325 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND WHITEHEAD, William Alexander “Chum” Chum was born on June 22, 1922 in Gravenhurst, Ontario. He enlisted in September 14, 1942 and was discharged on February 25, 1946, having served with the 1st Canadian Corps, Supply and Transport, in Canada, England, Italy, Holland and Belgium. He was initially denied entry to the Army due to missing half of his trigger finger but he was accepted with a “B” category. He was the second-best shot in his platoon during basic training. Chum did more training in England and served in the Italian campaign, experiencing heavy shelling while on convoys across the Adriatic. He drove supply trucks, providing food and petrol for the troops. For a time, he served as an MP in Ghent, Belgium. Chum returned to Gravenhurst and was employed and the Rubberset factory where he met Eileen Tunney whom he married in November 1946. He was awarded a Life Membership from Harry Wray Legion Branch 302 and was a member there for sixty-four years. Chum passed away on October 7, 2010. WILCOCK, Richard Richard was born on June 29, 1877 in Artemesia Township, Grey City. He enlisted in the Army on March 20, 1916 and served as a Private with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Central Ontario Regiment) in Canada, England and France. He went to fight on the front lines and was at Vimy Ridge on from April 9-14. Unlike many Canadians, Richard survived this battle and moved on to Arras where fighting happened between April 22 and May 25. He would have fought at Ypres from July 31, 1917 and it is believed he died in this battle on August 1, 1917. He was stationed with the First Army which was based in underground tunnels in the limestone hillside at Arras, Longemarck and La Targette. This was part of the Battle of Passchendaele. At the present time, they cannot say how he died but do say it was probably from enemy bullets. He is now buried in the La Targette British Cemetery, Neuville-St. Vaast. WHITESIDE, Grant M. Grant was born in Hamilton, Ontario on July 23, 1914. He enlisted in the Canadian Active Service on September 5, 1939 at the age of 25 and served with the 1st Unit Signal Corps of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. After his initial and trades in Canada, he was posted overseas to the United Kingdom on August 22, 1940. During his five years there, he served in Ashstead, Epson and Basingstoke before returning on August 17, 1945. Grant was honourably discharged on October 10, 1945. His decorations include the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939-45 and the Canadian Efficiency Medal. Grant was a member of Sir Arthur Currie Legion Branch 116 for twenty years before he passed away in April 1978 at the age of 64.
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