51 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca BELL, James Kelvin Metcalf “Kelly” WWII Kelly was born on March 17, 1926, to Eddie and Gertrude Bell of Neepawa, Manitoba. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy on September 9, 1941 and served on both Canadian and British ships (HMCS Victoriaville) in the North Atlantic. Able Seaman Kelly Bell was discharged on June 30, 1943. He received the Atlantic Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp and War Medal 1939-1945. He returned to the Neepawa area and in 1948, married Elsie Denoon. They farmed in the Oberon area until his retirement in 1976. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Neepawa Branch 23 for 68 years from 1954 to 2002. Kelly passed away on March 2, 2022, at the age of 95. BENSON, Robert Stephen “Bob” WWII Bob was born on August 7, 1925, to Clifford and Annie Benson of Neepawa. He received his education at Neepawa and Hollywood schools. On June 2, 1944, Bob enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve in Winnipeg. He took his basic training at the HMCS Quebec and Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. He served on the HMCS Kirkland Lake and Llewellyn. Bob was discharged on April 15, 1946 as Stoker 1st Class. He returned to farming in the Langruth area seven years later in the Keyes district. He married Maureen Webster on July 10, 1953 in Arden, Manitoba. In 1975, they sold the farm and retired to Neepawa. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Neepawa Branch 23. Bob passed away on August 23, 2013, in Neepawa and is buried in Riverside Cemetery. BIRCH, Wilfred John Tom WWII Tom was born on September 14, 1918, to Joseph and Miriam Birch of Neepawa, Rosedale Municipality, Manitoba. He received his education at Eden and then went to work as a farmhand in the area. In October 1940, Tom enlisted in the Army in Winnipeg and served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He landed in Normandy, at Juno Beach, with the 3rd Canadian Division on D-Day, June 6, 1944. It was during these landings that he was killed. Lance Corporal Tom Birch is buried in the Beny-surMer Canadian War Cemetery in France. Birch Peninsula (53 L/6) in Joint Lake was named after him in 1995.
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