343 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND MacRAE, Thomas William Thomas was born in Cartwright, Manitoba on August 25, 1922. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals on February 11, 1943. He served in Canada, United Kingdom and Continental Europe and was discharged on July 9, 1946. He was a linotype operator before he enlisted and returned to the same position after he was discharged. His employers over the years included Guardian Newspapers in Prince Edward Island and Winnipeg, Edmonton’s Bulletin, Brampton’s Conservator, Toronto’s Hess Printing, and The University Press. Thomas has been a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Richmond Hill Branch 375 for 47 years, serving on the executive for at least twenty years and as President for his final three years. He ran the Branch Bingo for many years and was once robbed at gunpoint after leaving the building. He was an avid cribbage player completing in many Legion tournaments all over Ontario. He enjoyed bid euchre games and participating with his wife Ethel for many years as an award winning five pin bowler. Thomas is still active and tries to attend Legion events, where he is warmly welcomed as one of the few remaining World War II Veterans. MAGILL, Jay Pearson “Pete” Pearson Magill, known to all as Pete, was born in Erin, Ontario, on August 28, 1920. He enlisted in the RCNVR in September 1940. Pete was a member of the crew on the HMCS Saguenay when it was torpedoed on December 1, 1940 with the loss of 21 sailors. Stationed at the barracks in Portsmouth, England, he survived the bombings of April 1941. Back on the seas the Saguenay was rammed by the Panamanian freighter Azra off Cape Race, Newfoundland on November 15, 1942. The impact of the collision set off the Saguenay’s depth charges which blew off her stern. Petty Officer Pearson Magill held the trade qualifications of Leading Cook and following his discharge in September 1945, he decided to put his skills to use in civilian life. Pete opened a small restaurant and operated the BA gas station in Erin. He was a charter member of the newly formed Branch 442 of The Royal Canadian Legion in Erin. Jay Pearson Magill died at an early age on October 16, 1968 and is buried in the Erin Union Cemetery. MAGILL, Bonar Paul Bonar Magill was born on December 3, 1922 in Erin, Ontario where he grew up. At the age of twenty, he enlisted in the army and was posted to the west coast. In August 1943, with the Canadian Fusiliers, he took part in the joint CanadianAmerican operation in retaking the Aleutian island of Kiska. As part of the 13th Infantry Brigade, he remained as part of the occupational force living in a winterized tent, manning the defences and was engaged in reconstruction and other duties. In May 1944, Bonar returned to Ontario on leave and shortly was posted for training in England. By October he was with the Essex Scottish in Belgium where he was wounded in action. In late November, he was listed as missing in action and believed to be a Prisoner of War. Bonar was imprisoned in Stalag XI-B in Germany and suffered from the lack of food and proper medical attention. With the retreat of the Germans, Bonar was freed in April 1945 and shortly thereafter was safely in England, being discharged on August 2, 1945. Returning to civilian life, Bonar was employed by the Erin Shoe Company and married the owner’s daughter. Bonar passed away on October 18, 1995.
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