189 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca RADFORD, Bruce W. WWII Bruce was born in Neepawa, Manitoba, in 1917. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces with PPCLI in August 1939, landing in Scotland in December. He transferred to the QOCH in 1941. His sniper training was done in various places in England, Scotland, and Northern Wales. He married Scottish born Elizabeth Ross in Edinburgh on January 24, 1942. Bruce’s regiment landed in France on June 7, 1944, and on August 29th, while acting as Sergeant-Major, he was seriously wounded in combat. His regiment was heavily involved in taking the town of Falaise, and following that success, were working their way further in German held territory. A sniper ended Bruce’s combat battle, and he spent several months recuperating from his injuries in hospitals in France and England. He received the 1939-1945 Star, the Defence Medal, the 1939-45 War Medal, the France/Germany Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Bar, and the Bomber Command Medal (unofficial UK Service Medal for WWII). Bruce passed away from Alzheimer disease on March 29, 2006, and rests in the Veterans’ section of the Minnedosa Cemetery. He was a member of Gladstone, Kelwood and Minnedosa Branches of The Royal Canadian Legion for 61 years. RAMSEY, Arnold WWII Arnold was born in Lauder, Manitoba, in 1919. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Corporal serving in Canada. He had been a member of Hartney Branch #26 of The Royal Canadian Legion for 51 years before he passed away in 1997. RAYNBIRD, Douglas C. KOREA Doug was born in Winnipeg, MB, in 1932. He joined the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry 1st Battalion in July 1950. He received his basic training in Camp Borden, Ontario, and completed his airborne training in Rivers, MB. In October 1951, he began his tour of duty in Korea. Two weeks after his arrival, he was injured while under fire from the North Koreans and was evacuated to a British Commonwealth Hospital in Kure, Japan, and was asked to join a group of Canadian entertainers attached to the 25th Canadian Brigade. Calling themselves the “Johnny Canuck Fun Revue,” they entertained American Troops in and around Tokyo before moving on with two tours of Korea to perform for the troops of the First Commonwealth Division. Doug has been a member of Selkirk Branch #42 of The Royal Canadian Legion for 19 years. RATTIGAN, John “Jack” WWII Jack was born at Sleeman, Ontario, on November 27, 1917. He enlisted with the Air Force on September 29, 1942, at Winnipeg, MB, at age 23, and took his basic training at Prince Albert, SK, and Dauphin, MB, and then off to England where he was promoted to Sgt. Flight Engineer in Bomber Command, Squadron 426. His Halifax Bomber was bombing Munster, Germany, on a day-run when the crew of seven were shot down. The Bomb Aimer was killed, and the others parachuted to safety but were captured and taken prisoner at Stalag VIF at Lubek, Germany, for 42 days. They were liberated by the British 5th and USA armies on May 3, 1945. On discharge at Winnipeg on July 26, 1945, he completed three years of service and returned to work for the CNR as a brakeman/conductor. Jack is a Life Member of the Major Hughes Branch #54 for 59 years, and is still active at age 93.
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