169 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND LEBLANC, Jean-Marc Jean-Marc was born on January 30, 1924 in Kapuskasing, Ontario. He enlisted in the Army on April 28, 1943 and served in the CIC Calgary Highlanders in Canada, England, France and Germany. He was wounded and suffered a shrapnel wound to his chest. Recovered, Jean-Marc was discharged on April 27, 1944 and remained in the Army until he was assigned to guard German prisoners for about a year and half. He had picked up enough German to make himself understood in that language. Corporal LeBlanc received the 1939-45 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, the Defence Medal and the George VI Medal. He was a member of Kapuskasing Legion Branch 85 for twenty-five years before he passed away on May 8, 2010. LEE, Orville Ritchie Ritchie was born on May 4, 1920 in Egermont Township, Grey County, Ontario. He enlisted in 1942, did his basic training at Lachine, Quebec and trained in gunnery at Mont Joli, Quebec. In England, he was stationed at Middleton St. George and flew 35 missions in Halifax and Lancaster bombers. He was a tail gunner with 419 Moose Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force and at the end of the war, was an instructor on the gun turrets in Dalton, England. Discharged in 1945, Richie returned to Canada and bought a farm in Normandy Township in Grey County. He married, had three children and retired from dairy farming in 1985. He became involved with the Memory Project and spoke about his experiences at several local schools. Richie was a member of Durham Legion Branch 308 for about thirty years before he passed away on April 25, 2009. LEBLANC, Joseph Gene Gene was born on May 7, 1942 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He enlisted in the Army in 1960 and served as a Paratrooper in Canada and Soest, Germany with the 2 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton. He also served with the 2 RCR in London, Ontario. Gene learned demolition as well as carpentry before being discharged in November 1966 and returning to civilian life where he framed houses, installed windows, doors and roofing. Gene has been a member of Chatham Legion Branch 628 for forty years.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==