177 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca PRATT, Dennis D. WWII Dennis was born in Birtle, Manitoba in 1925. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served in Canada and England during World War II. With his friend Walley, Dennis started pilot training and put in approximately 165 hours flying time after which he trained as an air gunner and was commissioned. Dennis was a member of Birtle Legion Branch 55. He died in Ottawa, Ontario. PRESTON, Allan WWII Allan was born in 1916 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army in December 1943 and took his training in Winnipeg, Peterborough and Camp Borden, serving in Canada during WWII. He took his last test before going overseas but failed it due to loss of hearing because of the heavy artillery shooting. He was devastated, as he wanted to join his brothers overseas. The Army placed him at a convalescence hospital in Portage la Prairie, where he spent the remainder of the war working as a nurse. Allan has been a Life Member of Portage la Prairie Legion Branch 65 for over sixty-five years. PRESTON, Robert “Bob” WWII Bob was born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba on May 15, 1912. He joined the Canadian Army and served in England as a Lance Bombardier with the Royal Canadian Artillery during WWII. Bob was killed accidently on April 17, 1943 by an impaired driver while serving in England. PRESTON, Charles “William” WWII William was born on July 20, 1923 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force on March 30, 1942 and trained in Virden before being posted to Division 158 Squadron. He was then sent to Yorkton, Saskatchewan, where he learned how to fly. In November 1942, he was posted to Lawford, Warwickshire, England and was promoted to Sergeant. He was taught map reading, pilot navigation, precision, timing, shooting and landing. William’s first bombing was in April 1943 and his last on July 3, 1943, when the Halifax Bombers of #158 Squadron Royal Air Force were shot down over Loncin, Belgium. A local resident found his body and removed his dog tags on the advice of the vicar. Fifty-one years later, his sister and the last survivor of the crash visited the crash site.
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