73 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca FINCH, Reginald Austin “Reg” WWI &WWII Reginald “Reg” Austin Finch was born on June 20, 1891 in Brandon, Manitoba into a family of five brothers and two sisters. His parents, William and Martha (Austin) Finch had moved to Brandon from Woodstock, Ontario. The family later moved to Winnipeg. Reg, along with his brother, Billy, started Finch Messenger, the first in Winnipeg. They ran the business until World War I and at that time, they joined the war effort. Two of Reg’s older brothers, William (Billy) Everett and Robert (Bob) Lincoln, joined the Army - the 90th Battalion, Little Black Devils, Canadian Expeditionary Force. As both were musicians, they served in the Army band. Both had served overseas. Bob came back with a medal. Billy contracted tuberculosis and died shortly after returning home. Reg had joined the Royal Air Force (Royal Flying Corps - British). Regrettably there is no record of his enlistment, rank, where he served etc. as all was destroyed in a house fire. Few stories were told as Reg never spoke much of the wars to his family. It is known that Reg fell seriously ill due to the flu epidemic. He was one of the lucky ones in that he survived; but it did cut short his active air force duty. Reg was discharged in December 1919. On April 30, 1918, Reg married Mary Muriel Parker in Winnipeg. After the war, he started working and travelling for General Motors. Their first son, Kenneth Ray, was born on March 28, 1919 in Winnipeg. Reg and his young family moved toWeyburn, Saskatchewan in the early twenties. Reg, being a top-notch mechanic, started his own General Motors Auto Repairs Garage at this time. Two more sons were born to Reg and Muriel; William David on January 13, 1922, and Jack Hugo on April 15, 1923. Reg had a thriving business until the ‘Dirty Thirties’ and they were forced to move back to Winnipeg. In 1931, they moved to Hodgson and purchased NW 1/4 14-25-1 W, later purchasing SW 1/4 14-25-1 W. Reg and the boys engaged in mixed farming and hauling cordwood. Being the mechanic he was, a lot of Reg’s time was spent under the hood of somebody’s car. Those were the days of the Star, Whippet, Moon, Essex, Studebaker, Model T, Model A, 490 Chevil, Auburn etc. When World War II began, Reg joined the Army. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corp and was made Corporal on April 1, 1942. He was stationed in Winnipeg with the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers. He served as Motor Mechanic, then as Head Auto Parts Storeman in a vehicle Repair Depot. He was also responsible for setting up depots in other locations, one being at the Lake Head (Thunder Bay). He was discharged on November 28, 1945, and returned home, where he farmed until his retirement. Reg first joined The Royal Canadian Legion in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in 1928. He later joined The Royal Canadian Legion Hodgson Branch 158 when it received its charter in Fisherton. Reg was a faithful member until his death. Reg and Charlie Ross spent many a happy hour in the Legion at Hodgson and in many instances their happiness seemed to keep them going long after they had left the premises. Reg passed away on October 22, 1960. His funeral was the first Legion funeral from Branch 158, with the Ladies serving lunch for the first time. Reg was a very loving and caring man, who left his family with many warm memories – children, being one of the loves of his life. His wonderful sense of humour and great imagination along with his gentle ways have left only cherished memories for all who knew him. Reg “writing home”.
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