77 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND BECKS, James James was born in Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island on November 19, 1919. He enlisted in the Army on March 24, 1941 and served with the Royal Canadian Service Corp in Canada, Italy and Europe during World War II. James was discharged on February 12, 1946. He was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Service Star, France and Germany Star, and the Volunteer Star with Clasp. After the end of the war, James farmed on Manitoulin then to Operations Algoma Ore Division. He was a member of Wawa Legion Branch 429 for 22 years. James passed away on July 10, 1990. BELCHER, William J. “Bill” Bill served in the Militia before joining the regular army. He was born on March 29, 1921 in Toronto, Ontario, son of a WWI veteran. He moved to North Bay when he was quite young and did his high school there. Bill enlisted in North Bay in August 1940 and was taken on strength in the Algonquin Regiment 4th Armoured Division. He left Halifax in June 1943 and saw service in Newfoundland, England, France, Belgium and Holland. It was while Bill was crossing the Leopolo Canal in Belgium that he was wounded and was sent back to England and spent time in hospital on Lady Astor’s estate. Bill returned to Holland in May 1945. Following the end of WWII in Europe, Bill returned to Canada and was discharged in November 1945. He was awarded the Volunteer Star, France and Germany Star, and the Belgium and Holland Star. On his return to North Bay, he worked for the Ontario Northland Railroad. He came to Hawk Junction in 1948 and worked for the Algoma Central Railroad. He helped organize the Hawk Legion in the 50’s and served as Membership Chairman. When the Legion in Hawk turned in their charter, for lack of members, Bill transferred to Branch 429. Bill passed away on March 3, 2006. BÉLANGER, Joseph Ovide Guy “Richard” Richard was born in Ottawa, Ontario on January 6, 1950. In 1964, he joined the Army Cadets, 3rd Sigs, Reg. in Ottawa and was with the Cadets for two years. He then was in the Naval Reserve, HMCS Carleton for three years and then 25 years with the Air Force before rebadging to the RCEME Army. In 1971, he was sent to Baden-Baden, Germany with 3 Mech. Commandos (he was probably the first Private Metal Tech.). In 1974, he joined the 5th EGSOC, Valcartier and spent three months building an air strip for the Eskimos on Baffin Island. In 1975-76, he spent six months in Egypt with 1R22R before returning to Valcartier. From 1977 to 1983, Richard was sent to Germany with 1R22R then base workshop before returning to Lette in 1988. He then served at CFB Petawawa until 1993 when he retired. He was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, United Nations, Peace Keeper and C.D. Richard now works as a Commissionaire at 437 Sqn, Petawawa. He has been a member of Chalk River Legion Branch and Deep River Legion Branch for three years.
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