229 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND GLADDING, Frederick “Fred” Frederick was born in Stratford, Ontario on June 5, 1923. Fred joined up in London, Ontario and after several delays, finally made it to Bournemouth, England, in 1944. After further training, (OTU) on Wellington Bombers, he crewed up and flew as Navigator with 415 Sqn (Swordfish). Most of the twenty trips he made with 415 Sqn were night sorties. After further training, Fred volunteered for the “Pathfinder Squadron” (405) and finished the war with twenty trips both in Halifaxes and finishing his service in the famous Lancaster Bomber, with 405 Sqn. (42 trips was more than most flyers achieved) A particular interesting story Fred mentioned was that one day after “VE-Day” he and his crew were asked to fly to Lübeck, Germany to pick up 25 Prisoners of War, who had been captured at Dunkirk. They had spent the whole war as slave labourers. The crew flew over Holland and to England, but first they flew on to the White Cliffs of Dover. They knew then that they were free and home. He was discharged in September 1945 at the rank of Flying Officer. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, CVSM, France and Germany Star, and the 1939-45 Star. Fred flew home after hostilities ceased and furthered his education taking a business course and worked for the Canadian Government in London, ON for a short while. He joined the “Timken Roller Bearing Company” in St. Thomas, ON for 40 years and 11 months. He has been a member of Lord Elgin Legion Branch 41 for two years. He is retired and still enjoys good health. GODWIN, Richard Charles Richard was born in London, England on June 29, 1877. He enlisted in the Army and served with the 98th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in the Netherlands and Canada during World War I. Private Godwin died on July 4, 1920 in Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto at the age of 51 from the effects of mustard gas. He is buried in Hamilton Cemetery and Remembered with Honour. He is also commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. GLEESON, Michael J. P. Michael was born on February 22, 1917 in Ottawa, Ontario. He enlisted in the Canadian Army on August 3, 1935. After his basic training he was assigned to the Royal Canadian Signal Corps and eventually shipped overseas to serve in England. His medals include the Defence of Britain, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp and the War Medal 1939-45. Michael was honourably discharged on April 20, 1947 at the rank of Captain. He passed away on August 16, 1969 at the age of 52.
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