35 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND BLANCHARD, Evariste Peter Evariste was born on February 27, 1896, in Grand Anse, New Brunswick. His parents, Pierre T. and Marie Philoméne Blanchard, raised four boys and two girls. He attested at Saint John, New Brunswick on January 5, 1918, after being drafted under the MSA. He listed his occupation as a ‘Day Labourer’ as he joined the 1st Depot New Brunswick Battalion, shipping out to Bramshott, England on March 22. After initial training in England, he embarked to France on August 18 and joined the 25th Battalion at the front. Evariste was wounded in France on October 12, sustaining a gunshot wound and shrapnel injuries to his left leg. After time in a Hospital in France, on October 17, he was evacuated to the UK for recovery. Returning to Canada on January 29, 1919, he was discharged on February 18. He married Olga Godin in 1925, and they raised thirteen children. He resided in Richmond Hill, Ontario from 1980 to 1988. He was a twenty-year member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 in Caraquet, NB. Evariste died on January 28, 1990. BLANCHARD, Murray Joseph Murray was born on October 8, 1916, in Richmond Hill, Ontario, the son of Joseph and Inez (Griffin) Blanchard, seven months after his father died. Prior to enlisting, he was employed as a greenhouse grower for H.J. Mills, and was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. Enlisting the Army (Regular Force) in Ottawa on May 21, 1942, he trained with the Brockville Rifles. He married Helen Marie Booth, before embarking to the United Kingdom where he joined the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. Murray saw service in the UK, Sicily, Italy, and Northwest Europe. Discharged as a private on February 4, 1946, he returned to Richmond Hill and his occupation as a greenhouse grower and volunteer firefighter and where he and Helen raised two sons. He served as Vice-President of The Royal Canadian Legion Richmond Hill Branch 375 and was a member for eighteen years. Murray passed away on July 10, 1964, in Richmond Hill, and is buried in Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery. BLINKHORN, Harry Harry was born on May 2, 1924, in Florence, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He enlisted in July 1940 at the age of sixteen, and proudly served the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular) with the Cape Breton Highlanders until 1945. He fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944, and helped liberate Holland in 1945. After his courageous service, he returned home and found his life’s true love, Betty. The couple, who met in Florence, NS, were married in 1949. They settled in Ontario in 1954 where they build a cherished life together, raising seven children, and contributing to their community. In 2024, Harry and Betty celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Harry was a grandfather to 15, a great-grandfather to 17 and great-great grandfather to 2. Harry died on August 23, 2024, at the age of 100; Betty passed away just two days later. In 2025, Harry was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal posthumously. Harry was a loyal member of The Royal Canadian Legion Waterloo Branch 530, giving 51 years of service. His name has been inscribed on plaque #9 of the Veterans’ Memorial Wall at the Waterloo Legion.
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