245 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca OPPERMAN, Lawrence S. WWI Lawrence was born on February 2, 1898, eldest son of John and Melinda Opperman of Boissevain, Manitoba. In August 1915, Lawrence enlisted in the 79th Battalion at Brandon, Manitoba, documenting his birth year as 1897 so he would appear old enough for acceptance. After training in Canada, Lawrence embarked Halifax on April 24, 1916, and with the others in his battalion crossed the Atlantic aboard the passenger ship SS Lapland. Disembarkation took place on May 5 in England with the troop moving to East Sandling Army Camp at Shorncliffe, where Lawrence had a four-day stint in a military hospital shortly after arrival. While at East Sandling, the 79th Battalion was disassembled, and most soldiers were assigned to other units as reinforcements. Seven weeks after disembarking, Lawrence was on his way to France to connect with the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish), part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade. Arrival in France was on June 29, 1916 and one month later, Lawrence joined the 16th Battalion in the field. By the end of September 1916, the Battle of the Somme was well underway. The Battle of Ancre Heights was part of the Battle of the Somme. On the morning of October 8, the 16th Battalion was part of a large-scale attack on Regina Trench, a well defended German trench line on the Ancre Heights. Lawrence died during this battle at the age of eighteen, date of death is recorded as October 8/9, 1916. He is buried in Adanac Military Cemetery; Miraumont, Somme, France. His medals include the Victory Medal, British War Medal and a Commemorative Medallion know as a “Dead Man’s Penny”. Remembered with distinction. PARK, Harold M. WWII Harold was born in Dauphin, Manitoba on December 1, 1912. He was employed with the Patricia Transportation Company in Hudson, Ontario, Sargeant Park. He enlisted with the Air Force, and he served with the 58 Squadron in Great Britain as a Flying Officer. On August 16, 1943, Harold was killed in action in Holland. He was interred in Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom.
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