217 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca soldiers. Christmas was held in an old church and surpassed their expectations. Bitter fighting took place in Ortona, Italy, house by house, street by street. The rest of the winter was spent doing patrol duty. They were then on the move through Liri Valley. Germany was well prepared as they had built really strong defences, some places the concrete was three feet thick and usually had a steel roof. In the cement turrets, they had 88mm guns, which could turn 360 degrees. The Allies had decided to break through the Hitler line at all cost. They had 600 artillery guns and fired at them all at once, vibrating the earth; the purpose being to show the strength of the 8th Army. Bob left Italy on March 17, 1945, for Holland. They went up through France, Belgium, and were stationed in the Reichswald Forest. They crossed the Rhine River when the engineers had a pontoon completed and made a bridgehead across the Ijssel River. On comparing notes after Bob returned home, he realized that he had been one-half mile from his brother, Tom Templeton, who was with the artillery in the 4th Division. On May 23, 1945, a special Seaforth Highlanders Memorial service was held at Ooster Park, Amsterdam, Holland, “In memory of our comrades who gave their lives for their country and their Regiment in the cause of freedom, 1939-1945.” This service marked the anniversary of the Battle of the Hitler Line, Liri Valley, Italy. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands attended the service. She had just arrived back from Canada where she had sought refuge from the Nazi onslaught in her own country. Bob was the honour guard. They sang “Unto the Hills” and “Abide with Me”. The address was given by Padre Durnford, D.S.O. Bob left Holland on July 16, 1945, arriving in Basswood on August 16. He was honourably discharged on December 7, 1945, in Winnipeg, at which time he held the rank of Sergeant. He considered himself fortunate to have been hospitalized just a few times. He was wounded twice. On November 29, 1943, he had a bone broken in his right leg and on December 16, 1944, a broken bone in his left arm. He also had malaria. Bob purchased 27-15-19 when he was overseas and then purchased 28-15-19 from Mrs. Cook. He married Olive Milne, fourth daughter James and Sarah Milne, on July 26, 1947. Olive was teaching at Basswood School. They had two children: Bruce Milne, who passed away in 1966, and Gwenda Roberta. Gwenda married Dick Coombs of Hamiota on July 26, 1974. They both worked for the Royal Bank in Winnipeg and had a family of four: Bobbi, Jamie, Kelleigh and Doug. They enjoyed their years of mixed farming and retired in 1985. Their main pastime in the winter was curling. Bob curled in 19 Minnedosa bonspiels with his brother Jim. He enjoyed watching all sports, especially the younger ones as you see improvement from year to year. Bob was a founding member of The Royal Canadian Legion Basswood Branch 229 B.E.S.L. and was a Legion member for 56 years. Bob passed away on September 23, 2001, and Olive on January 28, 2018. They are laid to rest at the Basswood Cemetery. He received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Defence Medal, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, 1939-1945 Star, and War Medal 1939-1945. TEMPLETON, Robert Russell “Bob” (continued)
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