Military Service Recognition Book

135 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND CLARK, Wendell James Wendell was born on February 19, 1915 and grew up in Ottawa. He enlisted in the Canadian Army at age 21 and posted to A Company at Wellington Barracks in Halifax and then sent to Aldershot Camp in England with the 1st Canadian Division. By April 1940, he was a Company Sergeant Major with the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, Headquarters Defense Platoon and participated in the Battle of France in June. He volunteered for the Canadian Parachute Corps and trained in Britain, Fort Benning, Georgia and Shilo, MB. He achieved the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. On June 6, 1943, the 3rd Brigade, 6th Airborne Division emplaned and parachuted onto the flooded plains of the drop zone varsity. RSM Clark made his way toward the Battalion RV and gunfire. Unfortunately he did not survive combat around the Robehomme bridge. His remains were discovered in a bomb crater in 1946. He is buried in Raineville Military Cemetery. CLARKE, Norman F. “Norm” Norm was born on July 23, 1918 in Brantford, Ontario. He enlisted in the Air force on November 10, 1941 and served with the Airmen’s Pay and Accountants (APA) Gloucester in Canada and in England during World War II. APA Gloucester was an administrative unit of the RCAF which dealt with airmen’s pay and accounts. Norm spent his entire time in the air force there. He was discharged on February 4, 1946. Originally from Brantford, Norm and his family settled in St Marys in 1955. For the next fifteen years he was involved with a GM dealership. A second career began with the establishment of his own real estate firm which he operated for well over 25 years until his retirement in 1988 at the age of eighty. He passed away on June 10, 2000 following a short illness. CLARKE, Gordon Emmerson Gordon was born in Hamilton, Ontario on January 11, 1916. He enlisted in the Army and served in Normandy, Falaise, Scheldt, Rheinland and D-Day during World War II. On the night of 9/10 February 1945, Major Clarke, C Company Stormont Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders, fought his Company with great gallantry, determination and superb leadership, which resulted in the capture of the battalion objectives, Rindern and Donsbruggen (near Nijmegen, Netherlands). The Company was led 3000 yards from the start line over most difficult flooded country through the outer trench system of the Siegfried Line to German Headquarters at Chateau Gnadenthal. Due to flooding and darkness they were entirely unsupported by artillery. His assault carried his Company into the centre of the enemy position where close hand-to-hand fighting of the bitterest nature ensued. Counterattacks by the Germans were successfully beaten off. The success of this operation formed a firm crossing for following troops over the Spoy Canal into Germany. For this action Major Gordon Emmerson Clarke received the Distinguished Service Order at Buckingham Palace from King George VI. HE was a member of Coboconk Legion Branch 519. Gordon passed away on November 13, 1995.

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