173 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND GUNNESS, John Vernon John was born in Starbuck, Manitoba on April 1, 1924. On June 11, 1942 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve at HMCS Prevost London Ontario. After completing his training at HMCS York, St. Hyacinthe Quebec and Stadacona in Halifax, he eventually served onboard HMCS Protector, HMCS Algonquin and HMCS Naden. John was part of the crew onboard HMCS Algonquin that participated in naval Operation Neptune whose objective was to secure lodgement in Europe for the Allies invasion. HMCS Algonquin was the escort ship to the staff of the 3rd Canadian Division crossing the English Channel to the massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy. John experienced the “D” Day invasion first hand. His medals include the 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star with Atlantic Clasp, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp and the War Medal 1939-1945. John was honourably discharged on January 7, 1946 at the rank of Signalman. He was a member of the Legion RE Pooley Branch 167. John passed away on June 12, 1994. HALL, Kenneth Kenneth was born in Northern Ireland on June 18, 1936. He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1949. He enlisted in the Army in 1957 with the 8th Canadian Hussars and served in the Middle East and Gaza Strip as a Peacekeeper. He was discharged in 1960. He was a member of Legion Branch 388 for 42 years. Kenneth passed away on May 31, 2014. HALL, Fred Fred was born in Hall’s Bridge (Buckhorn) Ontario. He enlisted in the Army 1914 in Peterborough, ON to serve in World War I with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. After training in Ottawa, he went by train to Halifax where he was shipped over to Liverpool, England. Fred served in England, France and Belgium. He was with the 2nd Contingent from Canada that fought at Passchendaele, France and was actually present for the Liberation of Mons (Armistice) at 11:00 am on November 11. Fred had written to his brothers, Leslie and Melville, not to join because it was just mud everywhere but while he was on leave in England he met up with his brother Leslie. Fred was assigned to 2 Canadian Division Traffic Control in France where he was responsible to direct troops and artillery to their destinations sometimes under heavy bombing. Fred’s medals include the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and Class A Badge.
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