187 The Royal Canadian Legion www.mbnwo.legion.ca SPRATT, Cecil Robert WWII Cecil was born on March 15, 1916, to William and Agnes (Dunphy) Spratt in Kelwood, Manitoba. He enlisted and served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in June 1940. Cecil took his training in Toronto, Montreal and Fingal. He was sent overseas in February 1941 with the 149 Squadron and served in the UK and Continental Europe. He was reported missing in action on July 30, 1942 over Saarbrook, Germany and declared dead. Cecil was buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Grace 8 J. 12-18. Spratt Lake, north of Nejanilini Lake was named after him in 1974. Two of his brothers, Carman and Harry, also served during World War II. SPRATT, Harry Francis WWII Harry was born on December 9, 1917, to William and Agnes (Dunphy) Spratt in Kelwood, Manitoba. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1940 and received his training at Fort William and Dauphin. He was sent overseas in August 1941. By June 25, 1942, Harry was reported missing following air operations over Germany. He had been shot down and captured. On July 10, he was reported as a prisoner of war and was subsequently interned for the next three years (POW Camp 8B/344, POW #24944). After his discharge and return to Canada, Harry and his brother, Carman, ran a farm and garage business. Harry married his wife, Neta Hearn, on July 7, 1956, and in 1967, they relocated to Victoria, British Columbia. He worked as a mail carrier until his retirement in 1983. Harry passed away on August 8, 1995, in Saanichton, BC. His ashes were returned to Neepawa by his wife, and he was interred on September 2, 1996, in Block D, Lot 37, Cremation Gardens at Riverside Cemetery in Neepawa. STEELE, Norman Lawrence WWII Norman was born on December 25, 1913, to John and Lavina (Hosler) Steele in Gladstone, Manitoba. He attended Roskeen School and worked as a farmhand in the Riding Mountain Area. In 1940, he enlisted in the Winnipeg Light Infantry. He trained there and in British Columbia. Norman later volunteered in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. He trained in England and on October 27, 1944, he was killed in action after helping liberate Antwerp at Wemeldinge, Holland. He is commemorated at Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery in Holland. He was survived by his wife, Marjorie (Charles) Steele of Gilbert Plains, Manitoba. Steele Bay (64 I/7) in Hillman Lake was named after him in 1995.
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