313 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND McWATT, Charles William “Bud” Charles was born in Fort Frances, Ontario on February 16, 1929 to Charles and Cicely McWatt. He joined the Army Reserves in May 1943 with the Royal Canadian Artillery 70th Field Battery (S.P) and was called on many times as the bugler. Gunner Charles McWatt was discharged in September 1946. As a youngster, Charles was active with the Fort Frances Town Band playing his bugle and trombone. At the age of 18, he joined the Royal Canadian Legion and held a membership for 72 years. At some point, Charles was given the nickname “Bud”. He married Ramona Bird and they had three children: Sharon, Rick and Rob. Bud worked for the LCBO and retired after more than 35 dedicated years of service as one of their Field Auditors. Bud transferred to the Waterloo Legion Branch 530 in 1978. He passed away on May 29, 2019 at 90 years of age. The Waterloo Legion performed a Veterans Tribute Service during his interment at Parkview Cemetery with a bugler playing The Last Post for him loud and clear in the background. Charles (Bud) McWatt’s name has been inscribed on Plaque 9 of the Waterloo Veterans Memorial Wall. MIDDLETON, William Russell William Russel Middleton was born in Medonte Township near Coldwater, Ontario on October 23, 1891, the son of Isaac and Mary Ann Middleton. On February 23, 1916, Russell enlisted in Orillia with the 157th Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was 25 years old and single when he enlisted in the Army during World War I. Private W. Russell Middleton sailed to England on the SS Cameronia, arriving on October 28, 1916. After training in England, he landed in France and joined his frontline unit on July 27, 1917, the 116th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Lance-Corporal Middleton was killed in action on September 29, 1918 during the “100 Day” final advance. On October 17, 1918, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions on August 8, 1918, near Domart. Lance-Corporal Middleton is buried at Crest Cemetery near Cambrai, France. MERKEL, John David “Jack” John was born in Neustadt, Ontario on May 18, 1892 to Jacob andAgnes (Guittard) Merkel. Prior to World War I, John worked as a polisher at the Sash and Trim factory in Galt, Ontario. He received his draft notice to report to Galt on October 18, 1917. From there, he went to London, Ontario for basic training and was posted to #1 Special Service Co. Private Merkel was hospitalized at LMCH Wolseley, London with suspected diphtheria and was discharged four days later. The Canadian Government was starting to demobilize the CEF and Jack was discharged on January 25, 1919. After the war, he worked as a barber. He married Annie J. Reinhart and they lived in St. Agatha, Ontario. In 1956, he joined The Royal Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, Waterloo Branch 530. He passed away in 1970 and is buried in St. Agatha Roman Catholic Cemetery.
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