161 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca HUNTER, John James “Jack” WWII Jack was born on May 11, 1922, in Neepawa, Manitoba, son of Walter Hunter and Isabel Buchanan. He enlisted in the Army on June 24, 1940 in Winnipeg. Being just eighteen years old and wanting to be sure to be recruited, he said he was one year older than he was. He was in Shilo, Manitoba five days later for training. Jack traveled by train to Halifax on December 13, 1940 and landed in England on December 28, 1940. He served with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders and was one of the first to land ashore at Dieppe. Jack received the Military Medal. The local newspaper bore the headline “Jack Hunter – First Local Boy to be Cited in this War.” It read in part: “Jack Hunter, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hunter was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Jack was one of the first to land on the shore at Dieppe and under heavy fire from all sides, exposed himself while cutting a hole through the heavy enemy wire. When the wire was cut, Jack hauled his mortar over the beach and laid down a smoke screen while his platoon went over and through the sea wall. In this action, he showed total disregard for his own safety and his gallantry was of the highest order.” Private Jack Hunter was wounded during that encounter and died on August 19, 1942. He also received the 1939-1945 Star, Defence Medal, and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. He is buried in France at the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery. HUNTER, Wellington D. WWII Wellington was born in Neepawa, Manitoba on August 16, 1918. He enlisted in the Army and served with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in the United Kingdom and in Dieppe, France. On August 19, 1942, Private Wellington Hunter was taken as a prisoner of war at Stalag VII B in Germany for two years and eight months. He was married to Marjorie Stockley and was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Neepawa Branch 23. Wellington passed away on March 26, 1994.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==