Military Service Recognition Book 462 ONTARIO COMMAND SPADONI, Walter R. Walter was born on April 23, 1920 in White River, ON. He enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served the Canadian Armed Forces for three years in Canada, Belgium, Holland, Germany, England and Scotland. He continued serving after the war ended as part of the Special Service Force assisting the German police. One of the most notable individuals his team investigated and interviewed was Alfried Krupp. He was discharged in 1946. When he returned to his home town, he rejoined his family business in the operations of Spadoni Bros. Limited – General merchants where he worked diligently into his senior years. Walter was among one of the founding members of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 169, White River in 1950 and was instrumental in the inception of St. Basils Roman Catholic School in 1960. He enjoys living in his hometown of White River, where he is currently the oldest citizen. SPARLING, Edgar “Ed” Ed was born on October 6, 1937 in Shawville, QC. Cdr Sparling served in the Regular Force onboard several ships, destroyers and submarines, including HMCS Ontario, Crescent, Stettler, Antigonish, Ottawa and Cowichan. He transferred to the Naval Reserve and was Commanding Officer of HMCS York. He owns his own manufacturing company and produces paper goods for consumers. He is currently the President of The Royal Canadian Legion Fort York Branch 165. SPANIS, Christos Christos was born on June 10, 1923 in Barrie, ON. He enlisted in the Navy on October 25, 1944 and served in Canada and in the North Atlantic with the R.C.N.V.R. during World War II. Near the end of the War, Lt. O’Champ selected Christos and five others to train as “Frog Men”. Following this training, the six were given a week’s leave and returned to Toronto at HMCS York. The mission was to fly to Vancouver, board a ship for the South Seas. “We were trained to swim undetected in order to fasten explosive devices to Japanese ships, activate the device and scram for shore or the scheduled rendezvous point”. Christos has been a member of the Dr. W.C. (Bill) Little Branch in Barrie for 25 years.
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