now peac~fully positioned on the north-western corner .of the Village park, we notice 12 names eternally etched m the steel gray side wings. . Names alphabetically arranged as if once removed from an old military roll-call book: Bonter, Brawley, Callery, Linn,Maloney, Nash, O'Brien, O'Connor.Regan, Reeves, Wilson and Wright. One can almost visualize each soldier snapping to attention and answering his name "Here, Sir" Located directl y above the names are the ye~rs ".19391945" uniformally cut deep in the garnet and highlighted in block black lithochrome. It is during those few years that 12 of Marmora' s finest and fittest young men died for their country. They would never return home again, not even for bunal purposes. We now profile one of these soldiers: Robert J. Wright - C4580 Robert J. Wright was born in Marmora, Ontario, on February 25, 1923. He was the son of Bruce W. Wright, a veteran of World War I, who had enlisted with the 155 Battalion. In 1933, Robert was attending the second class at the Marmora Public School. His classmates that year were: Doris Bedore, Isobel Hickey, Shirley Lummis, Cecil Nobes, Forest Robson and Victor Neal. Reference: Marmora Herald, July 6, 1933 By 1935, school attendance was only compulsory for children between the ages of eight and 14. This ruling at the time would later assist Robert in his desire to enlist with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. . In 1936another incident, although unrelated at the time but one that would certainly toughen Robert up for the military life later on, was the fact that the local Continuation School did not have a proper water system. The School, which had opened on September 7, 1920, was the onl y school in the County that had no pure drinking water, no place to wash and no proper toilet facilities. Reference: Marmora Herald, July 23, 1936

By the time Robert reached his 16th birthday, he had already enlisted at Madoc, Ontario, with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. As a result, he was sent immediately for military training which was being held at the Picton fairgrounds until December 17, 1939. Robert left Picton by train for Halifax, Nova Scotia: then, hooked up with his Regiment which sailed overseas on December 23. N\ hR-Y'I'6

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Although under the required age limit (18 years), Robert was almost six feet tall and looked every bit the soldier. Whether Robert fudged or winked at the recruiting officer when asked his age, we will never know. Robert celebrated his 17th birthday with the first contingentofthe Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment (now nicknamed the Hasty P's) which had now settled in at the Ma路ida Barracks, Aldershot Command, England. It is believed that at the time, Robert Wright was the youngest Canadian soldier to go overseas (certainly the youngest from this part of Ontario), wrote the Marmora Herald in a long detailed article on February 29, 1940. In December, 1940, Robert wrote to thank his mother and the Marmora Community War Workers for sending Christmas boxes to all the local boys who had enlisted. Each box contained a Christmas cake in bright wrapping paper, a pair of socks, a pair of gloves, 50 cigarettes, cake of chocolate, candy, dates, gum, 10 tea bags, 2 khaki handkerchiefs, a can of chicken and a can of apple juice. Robert wrote anotherlettertohis mother, this time from his hospital bed in North Africa. He writes, "I got wounded on July 15, 1943, but I'll be out of here in a few weeks and back with the boys. I just got off my motorcycle when a shell hit the gas tank and it went up in flames. I've found out the Germans are playing for keeps. When they oper路ated on my arm, they took off my shirt, boots, socks, wrist watch and paybook, and all I had on was my drill shorts." Reference: Marmora Herald, August 19, 1943 The next letter his mother received was from Lieut. Robert Scott, and he writes: "I feel it is my duty as a Marmora boy to drop a line at this time about the passing of your son Bob, as he was known to us. Yes, Bob was plucked from our midst on the night of Feb. 8, 1944, killed in action. An enemy shell came down in the vicinity to where his section was doing a standing patrol. I think Bob was the Corporal in charge of the section together with Sgt. Fitizpatrick of Cordova. I know you will appreciate this little bit of information and you will be glad to know I have visited his grave and had same nicely fixed up." Reference: Marmora Herald, March 16, 1944 On June 20. 1943, at St. Andrews United Church. Marmora, Mrs. Daniel Osbome, mother of Ray and Georgc Osbome. (both World War II veterans) unveiled an Honour Roll containing over 60 names of those on acti vc service from the Marmora congregation. Robert Wright's name is on this Honour Roll, which is presently hanging on the wall just before you enter the main body of the United Church. Reference: Marmora Herald, June 24, 1943

Profile of Marinora soldier: researched and complied by Gerald Belanger Thomas Joseph Maloney was born on June 21 sr, 1923, in Marmora Township. He was the only son of Michael Joseph Maloney and Rose McA voy. After the sudden death of his first wife, Lillian Eliza-. beth Cook, Thomas' father decided to sell his farm and purchase a store and a spare building lot on Forsythe Street from Mr. H.J. Clarke. Michael first went into partnership with Charles A. McWilliams in April 1916, and later with George Forestell. Together. the two men built a modern garage on the spare lot/iimd established the first General Motors dealership in Marrnora. selling the new Chevrolet motor car that was now coming into general use in the village. The Marmora Herald newspaper, on April 27, 1916, contained the following: "They are also excavating for an underground tank which will be placed in front of the garage about five feet below the surface of the ground. The 路tank ~will hold 10 barrels and will be fitted w~h an up-todate automatic pump." Thomas. Maurice Margaret. and his step-sister, Lillian Elizabeth, would all attend the Sacred Heart Church and Separate School in Mannora. Thomas' senior grade three classmates were: Thornas J. Byrnes, Thomas D. O'Connor and Frances Bertrand Parcels. Before he enlisted, Thomas started working part-time for T.J. Byrnes. as a grocery clerk, in his Red & White Store located on Forsythe Street. He also worked at the Deloro Smelting & Refining Co. Ltd until 1942. Thomas enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on October Sth, 1942, at Ottawa, Ontario. After enlistment. Thomas would complete his military training to become a Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WAG) at the following Canadian Military Bases or Depots:

~ Lachine, Quebec (5 MD) - Taken on Strength (TOS) - Nov. 16, 1942 - Struck Off Strength (SOS) - Jan. 31, 1943;

Queen's University, Kingston (PAED) - TOS: Feb. I, 1943 - SOS: April 2, 1943

Calgary, Alberta, (2 WS) - TOS: April 3, 1943 - SOS: Oct. 16, 1943

Mountain View, Trenton (6 BGS) - TOS: Oct. 17. 1943 - SOS: Dec. 13, 1943

Lachine, Quebec, (1 Y) - TOS: Dec. 14, 1943 - SOS: Feb. 14, 1944 While overseas, Thomas was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant on August 29, 1944. and four months later. on December 28, 1944, he became a Pilot Officer (P/O). He was assigned to the 419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita), and made at least 16 dangerous tlights as a WAG over enemy territory. As often was the case, after tlying day and night missions and encountering the usual heavy resistance from the enemy ground ack-ack guns and/or fighter aircraft, soldiers were granted a short leave before returning to further tlying missions. Sergeant Russell (Rusty) Hegadoren. an RCAF Rear Air Gunner. also from Marmora. writes: "In December. 1944. during Christmas week. I was granted short leave before being posted to No. 4 Bomber Command. No. 102 Squadron. Pocklington. Yorkshire, England. This Squadron flew the Halifax

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Thomas Joseph Maloney bomber aircraft. Gelsenkirchen / Buer, Germany during One of my favourite places to visit during leave was an evening attack against Scholven / Edinburgh, Scotland. I eventually dropped into a pub on Buer, Germany Princess Street to enjoy a few suds or two. and much to Air Gunner Maloney was buried at my surprise was greeted by Thomas "Todds" Maloney, . Gelsenkirchen / Buer, Germany. there for the same reason as was on my mind. exhumed and reburied in the Being Christmas, our non-scheduled meeting, my Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. birthday on Christmas Day, celebrating the ripe age of 19 Kleve, Germany." was, we decided, reason enough to celebrate. We discussed our crew members and compared After Thomas was shot down. his family received the the Lancester aircraft to the Halifax aircraft, eventually RCAF Operational Wings. a Certificate of his Services. getting around to chatting about what might be going on his Log Book containing a record of his flights and various back in Marmora, and how grateful we were to the Red circumstances connected with them, and his rosary. Cross, our families, friends and church groups, for their The rosary was a gift from his sister. Maurice. It was many packages of gum, candy, cigs and clothing. miraculously found by an English soldier. who mailed it back to the family still intact in its original small leather We wondered about the guys and gals back home case. It is now a treasured memory of the life of a brother serving in the different Services. Names we remembered who lived and died for the love of his country. together included: "Bud" Loveless, "Hawk" Trumble. Thomas Maloney's name is one of the 12 eternally "Mac" Reeves, Phyllis Murnby, Pat Brawley, Bob and etched in the steel gray side wings of the cenotaph. located Percy Gray, and Lois Buskard. Lois and I had previously near the shores of the Crowe River in Memorial Park. The met when she first arrived at the RCAF Station in others who died during World War II include: Bonter. Innsworth, England. Brawley, Callery, Linn, Nash, O' Brien, O'Connor. Regan, After a lengthy visit, Todd and I shook hands with Reeves. Wilson and Wright. a final farewell and good luck and went on our separate ways:' A few days later PlO Thomas Maloney was reported missing in action. His Squadron declared him "Presumed Dead for Official Purposes" on December 29. 1944. In the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Book "Thou Shalt Grow Not Old" on page 416 it reads: "Maloney, Thomas Joseph PlO (WAG) J93688 I R 188962. From Marmora, Ontario. Killed in action, Dec. 29/44, age 21. Number 419 Moose Squadron. Target Scholven / Buer. Germany

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Note: Robert J. Wright was profiled in the Nov. 5. 1996 Remembrance Day Special.

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soldier: James JohnNask Written and compiled by, Gerald Belanger J ames J 0110 N ash was born on April 17th, 1908, in the County of Somerset, Bath, England. '. He was the son of John James Nash and Anne Fell. Vel)' little is known about his family life. It is obvious i some-form of hardship] struck the' family in these I early years because J ames I was put in the care of the i Barnardo Homes. These homes took in many children who had been abandoned by their families. The 'CreamoftheHomes' were sent abroad. Canadianfarmers' sons were deserting the countryside and rushingoff to city pursuits. The farmers were in search of help for which they had a great need but vel)' little money. When threats of war broke out, the emigration cycle to Canada ceased' between the. years 191p and 1919. After the war, burdened with volume~_oLl!~Jv _~rQhl!l!s, Barnardo's sent out its first 'post-wm-party. It is believed that James came to Canada during this period, He wa~ approximately twelve years of age when he arrived at the Barnardo Home in Belleville, Ontario, where he stayed a short while before being sent to a farm in the Campbellford area.

On December 4,1929, James married Lena Mal)' Wells, the daughter of Richard Henry Wells, and Eliza J ane Bonter at Campbellford. They had three' children; Joan Gertrude, Douglas J ames, who died I on August7, 1935, and Jean , Rosalie. J ames usually, found work as a labourer around the Marmora area. He helped on the construction on Number 7 Highway' when it cut its way through the Village. The Marmora , Herald dated October 12' and 19, 1933 wrote. , 'An announcementvin regard to No. 7 Highway, or that portion of it running through MaI'I!10HLJ~LMa-=doe, is expected at ail early date. The-route outlined starts at the section West of'. Marmora, constructed by, the McN anara Construction: Company a couple of years I ag;o and run,~easterly, to tb, Village.cutting through the hill West of Crowe River; North of the present road so as to make a direct approach to the new bridge.rwhich I will be constructed oil the site of the present one. "Work on the No. 7High~ way will start early in November. It is estimated 1000 men may be employed all ,through the winter months. " On September 11, 1939, at Madoc, Ontario, both James and Robert J. Wright signed their military Attestation Papers to join. the Hastings and Prince Edward Eastern Regiment (Hasty Pees) for overseas active duties. Wright's regimental number was C4580 and Nash's number war C458l. ;~

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On December 19, 1939, only three months after enlistment.Nashleft Montreal for Halifax,Nova Scotia. From Halifax, he sailed to ,England. During the next seven months J ames would embark and dis-embark several times from either Plymouth, England or Brest, Fiance. Very little is known about the other members of the Nash family. However, we do know that while sta-. tioned in England, James would often visit his sister, Gertrude. This" would explain why he had to forfeit one day's pay for being away without leave (AWOL). Another fact disI covered in his mil itary records, was that on April 30, 1943, and henceforth, all military fonus bearing his name would be changed to reflect his first names as JamesJohn and not James Albert Nash. Nash deplored violence and therefore volunteered to a6t as 'Stretcher Bearer' throughout the war. His task was indeed difficult and required great compassion and concern as he had to carry out his comrades from behind enemy lines -to safety. ' On October 22, 1943, Pte. N ash was officially declared missing in action. On October 29th, 1943 he died from pneumonia while a prisoner of war (POW) atCamp Stalag, 18A, Gerniany.

He was initially buried at Edling Cemetery in the small villageofSpittal, near the Drau River in Austria, Later he was re-interred at Klagenfurt British Empire, Klagenfurt, Austria in Plot A. Row A. Grave 12, Military records indicate 'he was again re-interred at Villanova Canadian Cemetery, Villanova, Italy in Plot 1, Row C, lA. . When N ash's wife received official notification from the Director of Records, .Ottawa, Ontario, that her husband had died while a POW, she had a little time to grieve. Her life would be changed by the news that the letter carried. She stopped receiving that portion ,of his pay allotted Tor family support. Instead, she received a Widow's War Pension. At the time,it was about $40 per month. Even back then, it was not much to support herself and her two daughters. Jean was just starting Public :School in Marmora and Jcan a teenager.

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During ,the Remem-'.brance Day Ceremonies of "November, 1978, Lena, aged 78, laid a wreath on the steps of the Memorial Building in Marmora. Lena _Na~!t, born on August 26, , 1900' dIea'--on August 11, ';1985 and is buried at the Marmora Protestant Cernetery. She and her daughters had lived most of their lives at 12 North Hastings Avenue, Manuora, Ontario. t-t-Ae..MOI2.A

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Dear Editor, Iri my itofile'of Jaril~~";; Jolm Nas!'(that appeared inl the Marmora Herald dated I November 7, 1998 I wrote;' "She (Mrs. Nash) stopp~d:: receiving that portion of his";: pay allotted for family stip~.$ port. Instead, she receiyeq'i. a Widow's War Pensloi{·?,'i: At the time, it was $40 per month. ";,):'/

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, I have recent lv readri~;f~ article, from the' Manlloiii';':l Herald dated September·7';1 1939 in which if said; '>Y1 "Private soldier' s payfor~:! 1939 is $1.)0 a day: w,fS";; $LlO in 1914" -, ,:,··::tt~· . 'Ifhe has dependent;' th~;i additional amount payab'J{<~ to his \~ife is $35 a moii~h'.:~~j For reach dependent childthe ~9!dier will receive~~l allowance of another $12:a >, month. ' , ;/frt;

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,In Private Nash's care,c;; his allotment would have" been $79 per month. Thisi~l made'·'up of the $20 fromhiS~ pay 0[$1.30 a day, $35for;;1 his wife,and $24 for his t\~6'J dependent girls.~;,;;~ -

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1 also mtenctect to mention in the article on J ames Nash, that a street in Mar7 ' mora was named after him.,' What prevented me was the' fact that I had no informa- ' tion when that occurred. AN article from the Marmoraf Herald dated.June 4, 195~:'~ solved the' probleni. It" stated: "Marmora's 'new 'street signs have been erected and they present a smart appear~,~ ance: They are clearly.;; printed in black and white." background and are about ~ the most .attractive stre~t~ signs we have seen any, place. . :.,; Two new streets. Liilli"'fz; and Nash. have been naniea~~J at the south end ofthe\iil~~i: lage. The names were _s~t:, -lected bywritirig the names'S on tl~lag~~eI.at ther0e:-!~ morial Building of Mar;'j mora men who lost their:1 lives fighting overseas ofi' slips of paper and dnm~ing\ one out.' ",' +~C \,. :::'~J.

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Archives Record Sheets concerning Dr. Barnardo,s children immigrating to Canada, indicate that James John Nash was born on February 13th, 1910. James immigrated to Canada aboard the S.S Caronia arriving at the Marchmont Home in Be11evi11e on July 21st, 1923.

Profile of a Canadian Soldier by Gerald Belanger Leo lames O'Connor was born on' October 29, 191'7 at Mannora, Ontario. He was one of the_eight sons and two daughters of Richard 0'Connor and Rose Crawford. Three of the eight sons would join the Canadian army and serve overseas; Richard Earl, Thomas Dennis and Leo James. Because of their age differences, Richard Earl would see action in World War I and then train for World War 11 while Thomas and Leo would go overseas during World'War 11. Leo attended Sacred Heart Separate School in Mannora. His primer classmates in September, 1923 were: Margaret Reynolds, Anna Shannon, Bert Johnston, Cecelia and Marion FlYDll.Leo went on and completed his fouryears of schooling at the Marmora Continuation School, graduating in 1934/ 35. 1ames Shannon' and his brother William officially opened their drug store on Forsyth Street on luly 6, 1933. Leo started working part-time as a clerk in the store and held the job for four years. Previous to his enlistment, he had been called up under the Canadian National Resources Mobilization Act of 1940 (N.B.M.A) and trained at Peterborough's Training Centre Depot 3 for 30 days starting on February 19, 1942. His mother died on May 7, 1941 and his father died onNovember 16, 1942. lust prior to his father's death, Leo had enlisted on April

When Leo 0 Connor 27, 1942 with the Royal cr?ss~ the river valley six returned to active duty, this Rifles of Canada, Canadian nules inland near the Adripart ofltaly has already been Army (C.A.A) at Vernon, atic Sea. The opening of the abandoned as an active batBritish Columbia and was . battle went smoothlyas both tleground by the Allies. The training at New Canadian Divisions crossed American Fifth Army, the Westminister, B.C. .' confidently and easily.up French Corps and the tactiLeo was promoted to the the slopes of the massif. On cal air force had withdrawn rank of Acting Corporal on the high ridge to the north from the Gothic' Line and July 18, 1942 at Nanaimo, the Germans waited unde~ were preparing for the seaB.C. and a full Corporal on tected. With an unheard of bom~'.j.Qvasion路o( southern November 23 at New target before them, the enFnfrice:~%at~eniaiIled 'of Westminister. On Decememy observers concentrated ber 29, he proceeded to No. the Eighth Army was some at least thirty guns, includreconstituted divisions of 5 District Depot (50.0), ing several 21-cm calibre, Quebec City until January the defeated Italian forces, on the unsuspecting Eighth starved tor men ana weap6, 1943where he completed Anny and at a given signal ons. In reality it had behis training before .going opened fire. come a pauper army. How'overseas. Leo left Debert, This is where; on August ever, it was up to the Eighth Nova Scotia on February 5, 28, 1944, CpI. Leo James Army's commanding of1943 and disembarked on O'Connor E-52887 of the ficer, General Leese, to conFebruary 13 at the ,5th CaPrincess Patricia's Canavince Hitler that his forces nadian Infantry Reinforcedian Light Infantry posed a threat to Austria or mentUnit (5.C.I.R-U) in the (p.P.C.L.I) was killed in southern Germany. And so, United Kingdom. '.',.' action. His comrades would the Eighth Army had to atThe Marmora Herald ;bury him a few miles fro~ tack, again and again. In dated April 22, 1943 wrote; the town of Pesaro and later order to continue this de- . he would be re-interred and "In a letter received from ception, Leese decided to CpI. Leo O'Connor, he buried in the Canadian attack where there-was a writes of having a weekend ArIDy Cemetery at Ortona, narrow gap less than ten .visit:withhis younger Italy of .Isola del Piano, miles wide '~between' the brother Pte. Toni 0' Connor grave路 one. . . shoulders of the Apennines #C6438 who' went overseas Leo O'Connor's name is and the Adriatic Sea. On in 1941. Leo arrived overinscribed in the grey granAugust 23rd,theEighth seas the early part of this . ite wings of the Cenotaph Anny reached the Matauro year. If was a happy event presently located in the le.River and on August 25th, gion Park on the east side of for the brothers to be tothree hundred guns ithun-: the Crowe River. His name gether again for a couple of dered along the Front The . is also on his parents' updays".. .' First .Canadian Division right monument located at While overseas defending the Gothic Line, CpI. Sacred Heart Cemetery, Marmora .. O'Connor suffered a gunshot wound to the right arm on May 23,1944 and spent f'r.. 'f'<"R fi\ ~ II A the next 23 days recovering. The Gothic Line was a 1~~('1~ strip of coastal complex somethirty miles in depth La ~<SD from south to north. It began at Metauro River and f IS went all the way to the coastal town on Rimini on the Adriatic Sea, It was manned by the best troops the Germans had in Italy.

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Profile 'of a Marmora Airman'

Stewart Millen Bonter (Special to The Herald by Gerald Belanger) Stewart .Bon ter 's family roots go back a long way in the history and development of Marmora, .Stewart Bonter StewartMillen Bonter was bornon September 24, 1918 at Marmora, Ontario. Stew art. attended Beaver 'Creek Public School No. 5 . ;' and later attended Marmora Public School from 1925 until 1931. His Middle School Classmates were, Floyd Loveless, D.onald Prentice "andIda Kouri. Stewart completed his education at the MarmoraContinuation School in 1937. In 'the summer of 1937, Stewart went to the' Gal t Vocational School to study machine shop and drafting. After that he .worked at his father's 'Marble & Calcium Company for a few years.' In 1939, and for the next three years, Stewart worked as a tool setter and was ,the Production Foreman In the. large munition case department at the Canadian Defence Industries .at Brownsburg, .Que-: bee. " .•... :" '.' . : " -: Enlisted in 1942 Stewart enlistedin the RoyalCanadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.) on November 3, 1942 at Montreal, Quebec. it's worth noting that Stewart had previously tried to enlist in the R.c.A.F. on September 1939 at Trenton, Ontario. After completing his basic training, manning depot and. other .similar courses, Stewartleft QUebec and returned to Ontario. He finished the Elementary Flying .7ni.ini.ng· " School (E.F.T.S.)at No. 2, Oshawa, nT'l+., .•.. ;f"\ "',., ""'f"'h~,,""'"

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He went to St. Hubert's, Quebec to take the Service ·Flying Training. Shool (S.F.T.S.) No. 13, finishing on March 19, 1944. on February 25, Stewart Bonter received his Commission asa FlyingOffice (F/O) at St. Hubert's, Quebec. The Marinora Herald wrote the following i.. "After" taking initial training at McGill and Belleville and Elementary Fty- . · ing at :(jshawa,' Stewart Bonter, son of Mr.. & Mrs. John Bonier ofMarmora , Township, received his Wings and Commission at St. Hubert's, Quebec, last week. . He is a graduate of the last class ofPilots to be trained there. (It is now connected with Perry Command Manning Pool, etc.) He will complete his training (Commando Course) at Maitland, . Nova Scotia before going Overseas". . Two stories There are two versions as to how Stewart Bonter was shot down while flying over German skies. :This is the Canadian military's version as found in the book "They Shall Grow Not Old" and published by the Commonwealth Air Training Plan ·Museuni Inc., Brandon, Manitoba, Canada>.

-',' -Official 'Version . . On March 'J5, 1945. :while flying over BactGrund, Germany: during a night attack against Misburg, Germany, Stewart's aircraft was hit. ; The Lancaster aircraft No. NEII9 was piloted by Leslie . Norman . Laing. Stewart Banter was the navigator 'when the 'aircraft crashed after being hit. Other crew-member on 'NE119 were: .'FiL Leslie Norman Lalng(PlIot), F/)Doriald :Geo.rge·.·:SIilith '. (Bomb ;:N.ill~r),F/O "lIyde,}li.Sgt 'FrancisJosepbMarsh (Air ~Gumierr3.nd R:A.F. :St D. ;~O!9ARk_~*·JF}.~gh tp.ngi p.e~t)/; ...;.:-:;...Bonter,.and ~ColqUh9Ui(hadorlgiIiail y _beenpost~.d ,to'N~"432 Leaside S~~o~(S.aeitir ,M Lucem) but ~t_the time temporarily' attached to No. .405 Squadron.: Killed in the .crash·:w,ex:e:' : Bo'i1terand ,CQJquh~~.L}ung, srllith ari<:t~;,,!sch were' captured sh?r.!Ij~'~er -,~_e_c(as~~~d shofby the Gestapo. 'Hyde waswith an Evader or taken as a Prisoner of War (p.O.W.). '

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on"their aircraft: The target that night was a city in the .Ruhrdistrtct of Germany, 'called Hagen. .;Bonter was piloting the Halifax Bomber No. NP689 at the time, told his crew niember to aban,don the aircraft. His crew member were: FIO Vachon (Navigator), FIO Hinchli!1e , (Air Bomber), PlO Darmin Cameron Lawton (Mid-Upper Gunner), PlO Thomas Delmar Scott (Rear Gunner), Warrant Officer Andersen (Wireless Operator) and R.A.F. Sgt D. Colquhoun (Flight Engineer). Only Vachon, Hinchliffe and Andersen survivied the crash and all were either Evaders' or became Prisoners of War,

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â&#x20AC;˘ .After the war' was over, Eldon and his wife visited the Hinchliffe'shome ' in , K3Ieden, British Columbia. , There, Eldon's version of what had happened to his brotherStewart was con, firmed. Eldon and his wife, Margaret also visited the' gravesite of~his brother Stewart at the Reichswald ,Forest War Cemetery in' Kleve, Germany. At the ,Reichswald Cemetery" Stewart 'Bonters 'white' ,cross is surrounded by the , two ,crosses of his crew members, Lawtonand , Colquhoun. Also buried at :.the Reichswald Cemetery is ,'S<:ott.

Final letter , ..' "",, Two month beforehis death, Stewart wroteafinal letter to his pare.~~>

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-'~~omeho~ Ialways Imitgin.~ I.,shouldJear p~a~~, But not, well, I guess It IS something like when you are shown'a new andcomplicated job. ' When properly traIned it seems quite e~y., Now I have not the slightest fear. There is only fear of being i>ermanentlyinjuTe~~ that is the thing'I dread. :' '''I would likeyouto keep the name.rBonter'ta name synonymous witheverything that stands.' for, fairness. ,I have tried riot todisgrace it. .Remember going to be callingthe roll as you come up and shall have ,your individual records before me". Love Stewart

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Profile of an airlDan,Vincent Callery By Gerald Belanger Marmora - Vincent Callery was born on March 28,1916, at Deloro, Ontario. His parents, Bernard Brian Callery and Beatrice Ellen Feeney, were married at the Sacred Heart, of Mary Church in Madoc on June 6, 1893. They raised their 12' children in the little village often referred to as the "Valley of Gold". His brothers included William, J oseph, Bernard, Francis, Jarnes Murtagh (Murt), Michael, Frederick and Stafford and his sisters were Beatrice, Zeta and Edith.'-. All of the children atte~ded the Deloro Separate School and later some went to the MarInora Continuation School. Vincent graduated from the Continuation SChool in July 1933. Subjects taught 'in his Form' 11 classes were English, Physics, Arithmetic, Grammar and Zoology. His Form 11 classmates in 1931 included Edith B1!rrons,Sidney Bultuc, Evelyn Bertrand, , Elizabeth Gladneyand Ford Woodhouse,

Several of his brothers started working at the DeIoro Smelting and Refining Co. Ltd. after finishing school. Joseph would later service overseas during World War 1 and Stafford would enlist in the Hasty P's during World War 11. His 'father also worked at the , Deloro plant for many years and maintained a farm located on what is now called Lajoie Road near Deloro. The farm was the old Hector Auger ho'mestead. ' ' From October 1935 until July 1941, Vincent worked at the Mclntyre Mines in Schumacher, Ontario, as a machine operator. After that he worked for ay-ear' as a machine operator at the General Motors plant in Windsor, Ontario. ' ': Vincent had aiways dreamed of'becoming fighter pilotin the Royal Canadian' Air Force (RCAF): On June:'25, 1'942, he enlistedthe RCAF at the, No. 8 " Recruiting Centre in Wind: sor, He completed his basic military duties' at No. 1 Manning Depotin Toronto on August 14, '1942. From there he headed for Technical Training School (ITE ';itSt. Thomas, Ontario. After finishing the TTS course. he was sent to the RCAF sta, tion at Torbay, Newfoundland.

1t was during this phase of his training that tragedy struck and ended Vincent's dream of earning his wings and fighting for his country. On the night of December 12, 1942, a fire broke out in the Knights of Columbus Army Hostel in St. John's, Newfoundland, that was used as sleeping, eating and recreational centre for service men. Of the 3.50 to 400 still in attendance that night, 99 would perish in the fire ,and, another 100 would be treated for severe burns.

According to the Public Enquiry, carried out by the Honoured Justice Dunfield in 1943, it was concluded that: the 'first fire warning inside the- building was at 11:10; , .. , the local military firefighters were on the SCene 'at 11:18; -, - by 11: 15 anybody still trapped inside the building was already dead; . the cause of the fire was suspected arsonin an upstairs storage area.

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The horror of the tragedy was brought' home to the residents of Deloro and Marmora when Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Callery received official notice that their son, Vincent Callery, was one of those who lost _~~iE.lives in the fire. , Other airmen who died included: G. D. Bellerive (lAC), G. E. Burton (ACl), E. R. Chapman (AC2), R. H. Corner (CPL), J. E. Cusack (AC2), L. E. Hoggard ,(LAC),- W~ L. Ibbetson (SGT), J. A. Lawrence (LAC), F. A. Langley (AC1), J. A; Legris (LAC), G. A. Lepine (AC1), S. Ci.Murray (AC1),J. R. Ouellett (LAC), F. J. Sawada (ACt) and J. G, Sturgeon. In Gander,Newfoundland, there is a small cemeterymaintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Over 190 men from Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia are buried there, mostly airmen who died while training at the airbase during World War 11. Vincent Callery #R 164314Aircraftsman Second Class (AC2) is one of those rr' ----" He is not dead, lIe flies again, a phantom plane. ' ' ' His hangar now eternity gained. On Remembrance Day this year, let us observe those twelve names deeply etched in the grey granite of the cenotaph. The names Bouter, Brawley, Callery, Linn, Maloney, Nash, O'Brien, O'Connor, Regan, Reeves, Wilson and Wright are Deloro and Marmora boys who "WE WILL REMEMBER'.

Profile of Charles Brawley Canadian Merchant Navy by Gerald Belanger Marmora - The last warship of the British Royal Navy's North Pacific ~qY.ll.drQQ departed the Esquimalt base in 1906. For nearly 200 years, the Royal Navy had patrolled Canadian waters, keeping intruders out and the Canadian sea lanes open. Since Canada had proclaimed itself an independent Dominion in 1867, the Briti§h-s}lgg~§t~ i!!..1897_tQ!ltt~e_ prosperous colonies should begin to bear the cost of their own naval defence. Thus in 1910, Canada formed the Royal Canadian Navy. On November 7, 1910 the Union Jack was lowered at Esquimalt and the new RCN Union Jack was hoisted. The Royal Canadian Navy about 800 officers and men - was in business. But in the next few years, money to run the navy and enrolment both declined. Funding fell from $1. 7 million in 1910 to $0.6 million in 1914. In 1914, the total strength of the Royal Canadian Navy was 350. The First World War proved that we were a smallship navy. It is one of the ironies of history that the small craft of the Atlantic patrols in the First World War and the corvettes and frigates of the Second World War proved more suitable to Canadians. ~ulin,gJt:0m 871 to 899, it was King Alfred who realized the importanceof a strong British presence at sea. When his ships were not ne'ede'd"forwar purposes, he would rent them to merchants to' import or export their goods - thus the connection between the Royal Navy -and the Merchant Navy.

Shortly after the sudden death of his wife, Elizabeth Davidson, Peter Patrick Brawley (1885-1952) would leave his native Bishopton, Renfreshie, Scotland and come to Canada. Peter would leave his sons, John and Charles, with an aunt while he made his way to Canada. Peter starting working immediately in Omemee, Ontario. He started with a work crew clearing a path for the new. telephone lines running through Eastern Ontario. It was while working in the Marmora area that Peter applied for. and was offered full employment at the Deloro Smelting and Reduction Company. With a guarantee of yearly employment, Peter first married Rose Leo Doyle on April 22, 1914 at the Sacred Heart Church, Marrnora. Rose (1889-1968) was the daughter of Thomas Doy le and Margaret Darrah. It was shortly after this that Peter and Rose sent for his sons, Johri and Charles, to join the family and a new life in the Village of Martnora. In· September of 1917, John would attend the Seniorclass at the Marmora Separate. School and, in 1918;Charles would attend the Juniorclass, By 1920, a Deloro company house became available so the family moved to the Village of Deloro. It was here that John, Charles (born January 2', 1910), Thomas, Mary Rosalie (born April 7, 1919) and Patrick J oseph (born September 30, 1921) would attend the Separate School in

Deloro Village. Charles Brawley always loved adventure. As a young man, he started working on cargo ships travelling the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River system. From this work experience, he moved to larger ocean vessels and finally ended up working for the Dodd, Thompson Company of Care diff, South Wales. The shortage of escort vessels in the first year of the war did not permit the protection of convoys all the way from Canada to the United Kingdom. With the rapid growth of the Royal Canadian Navy, this became possible in 1941. However, by 1942, the German Uboats had sunk over 1,091 Merchant ships in the North Atlantic. Enemy submarines, and armed raiders were roaming the oceans at will. Ships carrying cargo were determined to get through. The safetv and timely arrival of the convoy was the overwhelming only rule. But the men of the Merchant Navy were really civilians. Between 180,000 and 190,000 men served in the British. Merchant Navy, in the Allied Merchant Navy perhaps as many again. The real heroes of the Battle of the Atlantic were the officers and men of the Merchant Service. These man served in no organized force, wore no uniform, earned no recognition or awards. As civilians, they earned a high rate of pay than any naval man but they endured hardships unimagined aboard inadequate ships in defence of the terrors of the wartime North Atlantic.

The SS King Alfred (Sunderland, England) #137268 had a tonnage of 5,272, length of 400 feet, breadth of 52.4 feet and a depth of 28.5 feet. It was Charles Brawley's jc:.baboard the SS King Alfred as a Fireman and Tnmmer to- constantly check and trim the engine boiler rooms which produced the steam for the reciprocating or steam turbine engines. On the night of August 4, 1940, while on duty, Charles Brawley and a crew of seven other men we-re struck in the engine room by a German torpedo. Everyone was lost at sea. As the cold November air from the Crowe River numbs our fingers, let us reflect for a few minutes on the 12 World War Two veterans whose names are inscribed on the grey, granite Cenotaph wings: Bonter, BRA WLEY, Callery, Lion Maloney, O'Connor,

Nash,

O'Brien,

Regan, Reeves, Wilson and Wright.

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'Profile' of a-~:i{lCaI:

(Jil~adian~~ldi~r i

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by"Get:ald

B~langer,"_,.", ; Marmora ',- ':Crother

Hubert.Wilson was .born April 30th, '1920, at Maynooth.Ontario. He was the son ofWeUington Wilson and Laura McClean.~In September'.' 19~2; Crd~er Wilson attended the-Beaver ' CreekPUblic School, ~SNo. 5: 'He graduated from his Senior In'clasS' with honours.vln his class .that year were only, two other studentsvEarl Wilkes .and Theresa' McGdlth. On September 14th,1939, Crother Wilson enlisted at Madoc with the BaSfings and Prince Edward R.~egirrient (H8iPR).Aftd· a-short training, peri'?s! .i,~'Cah~da, he embarked for Halifax on December 19th, 1940. During-the-first few weeks of August, 19~1. he was either at.Plymouth, England or Brest, France for advanced military training. Private Wilson was also admitted to the 9thField Ambulance Hospital between October 13th and 1941. On March 6th,1942, he was penalized two days' pay for being away without leave (A.WL.) for one day ,and 15 1/2 hours. On August s-, 1942, he was appointed Lance Corporal.

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" O[Mhe,'ce,,~mm. ;"b( De-. cernber 71i1, 1943, General Yokes issued hIS' orders'-for another crossing,of the Moro River. The Canadianplans called for an "initial twoprongedassault by the 1st Brigade to, captureBan Leonarde andthe 2~ Brigade ,to seize the divisional objec-: tive. The area waSunmimed, even on, large-scale maps of the area. This mile and a half lane stretching'between tangled vines and crooked olive trees will alwaysbe remembered as "Royal Canadian Avenue" by .the Canadians who fought at the Moro River. ' ' Hardly had the Royal Canadian Regimeflt(R,C.R.) , crossed the start-line on De- ' cernber '8th, when 'it was caught hi heavy barrage of artillery and -mortar: fire: It ,i was hard to keepdfr~tipn; , for the close visibility .was obscured by the tangled vines, which hung in a dense curtain from wires stretched six feet about theground, ID the-early hours, of the morning of December 8th,a strong counter-attack materialized on the Canadian Front. :'~A" Company 'withdrew when it was pinned downby the enemy, but "B'" Company fought 'on. The Germans also withdrew with heavy losses.Including capturing 30 Canadian prisoners by the enemy; It was 'estimated that over 170 Canadians were killed or wounded' during this brief exchange.

, It is suspected that this is how Crother Wilson of "B" Company 'YasKiUed in Ac"tion (K.I.A.). He was quickly buried in an olive grove near Lanciano, Italy. Later, Padre Goforth who had been with the Canadian .companies at Moro River for ,the past four days gave him final blessings. Crother Wilson was re-buried at Moro River Military Cemetery in Ortona, Italy, in Grave 9:Row f, Plot 7. When-the fighting Was over on the 9111 of December, General Montgomery signalled"Hearty congratulations on a day's work and on throwing back the counter-attacks. " Crother Wilson's name is deeply inscribed in the grey granite wings of the cenotaph located at the Memorial Park. Elgin Ray Wilson was also K.I.A. on September 6th, 1943. Another brother, Murray Wilson, had also enlisted with the Canadian 48th Highlanders. His only sister, Mrs. Beryl Blakely presently resides in Eldorado, Ontario. t\\ -PNQ..

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PROFILE

OF A MARMORA

CANADIAN

RONALD MEEHAN

Ronald Meehan Meehan

12th, 1920, at the

farm located north of Marmora.

Ronald was the first

Regan and Mary Edna Meehan.

was born on May 24th, 1895, at Brooklyn April

buried

at the Marmora

Ronald's

brothers

born on January

on March

Protestant

and sisters

Cemetery.

included

;William

James born on February

father remarried

Mary Muriel

Eleanor

Kathleen,

born on March

another

his

sister was born;

28th, 1930.

held at the Marmora

in June, 1938. Some of his schoolmates

Ewart Haacke,

2nd,

2nd, 1929, at the St.

Ronald passed his Upper School Examinations High School

Edward who was

26th, 1925. After

Litt on July

in Peterborough,

November

10th, ~898, in N.Y

2no, 1922 , Helen Elizabeth

Church

s father

18th, 1928. Both are

1923 and Kenneth

John's Anglican

Il i

New York and died

7th, 1968. Mary was born on February

City and died of tuberculosis

OCT, 2005

REGAN

Regan was born on March

son of Wi:J-~iamMichael

SOLDIER

John Gray, Donald Prentice,

that year were;

Mary O'Neill,

Anne

Paquet and Joyce Smith. Prior to his enlistment Vimy Barracks

on September

with the Royal Canadian

Ronald was working

as a Laboratory

Smelting

& Refining

Ronald's

family were military

58th Company brother

He retired received wagon

Forestry

(R.C.C.S),

at the Deloro

as a young boy delivering The marmora Kenneth

His father

head injury

Army during WW 2.

that hE had

dated JunE

Reo a r, has beer, Lv i nc In

WW 1. His

milk from a horse-drawn

Herald

unconscious

served with the

Corps during

with the Canadian

early, due to worsenlng

Assistant

peoplE.

served briefly

in Marmorc.

Corps of Signals

Company.

of the Canadian

Kenneth

28th, 1940 at Kingston's

the Bellevill~

milk

29th, 1939 wrote;

hospital since (having) been hit by a car. He was making the rounds with the Neal boys, delivering milk, and on Main Street, is reported to havE jumped off the milk wagon and run in front of a car. The many friends of Mr & Mrs Regan and family are hoping for a completE recovery" .

His sister, Helen,

joined the Women's

during WW 2. Helen married 1947, in Campbellford Roy served Overseas

After enlistment,

Roy Alexander

Ronald received

Camp Borden,

then to Vocational

Canadian

Training

Signals

Wing,

Centre,

Toronto.

Army

6th, 1941, Ronald was confirmec

Signalman

with

25th he was

the Royal Canadian

(R.C.A.S.C).

On a route training

Infermary)

Parsonage.

Corps Training

(L/Cpl) and on April

as an "A" Electrican

Army Signal Corps

28th,

tank training

to the 1st Canadian

Coy. On February

the rank of Lance Corporal

was admitted

his military

Armoured

24th, 1941, he was attached

qualified

on March

Church

and later at the 4th Division

Ontario,

Brigade

Roberston

at the St. John's United

Barriefielc,

Training

of the R.C.A.F

during WW 2 for 2~ years.

at ;lst Army Brigade

March

Division

excercise

in May, 1942, Ronald

as a patient with

the Emergency

at Mill Road, CambridgE,

low pelvic abscess.

England,

took sick. He

Hospital suffering

(County from a

In a letter home, Ronald writes "1 came in here for a minor appendicitis operation and so far I've had four operations, however, 1 have'nt had one fOl a week now so I'm hoping foy the best".

On July 2nc, he was examined Officer

at the 5th Canadian 11

by Major C.W Clark, General

Hospital.

Commanding

The Major writes

This patient has hac a strone time with peritonitis. Hi~

condition now appears to be improving. He is not well enough to be moved".

Corporal

Ronald Meehan

1942,-of pulmonary

Regan Regiment

embolism

acute appendicitus.

localised

He died at 0840 hours.

July 8th at the Brookwood Grave 5, Row F,

following

# C64468 died on July 4th,

Military

Plot 32. Ronald

peritonitus

Ronald was buried

Cemetery,

Woking,

had spent 644 days'in

England

after on in

the military

service of which 381 days were spent Overseas. Ronald Meehan

Regan!s

Legion B.emorial

at the Marmora

Re se e.r ch ed by

Gerald Belanger Marmora, Ontario P.O Box 431 613-472-2314/)

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1"-.-1

name is inscribed Park.

in the wings

of the cenotaph

PROFILE

MacKENZIE

MacKenzie

parents were married born on August Florence

1st, 1919 in Madoc,

Reeves and Florence

on July 10th, 1917 at Bonarlaw.

12th, 1887 in Madoc

MacKenzie

Cemetery

attended

French,

While attending Regiment

School

14th, 1945. at

in July,

Latin, Chemistry,

Geometry

nigh School, MacKenzie

1932.

1936, with

that year included;

~nd Ancient

joined the Prince

nistory. Edward

from 1932 to 1934.

in Marmora Although

ran the Imperial

Esso Service

Station

located on the corner of No. 7 and No. 14 Highways.

he had enlisted

Recruiting

on December

â&#x201A;Źentre to train as pilot,

that he was able to sell his service Sanderson

4th, 1941 at the Ottawa it wasn:t station

R.C.A.F

until December,

in Marmora

1943,

to William

(1871-1947).

On his recruiting himself

Loomis was

from 1925 until

The Grade 12 subjects

For several years, MacKenzie

Albert

Spry. His

Both are buried

from the Madoc High School

his Junior Matriculation. English,

in Madoc.

the local Public

He later graduated

Ontario

and died on September

died in 1964 at the age of 63 years.

the Lakeview

2006

REEVES

Reeves was born on August

the only son of Loomis Sandfield

26 AUGUST,

OF AN AIRMAN

medical

forms, Reeves wrote

the following

about

â&#x20AC;˘ 1 like to smoke four cigars a day and on occasion like an odd beer ".

On the same form the Medical

Officer

wrote -

" At 202 pounds, he is overweight by 45 pounds, but is physically fit, stable and interacts above average, best suited for pilot Observer " As an Aircraftsman

2nd Class

sent to One Military until May 9th:then Belleville,

Depot

(AC2) , MacKenzie

(#1 M.D),

to Five Initial

Toronto

Training

from May 10th until September

Flying Training

School

(#10 E.F.T.S),

Reeves

#R143774

from April Unit

was

26th, 1942

(#5 I.T.U),

12th ;then to Ten Elementary

Pendleton,

from September

13th

until November (#2 S.F.T.S), On March

21st ithen to Two Service Uplands,

19th, 1943, Group Captain

of #2 S.F.T.U,

Uplands,

class of R.C.A.F Russell

from November

pilots. Among

(Bud) Loveless Group Captain

and if so

they would

and disembarked

presented

iJ87156,

in the United

then on to the 57 Operational

to the graduating

graduates

Belgium,

left Halifax

Kingdom

Flying

Training

Unit

UNit

Reeves was posted Overseas

(#77 P.A.F.U)

(#57 O.T.U)

at Eshott

Aircraft.

His flying

on June 8th, 1944, and was promoted

spent 1,159 days in military

until

to the R.C.A.F .

21st of that year. Altogether

F/O Reeves

(Stalk & Strike)

service of which

(F/S) R.E Barbour was hit

and

disposition, steady night trouble on has a tendency but no serious

739 flying hours with the 403 Squadron

Reeves aircraft

29th he

" A likeable type, good asset to any squadron, flier, should have no operational aircraft, to be over-confident, faults "

Flight Sergeant

Reeves

on May 16th, 1943

on May 24th. On June

flying the Spitfire

at the time wrote

F/o (Pilot) on August

were Floyd

and MacKenzie

26th, 1943. From G.S.U, he was assigned

instructors

Officer

likely come out of this war alive and kicking".

(F/O Reeves

403 Wolf Squadron,

2nd, 1943.

Commanding

wings

Deloro,

School

urged them to excel in their jobs

was sent to the 77 Pilots ~dvanced

October

22nd until April

the Ontario

Sampson

Training

F.A Sampson,

(1919-1990),

of Madoc.

Flying Officer

Ottawa,

Flying

to had

and had

665 days were Overseas.

filed this report on the day

" On March 28th, six aircraft took off at 1126 for a route patrol over the Heerenberg-Borken area in Germany. Reeves called the flight leader and reported that he saw some transport on a road below. With permission of the fli~ht leader, Reeves and myself went down to strafe the above mentioned target. I saw Reeves open fire and

immediately intense light flak concentration opened up on us. We immediately began to climb and turn in directions. I then saw Reeves Spitfire Aircraft XVI, Serial #SM 302 go out of control and dive steeply into a field where it exploded. This occurred about ten miles East of Haltern, Germany at approximately 12:20 hours. No parachute _was opened after been hit "

According

to his Graves Registration

previously

Military

to crashing

Form -

" He was buried at 5 o'clock on April 4th, 1945 in the United States Military Cemetery at Margraten, Holland in Grave 60, Row 3, Plot F which is next to the gravesite of Arthur Oldham #4860807 of the Royal Signals However,

according

Commonwealth

to the book

Air Training

"They Shall Grow Not Old", by the

Museum

Inc., page 633 -

" Reeves was reinterred and is now buried British Cemetery, Nederweert, Limburg, Holland fn Plot IV , Row A, Grave 9 " On October

17th, 1945, Florence

Air Staff, Air Marshall

Leckie

Reeveยง'.name is inscribed

cenotaph.

Researched

Reeves wrote

to the Chief of the

and requested

the following-

Since 1 am the last member of the family, please forward his uniforms, trunks and belongings to me " .

MacKenzie

Robert

by;

Gerald Belanger Marmora, Ontario P.o Box 431 613-472-2314

at both the Madoc

and Marmora