73 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca FERRIS, William A. “Bill” WWII Bill was born on October 19, 1909. He was raised on a farm in the Camille district north of Holland, Manitoba. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on November 17, 1942, at the age of 33. As with most farm boys, he was experienced with equipment and could drive trucks. Bill was posted to No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery in Paulson near Lake Dauphin where he drove a truck mounted snowplow in winter and worked with runway maintenance in summer. Bill was then posted to Watson Lake, Yukon, a refueling/servicing airfield along the Northwest Staging Route. Established in 1942, the Northwest Staging Route served as a transportation and communications link from Edmonton to Fairbanks, Alaska. Airfields and emergency landing strips were upgraded or constructed at intervals of approximately 100 miles. He finished his military career in May 1946 and received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. Bill returned to the farm, married Marie Larson of Starbuck in 1950 and raised a daughter and son. Bill was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Victoria Branch 121 in Holland and passed way in 2007. FORD, Francis John WWII John was born on August 28, 1920, to Joseph and Ethel (Stickler) Ford in Birnie, Manitoba. The family moved to Eden when he was six years old. He enlisted in the Army in Winnipeg in May 1942 during World War II and served overseas for four years in North Africa, Italy, etc. with the Seaforth Highlanders. He was reported wounded at Ortona. L/Cpl John Ford received his discharge in Winnipeg in November 1945 and returned home to farm with his uncle. He married Marjorie Cook in 1952 and they farmed near Eden, Manitoba. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Neepawa Branch 23 for thirty years from 1948 to 1978. John passed away on February 25, 1978 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Neepawa, Lot 12, Block 5, Range 21. For his service, Francis received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-1945, Italy Star and 1939-1945 Star. FREE, Benjamin George “Ben” WWII Ben was born on June 7, 1921, to John and Alma (Flett) Free in Neelin, Manitoba. He enlisted on December 17, 1942 during World War II and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Ben married Letty McKinnon and they lived in Arden, where he worked as a mechanic and ran a garage. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Arden Branch 144. Ben passed away on July 11, 1984 and was buried at Arden Cemetery. There is no marker.
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