93 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca GARDINER, Melvin J. WWII Melvin was born in Virden, MB in 1920. The family moved to a farm in Woodnorth where he went to school. After school, he helped on the farm until he joined the Royal Canadian Army in 1940 and served with the Winnipeg Rifles. He was sent to England where he stayed until June 6, 1944. He was in the invasion of Normandy and went through France, Belgium and Holland. Melvin was killed in action in Holland in February 1945 and is buried in the Grosbeak Canadian War Cemetery. GARDINER, William James “Bill” WWII Bill was born in Virden, MB on November 20, 1921 to Russell and Irene Gardiner. He joined the Royal Canadian Army in 1940 and trained in Shilo. His main job was to set the sights on their heavy artillery gun. Bombardier William was stationed in France, Holland and Belgium. His only injury was minor cuts and bruises when their truck overturned while moving from one area to another. When peace was declared and the war ended he was stationed in Belgium and they received orders to stay there and clean up any after-effects of the war. He came home on October 30, 1945 and was discharged on December 11, 1945. His awards include the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, the Defence Medal, the France and Germany Star, the King George VI Coronation Medal and the 1939-45 Star. Bill passed away in 1988. GIBBINGS, Herbert R. WWII Herbert was born in Lakeland, MB on May 31, 1924 to Percy and Hilda Gibbings. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy in 1943 and was drafted to the 65th M.T.G.B. Flotilla. He went overseas to Liverpool and served in the North Sea and the English Channel. On March 17, 1945, he was wounded in action. While overseas, he met his future wife, Lil, and they married in England on July 7, 1945. After the war, he and Lil moved to Winnipeg, MB where they raised five children. On July 7, 2012, Herb and Lil celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Herbert has been a member of Winnipeg Legion Branch 1 for 48 years. GEDDES (SUTHERLAND), Carole WWII Carole was born in Hartney, MB in 1922. She enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division in 1943 and served during World War II, and was discharged in May 1946.
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