85 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca GUTHRIE, Robert M. WWII Robert was born in Brandon, Manitoba. He joined the Navy and served on the High Seas during World War II. Leading Seaman Guthrie served on the frigate, HMCS Valleyfield. She was part of an escort group that was protecting forty or fifty show merchant ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean from the United States and Canada. These ships carried vital war supplies and food to England and Europe, which the German submarines wanted to sink. During action with Sub U 548 Valleyfield was struck by a homing torpedo and in the explosion it broke in half and sank, 133 men lost their lives and Robert was one of them. He was killed in action in 1944 in the North Atlantic. HABINSKI, Julian L. WWII Julian was born in Cooks Creek, Manitoba in 1921. He enlisted in the Army and served with the Canadian Anti-Tank Corp in England, North Africa, Italy, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He joined the 7th Anti-tank Regiment of armoured tanks in 1942. He took his basic training in Portage la Prairie and then advanced training at Brandon’s Camp Shilo where he was trained on Bren machine guns and other anti-tank weaponry. Julian went to Halifax after training and then boarded the Queen Elizabeth bound for England. He completed two months of training in England before his unit headed for Philipville, North Africa. While serving as a driver-operator with the 7th anti-tank division his main job was to make sure no German tanks got to the troops. After his service in Africa, he returned to his old job on the same Starbuck farm for another two years, worked at the mine in Atikokan for thirteen years, and was a truck and bulldozer operator. Julian married Emma in 1951 and they moved into their brand new home where he continues to live. He received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, 1939-1945 Star Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal, Italy Star Meda, and France and Germany Medal. HANNAH, James A. WWII James was born in 1913 in Rathwell, Manitoba. He served in England, India and Burma during World War II. He enlisted in the Air Force in Winnipeg on March 12, 1941 as a Motor Transport Mechanic. Training started in 1942 at #2 Wireless School in Calgary, MMMT C and B in Trenton and #4 Wireless School in Guelph. Jim completed the MMMT A training while in India and was promoted to the rank of Corporal on August 1, 1944. He embarked from Halifax on May 15, 1943, arriving on May 24 at PRC Topcliffe, England. On March 17, 1944, he went overseas from there to District Headquarters New Delhi India with 4 Wing (435/436 Squadrons) then moved to 221/222 RAF Squadrons working in public relations. Jim saw many atrocities and suffered with shell shock and after effects of malaria. He received the following medals: 1939 – 1945 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, General Service Medal and CVSM with Clasp. Jim was released on January 15, 1946 and re-enlisted in 1956 as F/O with the RCAC working with 320 Squadron in Rivers, MB while continuing farming near Oak River. He was a member of the Oak River Legion Branch 150 for 58 years before he passed away in 2004.
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