391 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND OLAISEN, Mary Josephine Mary was born November 8, 1918 in Cod Roy Valley, Newfoundland. Mary and her sister read a poster that said “Travel the World” and immediately enlisted in the Merchant Navy. She sailed on the Norwegian ship S.S. Lago (2 women and 36 men) across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, Spain and Africa carrying supplies and ammunition. Mary had to join the Norwegian ship as women who had graduated as radio operators were banned from joining the Canadian or any other Commonwealth ships. On her first trip across the Atlantic, the ship beside her was blown up, this was a terrifying moment. While onboard the ship, Mary met and later married the Chief Engineer, Hans Richard Olaisen. Mary was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Atlantic Star, War Medal 1939-1945, C.V.S.M. and Clasp. She now resides in Port Perry, Ontario at the young age of 95. She has been a member of the Port Perry Legion Branch 419 for 13 years. OLIPHANT, James L. James was born on May 22, 1922 in Toronto, Ontario. Jim joined the Canadian Pacific Airlines early in World War II and was trained in Hagersville, Ontario as a pilot on twin-engined Anson aircraft. He was assigned to anti-submarine patrol on the St. Lawrence River flying out of Quebec City eastward. His Anson was unarmed and had no other flight crew. He also ferried navigation students on training flights from time to time. Jim has a total of 1200 hours in his log book. He was discharged on VE Day – May 8, 1945. He took a train to Montreal then transferred to a night train to Toronto – a quick discharge. Jim’s younger brother Thomas enlisted in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. Shortly after the war, he phoned his mother from London to say he would be home in Toronto by 4 PM local time. At 3 PM, his mother was contacted with the news that Thomas had been killed landing his aircraft at Glasgow. Post war, Jim was a salesman with Link-Belt Ltd. and other companies. OLDFIELD, James W. James was born on March 12, 1924 in Orilla, Ontario. He enlisted in the Army on June 19, 1942 with the 48th Highlanders during World War II. Private Oldfield served as the “Batman” for the commanding officer of the unit in which he served. He was killed shortly after a brief Christmas visit with a fellow soldier from his hometown in Ontario. They had met in an old Farmhouse where Private Oldfield and threw fellow soldiers were bunking. Shortly after the visitor left, the farmhouse was struck with a German artillery shell. All four occupants were killed instantly. James rests in The Canadian War Memorial Cemetery, Ravena, Italy, Plot # 5, Row G, Site # 22. He was 20 years old.
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