105 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca DEWAR (LONG), Mary M. WWII Mary was born in Gladstone, Manitoba in 1918. She signed up in Winnipeg, Manitoba for military service on September 15, 1941. On January 31, 1942, the army called and Mary was the first female from Gladstone to be called for army service. She started in Winnipeg and her first uniform was a pair of Oxfords and men’s battle dress. She was then transferred to Shilo, Manitoba with the Ordnance Corps in the motor transport section. On September 10, 1944, Mary willingly took a demotion from Corporal to Private so she could be posted overseas in London, England. She worked there in Medical Records until she came home to Gladstone on April 26, 1946. She worked at Dewar’s Bakery and Café, Solo Store and Gladstone Hospital until she and John moved to Gillam, Manitoba. She was a lifetime member of The Royal Canadian Legion Gladstone Branch 110. Mary passed away in December 1999. DILLING, Edwin John “Jack” WWI Jack was born on February 22, 1892, to John and Elizabeth Dilling of Highhampton, Devonshire, England. He enlisted on January 4, 1916 with the 226th Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. Private Jack Dilling was sent overseas and served with the 78th Battalion at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. He was wounded and spent time recovering in hospital. On May 14, 1919, Jack was embarked for Canada where he received his discharge on May 30. He married Annie Ball on November 18, 1925 and they lived in Eden, Manitoba. Jack opened the Eden Harness Shop and worked there until 1944. He then assumed guard duty at #35 E.F.T.S. until his retirement to Neepawa in 1950. Jack passed away on December 30, 1960 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Neepawa, Lot 28, Block 4, Range 13. DIMMERY, William “Bill” WWII Bill was born on February 27, 1919, to Frank and Cassandra Dimmery in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. He immigrated to Canada in 1938 with his parents. Bill enlisted with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles on June 25, 1940 in Winnipeg. He landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944. During this D-Day raid, Bill was wounded and lay on the beach for four days before receiving medical aid. Following convalescence in an English hospital, he was returned home to Canada. Sergeant William Dimmery received the 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-1945 and Normandy Medal. Bill married Gertrude Anderson on October 10, 1946 in Neepawa where they made their home. He worked for several different places, including the Neepawa Salt Plant and Murray’s Garage up until his retirement. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Neepawa Branch 23 for 55 years from 1954 to 2009. Bill passed away on May 1, 2009, and was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Neepawa, Lot 18, Block 5, Range 27.
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