63 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND BAKER, Vernon Rayne Vernon was born in St. Vincent Township, Meaford, Ontario on August 9, 1933. After high school he served two seasons with the merchant navy, then joined the 3rd Bn. RCR’s Special Force on July 22, 1952 and saw active service in Canada, FE, and Korea during the Korean War. Vernon was discharged on June 21, 1961. On return to Canada and a year later, he was seconded to the Army Benevolent Fund for eight years, and then joined the Department of Veteran’s Affairs as a Counsellor. He worked his way up to Assistant Regional Co-Ordinator, Client Services, Ontario Region and Manager Veterans Allowance District Authority for the Ontario Region. Finally, he helped to develop the Veterans Independent Program before his retirement in 1983. Vernon has been a member of the Meaford Legion Branch 32 for 27 years. BALDWIN, John McLeod “Jack” Captain John “Jack” Baldwin was born on March 16, 1878 in Toronto, Ontario. He volunteered for active service during World War I although he was a family man. He joined the military after being refused several times. He stayed another year in England after the war to help transport German prisoners back to Germany. He saw much service in France, including medical care at the same hospital as John McCrae, author of “In Flanders Fields”, although Jack arrived there five months after John McCrae had departed. Jack passed away on April 7, 1929. BAKER, Willis C. Willis was born in Lomond, Newfoundland on July 21, 1928, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Baker. He enlisted in the Army on August 19, 1950 and served with the 3rd Battalion, PPCLI in Korea. He trained at Fort Lewis, Washington, and the first week in February left for Korea. His company went into action immediately. They were in the thick of battle when Baker was wounded by shrapnel to his hands and arms on March 7 in a grenade throwing skirmish. He was the first Newfoundland war casualty in Korea. Willis was discharged on April 4, 1952. His medals include the United Nations Medal, Korean Combat Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. A native of Bonne Bay, he moved with his parents to Corner Brook and later moved to Toronto where he was employed with the Mack Truck Co. Willis has been a member of Trenton Legion Branch 110 for 20 years.
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