83 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca GUIMOND, Wilfred “Wilf” WWII Wilfred joined the Army in December 1940. He took training at Fort Osborne Barracks, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba; Debert, Nova Scotia; Sussex, New Brunswick and Gander, Newfoundland, (one of the largest world airports). He took advance training while in Sussex, New Brunswick. From Gander, Wilfred was transferred to the Bahamas where he spent two years on guard duty. His army experience there was most interesting, as he guarded the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. While guarding Government House, he experienced a hurricane. The winds were so violent, he was forced to leave his post at the gate and lie on the ground inside the surrounding cement wall. He watched trees and other articles flying about. After two hours, Wilfred was the only thing left lying on the ground. Wilfred has fond memories of the Duchess’ canteen nights, held weekly on Thursday. The Duchess would make an appearance and talk to the enlisted men. One Thursday evening, a buddy of Wilfred’s bet him one English pound that he would not ask the Duchess to dance. This was quite a sum of money. Wilfred took the dare and off he went to ask “Wally” to dance. Much to everyone’s surprise, she accepted and away they danced. She inquired where Wilfred came from and so on. Wilfred said he strung her a bunch of baloney and she took it all in, even telling Wilf he was a good dancer. Other famous persons Wilfred met were Van Johnson, who he actually had a drink with and Lana Turner, to whom he spoke. While there, entertainment was provided by Jimmy Durante, Betty Davis and Joe E. Brown. Wilfred returned home to Canada when the war was over and was discharged on May 29, 1946. He resided in Fisher Branch. HEAPY, Gerald Edgar “Gerry” RCMP Gerald Edgar Heapy, Gerry, was born on June 1, 1931 in McAuley, Manitoba. His family later moved to Oak River Manitoba. In 1971, Gerry joined the RCMP, trained in Regina, then was off to E Division, BC. He arrived in Cloverdale soon after RCMP replaced BC Provincial Police. Cst. Heapy was later transferred to Yellowknife, arriving to meet Prince Phillip in 1954. The Prince bought a round for and imbibed with the boys. In January 1956, Heapy and comrades, received citations from Governor General Massey for extensive assistance, including dogsled, curbing the measles pandemic. Interesting postings G Division included Cambridge Bay. October 1959 brought a transfer to F Division, Saskatchewan, where Cpl., then Sgt., Heapy investigated in the General Investigation Section and Preventive Services. Marrying Charlotte Wonko in Yorkton, they had three children. Gerry retired in 1976, to farm in Oak River, and now is fully retired in Hamiota, Manitoba. Charlotte has passed, while Gerry still thrives in life at Hamiota.
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