51 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca BIRSTON, James “Jim” WWII Jim enlisted on April 29, 1943 and trained at North Bay, Ontario. As he was unable to meet the required military physical standards he was discharged on November 4, 1943. After his discharge James resided near Hodgson until his death in June 1979. BIRSTON, Thomas H. “Bud” WWII Private Birston enlisted in Winnipeg on October 27, 1942. After about three months training he went overseas in January 1943. He went into action with the Cameron Highlanders and was wounded in the left shoulder in August 1944. The following telegram from the Department of Records was received on August 18, 1944: Private Thomas Birston Hl02884, “Previously reported wounded in action, Nature of wounds. Now report. Bullet left arm and shoulder!” After this he returned to action and was once again wounded. Another telegram from the Department of Records was received on October 18, 1944: “Minister of National Defence informs that Pte. Birston previously reported slightly wounded in action. Nature of second wound casualty now reported bullet wound right scalp. Further information forwarded as received. Was wounded on October 6, 1944 - in hospital.” Shortly after this a Canadian Army Priority Casualty Post Card was received on July 12, 1944 which reported Pte. Birston in hospital. Altogether Private Birston spent twenty-four and one-half months overseas. He volunteered to go to Japan and had sixty days leave. The war in the Pacific ended at this time. He was discharged on January 17, 1946. He resided in Winnipeg until his death in 1971. BISHOP, Howard PEACETIME Howard was born in Stonewall, Manitoba in 1946 and at seventeen years of age he joined the militia with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Their nickname was ‘The Little Black Devils’. Howard took his basic training at Minto Armories where he learned about weaponry, dress code and drill among other military basics. Each summer for five years he would go to Camp Shilo where he took an Infantry course, a junior NCO course and where he spent time recruiting as a Corporal. Howard was discharged in 1968. He originally worked at the stock yards, at the Telephone warehouse and spent 32 years with the CP Railway. Howard was twice married and has a son and a daughter. He is retired in Winnipeg. He also is a member of the Norwood Legion.
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