217 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca WHITE, Bernard V. WWII Bernard was born on June 30, 1923 in Binscarth, Manitoba. Private White was a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment of Canada Second Division and also served in the Canadian Intelligence Corps. He served in Canada, England, France, Belgium, Germany and Holland including the Battle of Normandy during World War II. He received the GRI VI 1939 – 1945 Star, the GRI VI France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (with silver bar) and the War Medal (1939 – 1945). Bernard married Gladys Skeoch on June 14, 1947 and together they raised three children on their farm east of Binscarth. Bernard has been a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Binscarth Branch 074 for many years and currently resides in the Boyne Lodge at Carman, MB. WHITE, George A. WWII George, son of George and Agnes White was born in Binscarth, Manitoba on September 21, 1920. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in Winnipeg in September of 1940 and proceeded to Manning Depot in Brandon, MB and thence to No. 2 Wireless School in Calgary for a six week course (he had learned telegraphy prior to enlistment). In mid-November, he was in England posted to 220 Squadron as a ground wireless operator. His desire was to be air crew and he was afforded the necessary training and promoted to the rank of Sergeant Wireless Air Gunner. When the Canadian Government decided to Canadianize the force, he was transferred to the all Canadian 407 Squadron (Demon Squadron) attached to Coastal Command which in part was its mandate to attack enemy shipping at mast height. He passed through the ranks and retired after thirty years of service with the rank of Colonel. Arthur passed away on February 22, 2011 and is buried in the military cemetery in Ottawa. WICKENS, Edward Donald WWII Edward was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1921. He enlisted in the Air Force in Regina on April 10, 1942. He trained at No. 7 ITS (graduated November 6, 1942) and at No. 7 AOS (graduated March 19, 1943). He went overseas in England where he served with 434 Bluenose Squadron during World War II. He also served in postwar Royal Canadian Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross which was effective on January 6, 1945 as per the London Gazette dated January 19, 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated March 23, 1945. The citation on which this award was made reads as follows: “Flying Officer Wickens has completed a tour of operations several of which were against heavily defended targets in Germany. In March, 1944, during an attack on a French target, his aircraft was attacked by night fighters with the result that the flight engineer was wounded, two engines were severely damaged and the petrol tanks holed. This necessitated an emergency landing as soon as this country was reached. This officer displayed courage, determination and high navigational skill under hazardous circumstances. He has proved himself to be a cool and highly efficient navigator throughout. His devotion to duty in the face of enemy opposition and adverse weather is meritorious.”
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