183 The Royal Canadian Legion www.mbnwo.legion.ca SKOGLUND, Ranald Hazael WWII Ranald was born on August 12, 1922, in Erickson, Manitoba. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 and the Army in 1942, serving first in Scotland in 1943 then Aldershot, England. In November, he landed in Africa at Algiers then went to Philippeville. In February 1944, he sailed to Naples, Italy then rode a train to Avellino where the fierce fighting was hampered by cold, rain and mud. Serving with the Tanks Corps Reinforcement, he drove in large convoys taking troops and supplies to the front lines over treacherous mountain roads, seeing devastation and hunger everywhere. He was hospitalized in Naples, Groningen, Holland and Nuremberg for Malaria. After the war, Trooper Skoglund drove officers around Europe until he was honourably discharged on February 27, 1946 in Winnipeg. He received the 1939-1945 Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, and the War Medal 1939-1945. A member of The Royal Canadian Legion Morris Branch 111 for 38 years, he died in 1986. SLEZAK, Henry Maximilian WWII Henry was born on October 1, 1921, to John and Annie (Stycznaka) Slezak in Chatfield, Manitoba. After receiving his education, he worked for his father on the farm near Brookdale. He enlisted on November 7, 1940 and served with the 405 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force overseas. On July 27, 1942, his aircraft and its entire crew crashed near the mouth of the Este River which runs into the Elbe River, about seven miles west of Hamburg. Only three bodies were ever located and the rest of the crew, including Henry, were never found and were later commemorated on Panel 106 of the General Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede. Henry was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp and War Medal 1939-1945. In 1974, he had a lake, Slezak Lake, southeast of Nejanilini, named after him. SMITH, Wilfred Austin “Wilf” WWII Wilf was born on February 14, 1921, to Austin and Grace (Aldridge) Smith in Glenella, Manitoba. He received his education at Riding Mountain and Glenella. Wilf enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on January 9, 1942, in Winnipeg. He was posted to 420 Squadron in #6 Bomber Command and remained there until he came home in June 1945. Before he went overseas, he spent time in Brandon, Winnipeg, and Bella Bella, British Columbia. He said it was very isolated and lonely there. They had men posted there to guard the coastline in case of a Japanese invasion. After the war, he took up farming near Kelwood and married Roberta Kyle in 1950. He retired to Neepawa in 1990. He was a long-time member of The Royal Canadian Legion. Wilfred passed away on May 14, 2010, and was buried in Kelwood Cemetery.
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