VETERANS’ SERVICE RECOGNITION BOOK - Volume Twenty The Royal Canadian Legion NOVA SCOTIA / NUNAVUT COMMAND
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 1 It is with great pride that I once again extend my sincere appreciation on behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia to our military members, veterans, and their families for the tremendous contributions and sacrifices they have, and continue to make, ensuring our safety, both domestically and abroad. The history of Nova Scotia has always been deeply intertwined with that of our nation’s military, molding our province into what it is today. This is in no small part thanks to our active duty and veteran community that help shape the social fabric of Nova Scotia. I know this as the Minister responsible for Military Relations, the MLA of Eastern Passage; home of CFB Shearwater, Co-Chair of the Seamless Canada Standing Committee, and as a proud mother of a son in the Canadian Armed Forces. Time and time again, Nova Scotians have made personal sacrifices to protect their home, their loved ones and their country. This fact is not lost on me and I believe it is crucial to continue to push these stories to the forefront. I wish to support these efforts where, and whenever, I am able. Be that through supporting memorial projects recognizing the actions of our veterans, ensuring our Province is paving the way on Seamless Canada initiatives that make the lives of military families easier, or simply promoting the actions of those who have, and continue to, serve for our country. In May 2024, I had the honour of being appointed the Provincial Co-Chair for the Seamless Canada Steering Committee. In this role I will work with the Federal Co-Chair, as well as provincial and territorial colleagues, to discuss how we can work collaboratively to improve the lives of Canada’s service members and their families. Our current priorities include healthcare, spousal employment, and childcare and dependent education. I would like to make a particular point this year to recognize that this year not only the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, but also the 20th anniversary of this publication, highlighting the steadfast commitment of the Nova Scotia Nunavut Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, to honouring the members of our military community. Congratulations and keep up the excellent work! Honourable Barbara Adams, MLA Minister of Justice and Attorney General Minister responsible for Military Relations Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care NS Department of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister Responsible for Military Relations Message . . . . . . . . . . .1 President's Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Project Chairman/Editor's Message . . . . . .9 Features Poster and Literary Contest Winners – 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Denis Victor Mark Jarvis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Captain Henry Hoyt Pineo . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Susan B. Stark, MMM CD Chief W.O., (ret’d.) . . . . . . . .39 Alexander Griswold Viets, BOER WAR & WWI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 The Halifax 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Milan War Cemetery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 The Saint Lucia Battery No. 6 Company, Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery . . .93 80th Anniversary of D-Day, 6 June 1944 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 90th Anniversary – Mahone Bay Br. 49 R.C.L. . . . . . . . . . .123 Nunavut – 25TH Anniversary . . . . . . . . . .129 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 75th Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . .133 Heroes of Cape Breton Nova Scotia . . . .139 Veterans BOUDREAU, Bernard Joseph . . . . . . . . .191 COADY, Lloyd J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193 DUGGAN, James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193 EASTERBY, Sloan Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193 GARUK, Michael Weldon . . . . . . . . . . . .195 GOODWIN, William Harvey “Bill” . . . . . . .195 HOOD, Samuel Clifford . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195 KAULBACK, Ralph Floyd . . . . . . . . . . . .197 MacDONALD, Delmar Carl . . . . . . . . . . .197 MacKENZIE, Austin Alexander . . . . . . . .197 McEACHERN, H. N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199 McKENNA, Joseph A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199 MORINE, Walter LeRoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199 MORRISON, James Roy . . . . . . . . . . . . .201 MUNROE, Clyde Alexander . . . . . . . . . .201 O’HALLORAN, William E. . . . . . . . . . . . .201 SEARS, Alphonsus Thomas . . . . . . . . . .203 VALLILLEE Ronald Richard . . . . . . . . . .203 WARDROPE, Allan Roger . . . . . . . . . . . .203 Advertisers' Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204 Submission Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208 Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 20 2 Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion Table of Contents - Volume 20 Cover photo The cover for our 20th Anniversary Edition of the Veteran’s Service Recognition Book shows an image of the Cenotaph located at Sullivan’s Pond in Dartmouth. This Cenotaph is maintained and revered by the membership of Somme Br 31, District F, Dartmouth, and is used yearly for their Remembrance Day ceremony.
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 3 President’s Message As President of Nova Scotia/ Nunavut Command, I would like to thank all those that have contributed to the publication of this 20th edition of the Veterans’ Service Recognition Book. These publications provide an opportunity to recognize Veterans that have served and are presently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, during times of War and Peace. We all can be proud of their service and dedication, so that we might live in a Peaceful and Democratic society. It is especially important that these stories and biographies are circulated throughout our many communities as a way to pay tribute, that is so deserving to our Veterans. We thank Editor Comrade Steve Wessel for his continued promotion and support of this most worthy publication. Also, we appreciate Fenety Marketing and Mark Fenety for their professional efforts in the publishing of this and previous editions. Enjoy this 20th Anniversary Edition. Yours in Comradeship Don McCumber President Nova Scotia/ Nunavut Command The Royal Canadian Legion
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 9 Project Chairman/Editor’s Message As project Chairman/Editor, it is an honour and a privilege to present the 2024 edition, the 20th anniversary book in our Veteran Service Recognition Book (VSRB) series. For 20 years these books have been produced in an effort to honour, acknowledge and remember the contributions made by so many brave Canadians who have served, not only in times of war, but also during many peacekeeping and peacemaking missions. We also recognize and support those men and women who continue the proud tradition of service to Canada throughout the world in the Canadian Forces and the RCMP. When NS/NU Command made the decision to partner with Fenety Marketing to produce these commemorative books, it was not a decision easily arrived at, there was pronounced doubt that the project would succeed, as our Command had never attempted a fund-raising project of this type. The Executive of the day stated, “We’ll give it one year, and see how it plays out.” I was positive about the concept of these books from the beginning, and remain confident that our Legion Branches, and the general public, appreciate that our Veterans are publicly acknowledged for their contributions and sacrifices to Canada and the world. As always, I wish to thank all those at Fenety Marketing, especially Mark, Kathy and Lisa, for their continued partnership, their patience and shared expertise in the production of these books. I would also like to recognize and thank Comrade Gary Silliker, CD, for his in-depth research and continued contributions to these publications. Thanks Gary! In closing, we look forward to issuing the 21st edition of the VSRB series in the fall of 2025, and if you would like to contribute to the 2025 edition, I encourage you to use the form at the back of this book and send it to our Command office, or use the fill-in form on our website at www.ns.legion.ca. In Comradeship, Stephen Wessel Project Chairman / Editor Veterans’ Service Recognition Book
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 20 10 Victoria - Edmonton - Regina - Saskatoon - Winnipeg Hamilton - Trenton - Kingston - Ottawa - Petawawa Oromocto - New Minas - Lower Sackville - St. John’s
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 11 Nova Scotia / Nunavut Command Poster and Literary Contest Winners – 2024 1st Place Senior Colour Poster, Olivia Felker Submitted by Habitant Br 073, District D Note: 2nd Place at National Level 2nd Place Senior Colour Poster, Hannah Reinhart-Smith Submitted by New Germany Br 102, District E continued ... Through the annual National Youth Remembrance Contests, the Legion National Foundation, with the support of The Royal Canadian Legion and schools across the country, invite Canadian youth and children to honour Canada’s Veterans and foster the tradition of Remembrance through visual art, writing, and video. The contests include multiple levels of competition. Poster and literary works compete first at the Legion Branch local level, with winning entries moving forward until they reach the provincial level. Video entries compete first at the Legion Command provincial level. Provincial finalists of all contests then move forward for final judging by the Legion National Foundation to determine the national winners. All winners at the national level are awarded a cash prize for their work. First Place Senior Winners are eligible for our most prestigious award – a trip to Ottawa and an opportunity to represent the youth of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony. The following are the NS/NU Command provincial winners for 2024 including a notation for those entries which were recognized at the National level.
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 13 2nd Place Intermediate Colour Poster, Kassie Clark Submitted by Oxford Br 036, District C 1st Place Intermediate Colour Poster, Trista Barnes Submitted by Elmsdale Br 048, District F continued ... continued ... 1st Place Junior Colour Poster, Dylan Reyno Submitted by Colchester Br 026, District C 2nd Place Junior Colour Poster, Brooklyn Redmond Submitted by Four Harbours Br 120, District F
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 15 continued ... continued ... 1st Place Primary Colour Poster, Christian Mattatal Submitted by Tatamagouche Br 064, District C 2nd Place Primary Colour Poster, Camilla Peverill Submitted by Habitant Br 073 District D 1st Place Senior B&W Poster, Amber Davis Submitted by Hants County Br 009, District D 2nd Place Senior B&W Poster, Esme Reinhart Submitted by New Germany Br 102, District E
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 17 1st Place Intermediate B&W Poster, Rachel Lowe Submitted by New Germany Br 102, District E continued ... 2nd Place Intermediate B&W Poster, Austin Nickerson Submitted by Fairview Br 142 District F, 1st Place Junior B&W Poster, Kylee Snider Submitted by Ortona Br 059 District D 2nd Place Junior B&W Poster, Kenzie Smith Submitted by Habitant Br 073 District D continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 19 continued ... continued ... Following are a selection of the 1st place Poetry and Essay submissions as well as a listing of 2nd place in each category: THE WAR IN MY HEAD I hide like a coward, the feeling of guilt running through my veins The smell of smoke invading my lungs, I can almost taste it in the back of my throat. The sound of gunfire ring within my ears, the mud and sweat cling to my body. My heart beating like a constant drum, aim, shoot, kill, move on. I would repeat in my head that was an order, it is what I must do. “Grandad?” a child’s voice rang out, my eyes open and I realize I’m not in the war. I’m no longer in that battlefield, I’m with my grandson in a field with life instead of death. I’m here with my grandson watching the night sky light up with red and blue fireworks. The innocent look in my grandson’s eyes would take me back to my youth, Before the bloodshed and all the lost souls. I hug him close, afraid to lose him, I look up at the bright lights as tears begin to well in my eyes. “Isn’t it beautiful?” I whisper as the tears roll down my cheeks. 1st Place Senior Poetry, Abby Burton Submitted by Springhill Br 017 District C Note: 2nd Place at the National Level 2nd Place Senior Poetry, Josaphine Thompson Submitted by Elmsdale Br 048 District F 1st Place Primary B&W Poster, Elliot Sabine Submitted by Habitant Br 073 District D 2nd Place Primary B&W Poster, Daniel Walker Submitted by Arras Br 059 District B
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 21 continued ... continued ... THE MERCHANT MARINES Unsung heroes of the terrible Wars. Delivered supplies to Europe, Critical help from our Canadian shores. The treacherous Atlantic waters are where they sailed, They weren’t always recognized as Veterans, But now their stories have prevailed. They had the highest casualties of the Canadian Corps. They sacrificed it all for strangers, Always willing to sail once more. Hundreds of sunken ships underneath the dark waves, No fields full of poppies to show where they lay. The mariners left to their watery graves. Without their heroic assists in victory, Canada’s freedom as we know it, Would have been history. 1st Place Intermediate Poetry, Nolan MacNeil Submitted by Port Hawkesbury Br 043 District A 2nd Place Intermediate Poetry, Rowen Dunbar Submitted by Elmsdale Br 048 District F
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 23 continued ... continued ... 1st Place Junior Poetry, Anna Reid Submitted by Hants County Br 009 District D 2nd Place Junior Poetry, Cali Taggart Submitted by Oxford Br 036 District C WE WILL REMEMBER THEM The wreath sits. The bugle plays the Last Post. The red poppy blows. The flag soars above our heads. The cadets salute. We will remember them. The rifle fires The shells fly by The brave troops fight The mustard gas fills the trench The allies march with us We will remember them. The soldiers fill the boat People wish them luck The wives cry The bright sun shines The kids wave We will remember them
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 25 continued ... continued ... 1st Place Senior Essay, Tucker Doiron Submitted by Colchester Br 026 District C 2nd Place Senior Essay, Ivan Martynenko Submitted by Colchester Br 026 District C HANK When I was told I had to write this essay I was delighted. I have been wanting to do this for some time. My great grandfather was born in rural Nova Scotia, Blockhouse, near Lunenburg on Jul 23, 1921 and died at the age of 95 on September 14, 2016, and he was the sixth child out of ten. He was a smart kid and always loved planes, according to his sister. So when the war came it was obvious he was going to go into the air force. He joined the military when he was 20, so in 1941 he signed up. During his time in the air force he did missions with 420 RCAF as a tail gunner in Wellington bombers and that is where he got the nickname Crash, even though we never called him that; I always thought it was not a nice thing to say, and maybe it would bring up bad memories. Crash. The reason they called him Crash was when my great grandfather was doing missions with 420 RCAF as a tail gunner in 1942, three years before the war ended, he was sent on a mission to drop a bomb on a German submarine base off the French coast at Lorient. They left in the early afternoon from Middleton, St. George. The weather was poor that afternoon but they made the trip anyway, as my grandfather said, it was “one trip closer to going home”. As they made their way to the French coast, they were ready to drop their 4000 pound bomb. When they pressed the release button to drop the bomb, nothing happened; the bomb did not drop and it was definitely active. They tried everything to get rid of that bomb. They went into a dive and lifted up but nothing changed and they were running out of fuel. So the crew made the decision that they were going to jump out over the coast and let the plane crash into the ocean. But as they were going, they flew through a no fly zone to get to the place they planned to crash, which was into British territory. They ended up getting shot at by British artillery and they managed to survive that. When they were about to jump they felt the aircraft rise; it lifted up. They knew the 4000 pound bomb fell, and it ended up dropping over Britain, but it landed harmlessly in farmland. So they were now going to land the plane, but they were running out of fuel, and too far from an airfield, so they had to land somewhere. They knew there was a landing strip in a field at Exeter, but the weather was still bad. When they ended up coming into Exeter, the fog was down at 500 feet and there were hills at 700 so they had to be careful. They thought they saw a landing strip but it was not, so they crashed-landed in Exeter. My great grandfather was pulled out of the crash with one other crew member, but sadly the four other crew members passed away. Hank and his other crew mate were taken to the Queen Victoria hospital. Guinea Pig Club. When he was taken to the hospital my great grandfather was severely burned all over his hands and face, and he had to have plastic surgery which was new in the medical field during World War II. That’s why they were called guinea pigs. Luckily his operation was very successful. He got feeling back in his hands and the nerve damage went away very quickly. Unfortunately that was not the case for many. To this day the surviving guinea pig members still get together every year.
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 27 continued ... continued ... SARAH MERCER – CANADIAN HERO IN SERVICE In a world full of uncertainty and adversity, heroes emerge as a beacon of hope and freedom. They captivate our hearts and draw us to them, earning our respect and admiration. Many of us want to make a positive impact on the world. To do this, we can learn from those who came before us; those who change the world on the front lines. This is the story of a hero from Fredericton, New Brunswick, who went on to brilliantly and courageously serve her country. This extraordinary woman is my aunt and heron, Sarah Mercer. Sarah’s story began in 1996, when she was 23, she joined the navy to travel the world. In 1999, Sarah was deployed to Northern Europe with the NATO SNF. She served as an NCI Operator, searching for submarines, tracking surface vessels, and learning to evade enemies trying to board their ship. Shortly thereafter, Sarah was deployed to the Persian Gulf, supporting the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Acting as an NCI Operator, Sarah played a key rolein tracking smuggling ships. She recalls one experience in particular, when their ship was tracking a vessel that kept disappearing. Eventually, they found and boarded the ship, once they discovered the hull had been painted differently on each side to evade detection. In September 2006, after becoming an Intelligence Operator and joining the Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Center, Sarah deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Afghanistan Intelligence support team. There, she worked with the Deployed Imagery Support Team, supporting Operation Medusa. As an Imagery Analyst, Sarah provided crucial intelligence that assisted in locating and dismantling Taliban hideouts. Sarah also helped locate and disrupt Taliban supply lines via drone strikes. She remained inAfghanistan until February 2007, contributing to other operations in Kandahar, while also going “outside the wire” on an assignment at a Forward Operating Base in Sperwan Ghar. After returning from Afghanistan, she became a Naval Intelligence Officer and took a 3-year posting in Miami, Florida. Upon her return to Canada, she retired after 24 years of service. For her dedication and service, she received the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the General Campaign Star, and the Canadian Decoration Medal. Sarah now lives in Ottawa, Canada with her two playful Corgis; Oscar and Cooper. She works for the Department of National Defense, continuing to serve, just in a different way. Sarah does not regret her decision to join the military, and says that if she had to live her life over again, she would absolutely choose to serve. The story of my aunt, Sarah Mercer, is a testament to the bravery and valour of our veterans. Sarah joined the military for the opportunity to travel, but now realizes that it was really about a sense of service, to protect her country and its people. To me, in her own way, she changed the world. She inspires me to try to do the same, and makes me honoured and proud to be her nephew. 1st Place Intermediate Essay, Matteo Mercer Submitted by Elmsdale Br 048 District F Note: 2nd Place at the National Level
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 29 2nd Place Intermediate Essay, Katie Davies Submitted by Hants County Br 009 District D Editor’s Note: For those of you who are familiar with these veteran recognition books, we attempt to find and research interesting stories that bring the careers and accomplishments of our Canadian Veterans to life. I believe that Matteo Mercer has accomplished that on behalf of his aunt, Sarah Mercer (photo right). We, the members of the Royal Canadian Legion NS/NU Command, wish to thank Matteo for bringing his aunt’s military career into our lives, and we congratulate him for his 2nd place win at the National Level for his intriguing essay. 1st Place Junior Essay, Lauren Stewart Submitted by Oxford Br 036 District C continued ... 2nd Place Junior Essay, Veronica Eagles Submitted by CB Lumsden Br 074 District D SARAH MERCER, R.C.N. (RET’D) REMEMBERING SOLDIERS Remembrance Day is a day to remember all those people who fought in a time of war. During those times, it would be heartbreaking feeling to hear the bombing, the guns blasting and seeing all the blood from people who were tragically hurt or killed. Many families would be sad and tearful because they have lost a loved one. The cross and the poppy are two symbols that we can use to remember those who were involved in wars. Many soldiers whom we knew and those whom we did not know are currently laying in Flanders Field, where poppies grow around the crosses that mark the soldier’s graves. My great-grandfather, Garnet Long, was a Medic in World War II. He met my great-grandmother, Connie Martin, while stationed in England. After they got married and had one child, my great-grandmother then became a War Bride and left England not knowing what to expect. She and her young son left their country and family behind and traveled on a big boat, called the Queen Mary. In August 1946, the boat landed at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. My great-grandmother and her son were finally safe in Canada. So on the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, I will remember them by attending a Remembrance Day ceremony in my community. So, if you ever hear people talking about the wars, you can just remember the people who died for me and you to make the world free and peaceful. Today, if you would like to show gratitude to all those who were involved in wars, wear a poppy over your heart. Many people also lay wreaths and flowers on graves and monuments to remember what war has done to mankind.
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 20 30 5784 Eastbay Hwy, Ben Eoin, NS B1J 1P4 (902) 270-3195 Proud to Honour and Support our Veterans Thank you for your sacrifices.
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 31 Denis was born in East Finchley, Middlesex County, England on 11 May 1924, he was the son of the late Standbridge Mark and Emily Maud (Dyer) Jarvis. As a teenager he earned a scholarship and was schooled at the Christ College, London. He joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1941, at the age of 17, and started his service on a corvette. While aboard the corvette he did a convoy run to Russia and one to Canada. His last corvette trip was to the western Mediterranean where his ship was attacked by German bombers. During that attack Denis was a gunner on one of the anti-aircraft guns. Two of his friends, who were assisting him on the gun as ammunition carriers, were killed. His damaged ship was taken into a dry dock for repairs. While on shore leave, he saw a notice that the navy was looking for volunteers for special operations and that included extra pay (he thought that was bonus enough for him). Denis joined the naval special forces and served briefly in a RN Commando unit before, at age 19, he was called into a ‘closed door’ meeting to be interviewed by a naval commander. The senior naval officer made note of the fact that Denis had been an accomplished swimmer while in school. He then offered Denis a position in a classified ‘service’ of the Royal Navy. The young ordinary seaman was not given any details about the position, except that it came with a commission and some ‘extra-pay.’ He suspected the job the navy was offering was with the Chariot manned torpedo program. Denis accepted the offer and a few weeks later the newly minted SubLieutenant Denis Jarvis, RNVR, found himself in the service of the Midget Submarine (X-craft) program – not as a chariot operator but as an x-craft diver. He was soon off to Lock Erisort on the Isle of Lewis, in Scotland, for specialized training. Much of his x-craft training was in Holy Loch near Glasgow. On 16 October 1944, Denis married Helen Findley Andrews of Port Glasgow, Scotland. The X-Craft (aka ‘midget submarine’) held a maximum crew of four. They were tasked with clandestine assessments of potential breaches for assaulting forces (this was accomplished by the divers collecting soil/sand samples from the beaches); acting as navigational beacons to help the invasion fleets; and entering enemy-held harbors to destroy infrastructure, sink enemy warships by laying/detonating explosive charges on the harbour floor beneath them, and cutting telephone/telegraphic under-sea cables. Denis Victor Mark Jarvis continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 33 OPERATION FOIL -30/31 July 1945 Occupied Hong Kong Harbour Naval history records the following account: “Tasked with tackling the Hong Kong end of the cable, 'Foil' was entrusted to Lieutenant H. P. Westmacott’s crew in XE-5, which was to be towed from the US Navy base at Subic Bay in the Philippine islands by the British submarine Selene. As well as operating well inshore close to Lamma Island, Westmacott’s divers (Lieutenant B. G. Clarke and Sub Lieutenant D. V. M. Jarvis) had a very hard time of it as they were impeded by the bottom’s thick mud under the constant threat of 'oxygen pete', a poisoning caused by the use of too much oxygen under pressure. Jarvis had made his sortie dressed only in swimming trunks and breathing apparatus and had the misfortune to operate the cutter on his finger, breaking the bone and causing heavy bleeding. In addition, he was badly stung by Portuguese man o’war jellyfish. He was re-embarked through the Wet and Dry compartment. Despite all the challenges, the operation was a success.” For his actions that night Sub-Lieutenant Denis Victor Mark Jarvis was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for “an act of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea”. After the war Denis worked at the London Stock Exchange from 1946 to 1973 – starting as the section-head in the Settlement Dept, then as Superintendent and later Manager; followed by, Computer Manager and Senior Analyst, Consultant and Lecturer on Computer systems. In 1973, Denis and his wife decided to join their son, Michael, and moved to Chester, Nova Scotia. Denis worked on the South Shore for ABCO Industries until his retirement in 1985, starting as the office manager and concluding as the plant manager. His wife Helen died on 14 January 1986. In October 1987, Denis married Mildred “Tilly” Roberts of New Germany, where they lived until she died in December 2015. He was a volunteer with many local institutions such as the South Shore Regional Hospital Board, New Germany and Area Lions Club and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 102, New Germany. Denis continued to live in New Germany until his death on Sunday, 23 April 2017, at the age of 92. XE5 in Subic Bay continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 35 Henry “Harry” Hoyt Pineo was born in Waterville, NS in 1890. He enlisted in the 6th Canadian Mounted Rifles (6 CMR) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Amherst in April 1915. Prior to enlisting in the CEF Harry had served seven years as a reserve soldier in the 14th King’s Canadian Hussars. In civilian life he was employed as a barrister in the law firm of James Layton Ralston of Amherst. Harry had earned a BA from Acadia University and a LLB from Dalhousie University. He was a notable athlete while at college. Harry arrived in France in October. The Canadian Mounted Rifles were re-organized in late 1915, with the personnel of the six battalions being combined into four battalions. Lieutenant Harry Pineo was posted to 5 CMR on 2 January 1916 and promoted to Captain 2 weeks later. He was killed in action on 21 July 1916 when his position was struck by an enemy trench mortar near Zillebeke. The war diary of 5 CMR records his death: “Casualties, Killed: Captain Heny Hoyt Pineo, OC ‘D’ Company, by trench mortar” The soldiers who died alongside Harry were Privates J T Atkins (age 17) of London, ON; W Crooks of Toronto; R E Tower of West Sackville, NB; and J Donaldson of Brampton, ON. continued ... Captain Henry Hoyt Pineo Story by Gary Silliker Henry Pineo, Dalhousie University Graduate 5 CMR Badge
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 37 continued ... The Berwick Register of 25 July 1916 published the following: “Kings County Officer Killed in Action - Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Pineo, of Waterville, received a telegram from Ottawa this (Tuesday) morning, announcing the sad news that their son Henry had been killed in action on July 21st. He was the only son and 25 years of age, and a young man of great promise, being a member of Mr. Ralston's law firm in Amherst. He enlisted as Lieut. in the 6th Mounted and had a rapid advancement which he well earned.” Captain Henry Hoyt Pineo is buried in the Poperinge New Military Cemetery, in Poperinge, Belgium. He is commemorated in the Berwick Cemetery, the Kentville Legion War Memorial and on the Acadia University cenotaph. The Poperinge New Military Cemetery contains the remains of 681 war dead from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, New Zealand and the UK. Fifteen of the war dead buried there were executed in 1916 and 1917 – three of the 15 are Canadians. Kentville Legion War Memorial
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 20 38 CONSTRUCTION www.rysonconstruction.com WE’RE BUILDING BUSINESS
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 39 On 11 December 1980 Susan Stark declared the Canadian Oath of Allegiance swearing fealty to the monarch of Canada and arrived in Cornwallis Nova Scotia on 2 January 1981 in the midst of a raging snowstorm to begin what became 35 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. ATri-Service Veteran, Susan reached the rank of Cadet Major in the Army Cadet movement, a youth organization she still holds in the highest regard. Because of her Cadet experience and training Susan says she always knew she wanted to join the CAF. Retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, steady promotion brought posting to Cornwallis following trades training as Clerk/Administration in Borden. It was then on to Goosebay, Greenwood, St. John’s, Petawawa, Netherlands, Halifax, a return to Goosebay, Kingston to Cold Lake then retiring as Wing Ops Chief from CFB Trenton. Susan’s career in a human resource counseling and management role allowed her to provide support to her brothers and sisters in uniform and from that perspective to be especially aware of the unique challenges faced by those who serve this country and, the challenges the CAF faces in recruitment. She acknowledges there has been positive change in areas such as eligibility criteria, maternity rights and acceptance, child care and need for time to attend to ill children. She says we still have a long way to go, it’s still a man’s army and although we say men and women will serve in trenches together, she’s not sure that could or would actually happen. She says the percentage of women serving in combat arms still has not yet reached the target. Susan says her career in the CAF provided personal growth, opportunity and so many memorable experiences that a civilian life could not have offered. She loved every minute of it! Nova Scotia called her and her husband home in 2017. They settled in Bridgewater where Susan joined The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24, served on the Branch Executive and eventually accepted the role of Service Officer with the Branch. She’s passionate about all that The Royal Canadian Legion has to offer and feels fortunate to continue advocating for those who have served and those who continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their families. Susan B. Stark MMM CD Chief W.O., (ret’d.)
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 20 40 Sgt. Mark Charles Gallagher RCMP Regimental Number 46470 September 2,1959 - January 12, 2010 Sgt. Gallagher was deployed July 7, 2009 on a nine-month tour of duty to Port-au-Prince, Haiti as one of many RCMP members participating in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Project Coordination). On January 12, 2010, within hours of returning from a Christmas break, a powerful earthquake struck close to Port-au-Prince resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of residents. Sgt. Gallagher was killed when the structure he was within collapsed around him. Sgt. Gallagher, originally from New Brunswick, was a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police posted at ‘H’ Division, in Halifax, NS. He also served in New Brunswick. Four years after his death, a Vocational School bearing his name (École Professionnelle du Mark Gallagher), was constructed to Canadian Standards for seismic resistance in a suburb of Port-au-Prince. It replaced one that collapsed during the earthquake taking the lives of 150 students and 4 teaching sisters. Nova Scotia RCMP Veterans’ Association Lest We Forget
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 41 Alexander Griswold Viets was born on 25 April 1878 in Digby, Nova Scotia, his parents were John Moors and Jane Snow Viets. He served in the Boer War, 1899-1902, with the 3rd Canadian Rifles. A few weeks after the start of WWI, he joined the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry on 3 September 1914. During intense fighting at the Ypres Salient in May of 1915, a mortar bomb landed beside him destroying his eyes and wounding his face, arms and legs. After an extended recovery, he became the first soldier blinded in WWI to return to Canada. He married Mary Elizabeth Moody on 25 April 1917. Alexander Viets wrote in the St. Dunstan’s Review of 1917, “The care and education of the blind in Canada generally ... is in a very bad state ... We think it will be through the returned blinded soldiers that considerable interest will be aroused, and when the war is over a lot of good can be done in ... educating and interesting the general public.” This proved correct. In 1918 Viets was instrumental in founding the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and the returned Canadian war blinded took on leadership roles in the blind community in general, and were to become ambassadors for their disability. Alexander Viets worked for an insurance company until his death on 22 April 1949, he is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. Alexander Griswold Viets, BOER WAR & WWI
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 43 Concept and Execution Between February 1938 and September 1939 nearly 100 Canadians were recruited into the British Armed Forces. Many of these Canadians opted to enlist in the 2nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment (M.G.) – aka 2/Mancs. Some opted for service in other infantry regiments and corps. This group of Canadians became affectionately known as the “Halifax 100.” Retired Lieutenant Colonel Robert Billopp Willis lead this recruitment drive from his home in Halifax. Willis was born in Petitcodiac, NB, in 1877. He served as a lieutenant in “H” Company of the First Canadian Contingent that travelled to South Africa in 1899. Willis accepted a transfer to the Manchester Regiment of the British Army in 1900. He returned to Halifax in 1906 and was transferred to the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR). During the Great War he was assigned to garrison and training duties in Halifax. Major Willis was transferred to the Canadian Expeditionary Force, in a staff position, on 3 December 1918. In late 1919 he was transferred back to the regular battalion of the RCR and remained with that unit until his retirement in 1924. In late 1937, a young man named Walter O’Hara, approached Willis about finding a way for him to join the BritishArmy. The retired staff officer used his connections in the Manchester Regiment and by February 1938 O’Hara was on his way to England. Willis arranged for Walter’s friend, Bill Adams, to join him in England in August. It appears that Walter and Bill grew up on the same street prior to family tragedies which resulted in both boys going to an orphanage. Shortly after that, many young Canadians were contacting Willis for assistance in getting into the British forces. Jobs were scarce in Canada during the 1930s and many young men were looking for employment, travel, and excitement. The harsh economic conditions of that era, as well as a lack of federal funding for the Canadian military, frustrated many militia members in their failed attempts to join the ‘permanent force’ in Canada. The Halifax newspapers soon ran stories about the large groups of men congregating in Willis’ front yard at 252 Tower Road. continued ... The Halifax 100 collated and edited by Gary Silliker Over a decade ago, Dave Gilhen of Halifax, took it upon himself to chronical the stories of the many men, primarily from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, who enlisted in the armed forces of England prior to the outbreak of WW II. Much of this article is based upon Dave’s excellent research and unflagging dedication to their memory.
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 20 44
Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Willis conducted interviews and arranged for medical examinations. Once a recruit was approved for service, Willis arranged for them to be hired as a deckhand for a trip to England aboard ships of the Manchester Steamer Lines. Starting in September 1938, small groups of four or five men were leaving Halifax on a regular basis. During WW II men of the ‘100’ would engage with the enemy in France, Sicily, Italy, Lebanon, Norway, Egypt, Libya, the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, India and Burma. Others would become prisoners of war and incarcerated in Italy, Germany, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan, and Burma. Historical and wartime service information for some of the Halifax 100 is very sparse. In some cases, there is just a name; consequently, ‘possible names’ found in the NS Vital Statistics have been included. Their stories are presented here, organized in the precedence of units of the British Armed Forces and starting with an individual’s original unit. ROYALARTILLERY (RA) Robert David Bickford was born into an army family in Halifax on 26 July 1917. His father, Sergeant-Major Robert David Bickford, was stationed at Wellington Barracks. Lance- Bombardier Robert David Bickford Jr served in the 5th Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery. On 15 February 1942 he was taken prisoner in Singapore. After spending several months at Changi Prison, he was sent to Taiwan on the ‘hellship’ England Maru and spent the remainder of the war in Taihoku and Shirakawa POW camps. During this period Bob served in the clandestine group ’The Formosa International Rover Crew.’ Former Boy Scouts who took on the task of caring for the desperate needs of the wounded, sick and dying POWs. After the war Lance Bombardier Robert David Bickford settled in Runcorn, Cheshire, England and died there on 3 May 1985. John Clayton Goodman was born in Halifax on 14 August 1913 to William and Fanny (Heath) Goodman. John’s father was an artillery non-commissioned officer with the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery in Halifax. John followed in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the Royal Artillery. Gunner Goodman was posted to Singapore in December 1940 as a member of the 9th Coastal Regiment. He was part of the large British force that surrendered to the Imperial Japanese Army on 15 February 1942. Eventually John was sent to work on the Burma-Thailand Railway construction project (aka “the Death Railway”). During the railway's construction, over 90,000 of the Southeast Asian civilian ‘forced’ laborers died. More than 12,000 Allied prisoners of war also perished there. Those deaths are primarily attributable to disease, malnutrition, exposure, lack of medical attention and/or physical abuse. Gunner John Clayton Goodman of Ferguson’s Cove was 28 years old when he died of cholera on 3 July 1943 at the Tonchan South Camp. His ashes are buried in the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 45 continued ... continued ...
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 20 46 Securing Maritime Families Since 1948 Rob Beairsto President 902-471-9277 Derek Doiron Secretary Treasurer 902-471-6927 105-900 Windmill Rd., Dartmouth NS B3B 1P7 Ph: 902 445-5301 Fax: 902 445-5303 teamsters927@ns.sympatico.ca (250) 661-8076 info@cindywezenbeek.com cindywezenbeek.com Lest We Forget Veteran Owned Business Remembering those who served
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 47 continued ... NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT (NStaffsR) Carl Robert Coulstring was born in Halifax on 24April 1917 toArthur Alexander and Minnie May (Zinck) Coulstring. Carl’s father was a regular force sapper in the Royal Canadian Engineers. Carl enlisted in the North Staffordshire Regiment in the spring of 1939. After being evacuated from Dunkirk he was transferred to the 8th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment - a ‘home defence’ unit. Private Carl Robert Coulstring was killed 12 March 1941 during a Luftwaffe bombing raid on Merseyside. Twenty-three-year-old Coulstring was in 'C' Company Headquarters in Wallasey when it was destroyed by enemy bombs. Carl Robert Coulstring is buried in the Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery in grave 6H3. 1st Battalion/MANCHESTER REGIMENT (1/Mancs) Walter O’Hara enlisted in the British Army on 24 February 1938; becoming the first recruit of the ‘100.’ He was born in Halifax on 12 December 1917 to Nora O’Hara. His mother died in 1929 and he was placed in the care of St. Patrick’s Boys’ Home. After training Walter was posted to 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment (M.G.) just in time to travel to Singapore, with his battalion, as part of the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade. Private Walter O’Hara was assigned to 16 Platoon as a machine gunner. Soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) invaded Singapore in early February 1942. After a bitter defense, the garrison surrendered on 15 February. About 80,000 British and Commonwealth troops became POWs of the IJA. Private O’Hara was imprisoned in Singapore until January 1943 – at which time he was sent to work on the Burma-Thailand Railway. Walter survived the horror of the ‘death railway’ and was returned to Singapore in July 1944. He was liberated in September 1945 and returned to England. Walter married Emily Higham on 13 December 1945 in Collyhurst, Manchester (her two brothers had served with Walter throughout the war) Walter and Emily moved to Canada in 1946. In 1950 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery for service in Korea. He served in Korea with the 2nd Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Walter served 32 years in the armies of Canada and England. Walter O’Hara died on 5 April 1996, at age 78, and is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredericton, New Brunswick. 2nd Battalion/ MANCHESTER REGIMENT (2/Mancs) This battalion arrived in France on 23 September 1939. 2/Mancs were the divisional machine gun battalion of the 2nd British Division. Companies of 2/Mancs were attached to the 4th, 5th, and 6th Brigades of the division. In November 2012 a memorial plaque honouring the Halifax 100 was installed on the gate of Ladysmith Barracks Ashton-under-Lyne, England. ‘The Snowballers’ In January 1940 at least eight of the Canadian 2/Mancs; Arnold Carver and Gerald Crouse of Italy Cross; Norm Eisener of Dartmouth; Don Morrison, Jack Foster, G Neville and Ted Vere-Holloway of Halifax; Ric Serrick of Jollimore, and G. Neville of Ottawa, volunteered for a new unit being created that required experienced skiers. According to Don Morrison the boredom of trench life in the front lines in France, compounded by being one of the coldest winters in recent memory, motivated the men for the new challenge. continued ...
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 20 48 fundycompost@gmail.com ALEX TERMEER 1332 Pleasant Valley Rd., Green Creek, NS B0N 1C0
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 49 continued ... Nicknamed ‘The Snowballers,’ its intent was to assist the Finns in their fight against the Russians. Training took place in France and Scotland. The force returned to France, from Scotland, in February 1940 for onwards transportation to Finland. Political pressures from France, Sweden and Norway hampered the move. By the time things were sorted out, Finland had an armistice with Russia and the operation was cancelled in March. Most of the soldiers were returned to their units. 2/Mancs were part of the front line that absorbed the German attack on 10 May 1940 and then fought a rear-guard action all the way back to the beaches at Dunkirk. By 4 June the battalion had suffered 223 casualties – dead, wounded, or taken as prisoners of war. The battalion would later serve in Indian and Burma. Private William ‘Bill’ Douglas Adams was born in Halifax on 8 July 1918 to James Rupert and Margaret Jane Adams. His mother died in 1929 and his father died in 1932. Bill was placed in the care of St. Patrick’s Boys’ Home, Halifax. He enlisted in 2/Mancs on 8 August 1938. Bill was killed in action sometime between 10-29 May 1940.He was 22 years old and is buried in the Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France. In 1954, a street in Antigonish was named “in memory of William Adams who was the first casualty of the Second World War from Antigonish.” Adams Street. E J Anderson was from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He travelled from Halifax to England aboard the Manchester Commerce and enlisted in 2/Mancs on 12 April 1939. Herbert Carlton ‘Carl’ Anderson was born in Sydney on 11 January 1920 to William Oscar and Elsie Grace Anderson. He was 19 years old when he enlisted in the 2/Mancs on 12April 1939. Carl was wounded during the withdrawal to Dunkirk. He transferred to the Canadian Army in 1941 and was posted to the Toronto Scottish Regiment and was wounded during the Dieppe raid. After the war he found work in Hamilton as a plumber’s apprentice. He went to work in the car manufacturing industry in 1949 and became one of the founding members of the United Automobile Workers. Carl became a well-known and very capable union organizer in North America. Carl died of colon cancer 17 April 1983 in Hamilton, Ontario. Leonard 'Len' Charles Andrews was from Dartmouth. He was working on the Canadian National Steamships ‘Lady Boats’ (cruise liners in the Caribbean) when he heard the British Army was recruiting in Halifax. Len enlisted in 2/Mancs on 28 March 1939. He survived the fighting in France and evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940, transferring to the CanadianArmy in 1941. He ended the war as a regimental quartermaster sergeant in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. After the war Len worked in the Torpedo Shop of the Naval Armament Department at HMC Dockyard Halifax. He retired from Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot Bedford in December 1978. Len died on 22 May 2006 at age 89. William 'Bill' Charles Henry Backman was born on 19 May 1918 and grew up in Melville Cove. He enlisted in 2/Mancs on 17 November 1938. After he was evacuated from Dunkirk he took the opportunity, in 1941, to transfer to the Canadian Army. After the war he went on to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Bill died on 5 September 2006 in British Columbia at age 88. John Bernard Bailey (Baily) was born in Imperoyal Woodside, Halifax County, on 25 November 1921. Information about his service is sparse. He enlisted in 2/Mancs and was wounded (probably during the retreat from Dunkirk). In 1941 he transferred to the Canadian Army and served with a regiment from Ontario (probably the Toronto Scottish Regiment). John died on 18 April 1964. continued ...
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