137 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca In October 1952, they were replaced by 3 PPCLI; it was a nice feeling for Thomas knowing they were coming home but again sad because we were leaving behind some very good friends who would never go home again. They left fromYokohama to sail to Seattle, Washington. Everyone got thirty days leave then went back to Calgary. In the spring of 1953, all the men who were not Parachutists were told to take para training or go to the Canadian Guards. Thomas took Para Training at Rivers, Manitoba for seven hard weeks. He spent one of those weeks at Camp Shilo. He jumped from the high tower six times, a height of 256 feet which was a must to qualify and seven exits from airplanes. The planes were C-4 7 or Box Cars. After Thomas qualified, he was sent back to the battalion in Calgary where he continued to jump. Thomas made nineteen jumps, all with the T-7 chute which is 28 feet across. In 1955, the Battalion was again preparing to exchange duties with the 2nd Battalion PPCLI who were in Germany. In October 1955, Thomas was sent to Camp Fort MacLeod in Germany with the 1st Battalion. At this time his younger brother was there as well. His younger brother finished with 21 years of service in the PPCLI and went into farming in Alberta. Thomas’ older brother was RCHA (Royal Canadian Horse Artillery) and is now deceased. He was killed in a truck accident while on leave. He had the rank of Sergeant. Thomas was not in Fort MacLeod for very long when he was transferred to Fort Henry, where Brigade HQ was. The duties included protecting the Brigadier whenever he went out on war games. Thomas’ wife and family joined him in Germany. They got a PMQ, military housing, in Soest which was home for two years. In September 1957 they went back to Canada and he was posted to Camp Borden, Ontario School of Infantry. They again had a PMQ there for five years. Thomas received his release in Toronto in May 1963. He lived in the Hodgson area. McLEARY, John “Jack” WWII Jack was born in Fort William, Ontario, on October 9, 1914. He joined the 12th Manitoba Dragoons, 18th Armoured Car Regiment, serving as a Lieutenant in Canada, England, France, Belgium and Holland. He was wounded in Bergen op Zoom, Holland in 1944. He returned to Holland in 1984 with members of his regiment to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the town’s liberation and was chosen to place the wreath representing the Canadian Veterans at the ceremonies. Jack assisted with the establishment of a monument at Vimy Ridge Park to honour those who served in the Dragoons. He was a Life Member and Sergeant at Arms at The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 161 in Arborg for 66 years. Jack received the 1939-1945 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Silver Clasp, and the Maple Leaf Emblem War Medal 1939-1945. Jack passed away on May 2, 2004. McIVOR, Thomas Edward (continued)
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