289 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND SMART, John W. John was born on July 8, 1925 in Welland, Ontario. He enlisted in the Army in March 1944 in Petawawa but was unable to go overseas because of feet complications. He was discharged on May 16, 1946. John passed away on May 18, 2009. SMITH, John Henry “Harry” Harry was born on July 26, 1884 in Saintbury, Gloucestershire, England and he immigrated to Canada in 1904. He joined the Canadian Army on September 26, 1914 and served with the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, in Canada, Britain and France. He fought on the front lines around Ypres and later was assigned to the Canadian Base Depot in France, probably as a payroll clerk. Back to the front lines in August 1918 with the 4th Battalion, he participated in the attack on Abancourt on October 1, 1918. His Battalion “fought forward with unsurpassed bravery under murderous machine gun and artillery fire”. After the battle, he was promoted to Lance Sergeant and awarded the Military Medal. When hostilities ceased, he marched into Germany with the Army of Occupation. He returned to Canada and farmed near Walsh, Ontario. Harry married Stella Rowles in 1920 and they raised seven children. From 1933-1938, Harry served on the Charlotteville Township Council and was Warden of Norfolk County. He died on June 16, 1939 and is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery Soldiers’ Plot in Simcoe, Ontario. SMITH, James B. James was born in Toronto, Ontario on February 15, 1913. When he was 31 years old, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Lachine, Quebec where he served as a flight instructor. He obtained the rank of Sergeant during his time in the service. James was released honourably on September 26, 1945 and he received his medal of service. James had a daughter with his wife Florence who passed away a few years ago. Today, James is 101 years old and lives in a retirement home in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He still carries his medal in his wallet and proudly shows everyone that he earned it.
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