Volume 24 www.legionnl.com 19 Newfoundland Labrador Command continued ... Howard Moores volunteered for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and was posted at Halifax, NS (1939-1946) where he served as Quartermaster. He was about to go overseas when the War ended. He was awarded three medals during his service: the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM); the Defense Medal; and the War Medal (1939-1945). He married Bay Roberts’ native Winifred Parsons Buttin 1943, and returned there in 1946 to establish a business and raise a family. In 1970, they retired to his birthplace in Conception Bay North. As with all people, there is so much more to know about them than just their life’s “tombstone” information. Howard Moores was my father and he was a truly remarkable man. He was born in a community that holds the distinction of being the site of the first Methodist church in North America (1769). His ancestor, Thomas Moors (of Wimbourne Minster, County Dorset, UK) was granted a plantation in the community of Blackhead by King Charles I circa 1632. In fact, Howard was born on this same “plantation” and I am proud to continue to call it home. Howard’s parents – Albert and Jessie (Moran) Moores-were fisher/farmers. Albert was also an accomplished carpenter who spent many years “building the Boston States”. A most notable effect of these many trips to the USA was that their two children (Robert and Howard) were born 14 years apart. That notwithstanding, the family were staunch Methodists in – what was then – a thriving community of several hundred residents. The "Protestant Work Ethic” and an exemplary respect for education were paramount in the area; so much so, that it has been said the region produced more teachers and clergymen than anywhere else in the province. In fact, in 1910, the men of Blackhead and its neighbour Adam’s Cove each built identical twostory schools that stand today. Howard proved to be quite bright in school and was pushed ahead a grade (skipping Grade 8) which allowed him to graduate high school at age 15. He was a true outdoorsman and often lamented that there was a “huge gap” in his education because he missed Nature Studies in Grade 8! MOORES, J. HOWARD (Cpl) [Service #R252197] of Blackhead, BDV, Newfoundland (August10,1919-September14,1985).
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