391 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND McKINNON, Mary B. Mary was born in Breaside, Ontario on June 14, 1891. She enlisted in the Army on June 20, 1916 and served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, 1st Canadian General Hospital in Canada, England, France and the high seas during World War I. Mary was a nurse at Camp Petawawa and volunteered for overseas duty in 1916. She was discharged on December 22, 1919. Mary was married to Dr. John Mills in 1922 and they had one child, Mary (1923). Mary passed away on September 11, 1971. McKNIGHT, William J. “Bill” William was born in Webbwood, Ontario on April 10, 1922. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Airforce in 1942. He served first in Canada (possibly Moncton, New Brunswick) in aircraft maintenance during World War II. When transferred overseas, Bill’s regiment landed at Bournemouth, England. Due to his earlier experience working with the Salvation Army, Bill was sent to the Long Marston Air Command in charge of materials and running the canteen. In any time he had off, Bill was happy entertaining all with his singing and guitar playing. It was during this time at Long Marston while attending the airmen’s mess that Bill met his bride-to-be, Alice Girling. Bill returned to Canada upon his discharge from the RCAF in the spring of 1945 to help run the family tourist camp, Cutler Lake Lodge, and to await the arrival of his War Bride, Alice. He has been a member of Massey Legion Branch 432 for sixty years. William passed away on November 23, 2006. McKNIGHT (GIRLING), Alice L. Alice was born in London, England on November 12, 1923. She enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary of the Royal Air Force (WAAF) in the late fall of 1941. She was stationed during World War II at Wolverhampton Air Command in the north of England for basic training. From there, Alice was transferred to RAF Bridgnorth and later to RAF Honeybourne Airfield. Alice ended her air force service at RAF Long Marston where she worked first in Stores issuing supplies. During a staff shortage, Alice volunteered to fill in for the cook and her last job was as a cook at the Base Hospital. The stage was set for Alice’s later life in Canada when a good-looking, young Canadian airman came into the airmen’s mess one night while working the night shift and confided to his buddies “see that little dark-haired gal – I’m going to marry her.” And marry her, he did! Alice and Bill (William J. McKnight) were married on June 30, 1945. Alice was discharged from the W.A.A.F. on September 24, 1945 and joined her husband in Canada in the spring of 1946. Alice still resides in Northern Ontario, Canada. She has been a member of Massey Legion Branch 432.
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