495 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND WATTS, George Allan George was born in Rainy River, Ontario in 1916. He enlisted in the Army in September 1939 with the Winnipeg Grenadiers. In May 1940 his battalion was shipped to Jamaica, diverted to Bermuda for three months of Special Training. On October 25, 1941 he boarded converted liner Awatea. They landed in Hong Kong on November 16. George later became a Prisoner of War for nearly four years. He weighed 58 pounds and was one of the few survivors from the slave labour gangs. He spent five months in hospital to be nursed back to health. George moved to Thedford, Ontario and was a very active Masonic member. He received the William Mercer Wilson Medal. George passed away on September 8, 1984. His service was one of the largest Masonic service in the area. WEICHEL, Charles John Michael Charles was born on October 1, 1891 in Elmira, Ontario to John S. and Ida Elizabeth (Ruppel) Weichel. Prior to World War I Charlie worked as a bookkeeper in Elmira. He joined the Army on November 12, 1917 and took his training with the 67th Depot Battery/Artillery Brigade Regiment, upon completion of his training he applied to go overseas. He was posted as a gunner with the 67th Battery/Field Artillery/61st Battery and served in England and France. After the war he married Frances Poffenroth. They had three children, Richard, Marie and Donald. Charles died on April 7, 1980 in Southampton, Ontario and is buried in Elmira, Ontario. WATTS, John K. John was born in Whitby, ON on September 18, 1938. L Col. John K. Watts joined the RCEME Apprentice in 1954. After two years of intensive academic military and trades training he graduated as MM3 Fire Control Tech. He served as NCO in Montreal, Gagetown, Kingston as Lt. Corporal to MWO. He was commissioned in 1970 to Lieutenant, served in 3 Svc Bn, Combat Arms School, Cold Lake CFSAOE Borden instructing young RCEME Officers. He was promoted to Major in 1975 and moved to NDHQ DLAEEM. He did a tour in UNEF Egypt Maintenance Company Commander. He also did a four year tour CFB Uplands – Land Maint O. He returned to NDHQ Project Officer specialised in integrated Logistic Support Analyst on Low Level Air Defence, AVGP, LAV and TOW Under Armour. He retired in 1989 to Calabogie, ON. John is a twelve-year member of The Royal Canadian Legion Renfrew Branch 148.
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