169 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca NURSE, Cecil G. N. F WWII Cecil was born in Wapella, SK in 1914. He joined the Army on May 14, 1939 and served with the Royal Canadian Engineers in the UK, Continental Europe, and France. While there, he was transporting ammunition to the Front when a number of lorries were set on fire. He stopped his truck, jumped into a truck full of explosives and drove through the fire and over a bridge to safety, saving his own lorry and undoubtedly the lives of many soldiers and civilians. In December 1945, the French General, Charles de Gaulle, presented him with France’s highest award for valour, the “Croix de Guerre - Étoile de Bronze”, in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the cause of the Allies. He also received the 1939-1945 Star, the France and Germany Star and the Defence Medal. Cecil was a Life Member of Longlac Legion Branch 213 for twenty-five years and he passed away in 1984. OLIVER, Bert WWII Bert was born on October 29, 1918 at Clifton-upon-Teme in Worcester, England. He enlisted in Fort Frances, Ontario on July 30, 1940 and trained at Shilo, Petawawa, and at Aldershot, England and in South Wales. He was a Gunner, then a Bombardier with the 5th Armoured Division, 17th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery. In November 1943, he was shipped to Italy and was involved in heavy battles around Cassino and Ortona, then went to France, Belgium, and Holland for the liberation of that country in 1945. In October of that year, he was back in Wales, where he married Pamela Parsons. He was discharged in Canada in April 1946 and Pamela immigrated later that year as a war bride. He received the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, and the 55th Anniversary Liberation of Holland Medal on July 17, 2002. Bert was a member of Fort Frances Legion Branch 29 for sixty-five years before he died on May 25, 2010. OTTO, Oscar Reinholdt WWII Oscar was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1911. He joined the Army during WWII and served in the Service Corps in Normandy, France and in Northwest Europe. He was awarded the British Empire Service Medal. After the war, Oscar returned to Gladstone and farmed with his father and brothers. In 1946, he married Margaret (Madge) Townsend with whom he had a son. Oscar and Madge farmed for one and one half years with her parents in Melita and then they returned to Gladstone. In 1953, Oscar was stricken with Polio and he spent the next two years in Winnipeg receiving treatment. Once back in Gladstone, Oscar couldn’t farm, so he and Madge built a house in town and he started an accounting and insurance business. Oscar was very community-minded and he served on many Boards in town. He was a Life Member and Past President of Gladstone Legion Branch 110 before he died in Gladstone, Manitoba in 1988. OTTO, Albert Alfred WWII & PEACETIME Albert was born in Gladstone, Manitoba in 1922. He joined the Army and served in England, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany during WWII. He married Evelyn Comber of Haywards Heath, England and his son Paul was born there. After the war, the family moved back to Gladstone, where his second son Terry was born. Albert drove trucks for various local companies and in 1953, he reenlisted and was stationed at Camp Borden, Ontario. In 1958, he went to Egypt with the UNEF and he also served in Shilo, London, England, Rivers, Lakeview, and St. Hubert. While he was in Egypt, his wife Evelyn passed away suddenly. His two sons went to live with their aunt and uncle. In 1961, Albert married Evelyn Larry of Brandon, Manitoba and they had a daughter. Albert left the service in 1973 and retired with Evelyn to Brandon and then to Gladstone. After Evelyn died in 1997, he moved to Spruce Grove, Alberta to be near his son Paul. Albert was a member of Gladstone Legion Branch 220 before he died in Spruce Grove in 2004.
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