341 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND OATMAN, Wilfred B. Wilfred was born in Tillsonburg, Ontario on October 25, 1897. On October 28, 1915, three days after his birthday, while still a student in school, he enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 71st Infantry Battalion to serve in World War I. Wilfred was serving with the 44th Battalion and had previously been in hospital for five weeks when he returned to his unit and was killed by shrapnel one week later on November 12, 1916 near Albert, France. O’NEILL, John Bernard John was born in Smiths Falls, Ontario on December 4, 1921 to Howard and Mary O’Neil. He enlisted on July 31, 1941 during World War II and served as an Aero Engine Mechanic for the Air Force, working on Typhoons and Hurricanes with the 111 Fighter Squadron. John was discharged on January 16, 1950 and was awarded the 1939-1945 Star - Airfield, 2nd 1AF Overseas, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal. John married Elsie Bell Conlin in 1947 and they had two daughters, Gail and Karen. John was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95 in Smiths Falls for 55 years. He passed away on April 10, 2014. OLIVER, John John was born in Hawick, Scotland on October 15, 1914. He eventually moved to Canada. He enlisted in the Army during World War II in September 1940 with the Irish Regiment of Canada and obtained the rank of Sergeant. He trained at Camp Borden. Following training and getting married, he went overseas on the Queen Elizabeth on June 4, 1942. John was captured by a German soldier and was shipped with other POWs in cattle cars over the Alps into Germany on September 28, 1944, where he was kept for eight months. Having contracted diphtheria, he spent Christmas in a German field office. Liberated in May 1945 by General Patton’s Army the POWs were flown to England. On July 12, 1945, Sergeant Oliver was sent home and honourably discharged on July 31, 1945. John’s theatre of service was Great Britain and the Mediterranean. His medals and decorations consisted of the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, Defence Medal, General Service Italy, 1939-1945 Star and Clasp. John was the elected Charter President of Mount Albert Legion Branch 382 after being sworn in. He was the Sergeant-at-Arms for many years, President, Treasurer and Parade Marshall. John passed away on February 2, 2004 after being a member for sixty years.
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