175 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca PITTET, G. C. WWII G. C. Pittet enlisted in the Army in Geraldton, Ontario in November 1941 and served with the 2nd Corps of the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 2 Tank Group Workshop. After serving in England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, he was discharged in Winnipeg in December 1945. He has been a member of the Russell Legion Branch 159. PLANT, Doris WWII Doris was born in 1921 in Darlington, England. At 19, she volunteered “to do her part to win the war.” She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, trained in the south of England for six weeks, then worked in the offices of Bomber Command and at Station X. She posted to different positions but especially liked working with the Secret Service decoding German missives. She loved her 7-year military stint, the camaraderie and friendships, and the many wonderful memories she made. She recalls the moment she met this particularly handsome Canadian airman. They married when the war ended and she flew “across the pond” to begin a new chapter in her life. Doris was awarded the War Service Defence Medal and the Certificate of Merit. She has been a member of the Atikokan Legion Branch 145 for more than thirty-seven years. POW (nee POOLE), Annie L. WWII Annie was born in Kemnay, Manitoba in 1913. She joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division in Winnipeg in May 1943 and trained at Rockcliffe, Ontario before shipping off to Trenton, Ontario to train as a clerk-accountant. She was then posted to Brandon at the 12 Service Flying Training School and worked in the Headquarters building at the equipment accounts desk. She received her discharge in September 1945. In March 1946, Annie married Jack Pow, who had served with the 71st Field Battery, and they had two children. They lived and worked in Brandon, traveled extensively in Canada, Europe, and in the United States, Hawaii being one of their favourite places to visit. Annie appeared on WCG-TV which aired “Heroes and Heroines”, featuring three female WWII veterans. She has been a member of Brandon Legion Branch 3 for twenty-six years and still talks about how she and Jack enjoyed attending lounge dances. POPPLESTONE, William “Maurice” WWII Maurice took his schooling in Floral, Pilot Mound and Minnedosa Collegiate, MB. He then enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained in Souris, Manitoba, completing his solo flight in May 1941. Flight Sergeant Popplestone joined #114 Blenheim Squadron and shipped out to England and Holland, where he was killed in action on March 26, 1942 at the age of 22. He is commemorated at Harlingen General Cemetery in Holland, and Popplestone Lake, southeast of Nueltin Lake, was named after him in 1975.
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