235 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND McCLELLAND, Betty Jean Betty was born in Toronto, Ontario on May 7, 1920. In 1942, at the age of 21, Betty went to London and joined the Army (Regular Force) with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. Her basic training was at Wolseley Barracks in London. After basic training, Betty worked as an Enlistment Secretary. After a short time, Betty and nine other ladies were transferred to Windsor, Ontario to take over for the men at St. Lukes Barracks as Enlistment Secretaries. In March 1943, Betty was released and went to work for the Ford Motor Company for the next ten years. She got married and raised two children. After leaving Ford, Betty went to work at IODE Hospital for the next 21 years as a Medical Secretary. She passed away in 1999. McCRACKEN, Lyle Gardener Lyle was born in Brussels, Ontario on July 19, 1897. He was a painter by trade and enlisted in the Army (Regular Force) in Brussels in the 161st Huron Battalion C.E.F. on January 6, 1916. He did his basic training and was overseas in early 1917. One of his first battles was at Vimy Ridge. He was part of a gun section, the Canadian Machine Gun Corps, 2nd Battalion and suffered from wounds to his left arm. He returned to duty. His fellow soldiers called him “Dick” and were very proud of him. He was an exceptional, dedicated soldier who was always prepared and ready to do his duty. He was admired by his fellow men and his death saddened his unit. Private McCracken died on August 31, 1918, from a piece of shrapnel piercing his helmet from a nearby shell burst. He is remembered with honour at Mount Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport. McCOUBREY, Alexander Frank Alexander was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan on March 5, 1919. Prior to signing up, Alexander was employed with the Canada Dredge and Dock Construction Company in Toronto. He enlisted in the Army (Regular Force) on October 9, 1942. He spent 39 months in the Royal Canadian Engineers, 12 months in Canada and 27 months in the United Kingdom and Northwest Europe. He was commissioned as a Lt. RCE at OTC, Brockville and Petawawa after nine months of training. Alexander served for fifteen months as an instructor and thirteen months on Engineer Recce work in action in Northwest Europe. After his discharge on January 18, 1946, Alexander completed his Civil Engineering degree at the University of Toronto and was employed with the CNR, where he stayed until his retirement 35 years later. He received the 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. Alexander passed away on May 5, 1991.
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