51 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca BRUGGER, Harvey Ernest WWI Harvey was born in Rookhurst District in 1901. He joined the Army in 1918, at the age of seventeen. Harvey left fromWinnipeg by train to go to Halifax. He was bid farewell by Mae Funnell. Mae was also saying goodbye to her husband, William Funnell, who was leaving for overseas at the same time. Mae made the comment that Harvey was so young and looked so forlorn as he was leaving. Harvey’s unit was the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (nicknamed the Little Black Devils). He served in the Signal Corps, or in communications as it is better known today. After some months on the battlefield, Harvey was wounded by an exploding artillery shell. The shell literally buried three men. Harvey worked his way out, but the soldier underneath him had to be dug out. The men suffered from many pieces of shrapnel. Word was received back in Minnedosa that Harvey had been killed in action. Anna Sandstrom, who later became Harvey’s wife, was six years old, and she remembered hearing the news from her brother, Eric Sandstrom. Anna did not know Harvey at the time; however, her family knew him from the Rookhurst District where they lived. Private Brugger recovered from his wounds at the St. Thomas Hospital in London, England. After some time, Harvey was on the battlefield again, where he was once again wounded, this time not as severely. Harvey recalled that on one occasion he and a fellow soldier were running together when an enemy sniper opened fire and killed his partner. On other occasions, Harvey and comrades were sent out at night to set up razor wire. The enemy would shoot flares up into the night sky to try and locate enemy soldiers. This was a dangerous mission. This brave veteran served the Army and his country well. Harvey returned in 1919 to Winnipeg and stayed in the Fort Garry Hotel, after which he returned to the Rookhurst District. He was honoured by his friends and family and given a gold watch. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Gen. Hugh Dyer Branch 138 for 44 years. Harvey and Anna Sandstrom married in 1934 and raised a family of four. They farmed seven miles south of Minnedosa. Harvey passed into glory in 1987. He received the King George V 1914-1918 Medal, Great War for Civilization Medal 1914-1919, War Service Medal 1914-1919, two wound stripes and Medal “For Service at the Front”. BRUNNING, Francis Henry WWI &WWII Francis was born in Brentwood, England on May 13, 1899. He enlisted in the Army in Warley, England on May 29, 1917 and served with the 3rd Royal Glosters for two years during World War I, being discharged in Sheffield on January 22, 1919. His service number was 36194. He was awarded the Service Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during World War I. He re-enlisted in Winnipeg during World War II and served overseas for four years with the 2nd Division Signals. His service number was H3914. He was discharged on August 10, 1945. Francis had two sons, Frank and Kenny.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==