211 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND JANTZI, Earl Earl was born on June 10, 1910, in New Hamburg, Ontario, to Jonas and Mattie (Swartzentruber) Jantzi along with four siblings, Martha, Leslie, Jonas Jr. and Grace. Prior to World War II, Earl was employed in new and used car sales. He enlisted in the Army (Regular Force) in London on September 22, 1939, with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, 1st Canadian. Earl was very fluent in speaking and writing the German language. After the usual training, his unit was sent to England where more training was given. He was one of 53 military personnel who were being shipped from England to Italy for Operation Husky by way of three ships. As they were travelling through the Mediterranean Sea near Algeria, the three ships were torpedoed by German U-boats and all lives were lost on July 5, 1943. Earl is buried in the Cassino Memorial in Italy. Signalman Earl Jantzi is commemorated on page 174 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. JANTZI, Jonas B. Jonas was born on December 31, 1917, in New Hamburg, Ontario to Jonas and Magdalena (Schwarzetruber) along with five siblings: Martha, Leslie, Earl and Grace (Nauman) Jantzi. His brother, Earl, lost his life in World War II. Jonas went to school in New Hamburg when the call for arms went out and he enlisted in the Army (Regular Force) on October 4, 1939, with the Canadian Perth Regiment in Stratford. He went overseas with the Scots Fusiliers and served in England and in Continental Europe until being discharged in 1942 with the rank of Sergeant. He married Ida Jane (Drown) and they raised four children: Sandy, Jim, Pat and Brent. He joined The Royal Canadian Legion Kitchener Branch 50 in 1947. When New Hamburg received their Charter in 1952, he transferred to New Hamburg Branch 532. Jonas was employed at Jamesway working as a purchasing agent. His spare time was spent in his garden or reading. Jonas passed away on July 18, 1994, and is laid to rest in the 1st Mennonite Cemetery in Kitchener. JOHNS, Elmer George Elmer was born on August 12, 1896, in Burks Falls, Ontario. He enlisted in the Army (Regular Force) on November 24, 1916, at the age of twenty. He was a part of the 42nd Regiment and 240th Overseas Battalion Infantry Division. After training, Elmer was sent to England and France where he was part of the Canadian Forestry Warehouse. They were skilled lumbermen who built Duck Boards, a pallet used on the ground in the trenches. After his release on May 31, 1919, Elmer returned to Windsor and married Annie Addison and raised two sons and a daughter. He was extremely proud of his two sons, Tom and Stu, who enlisted in World War II and returned home safely. Elmer passed away on January 16, 1968.
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