Military Service Recognition Book

37 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND BANKS, William Earnest William was born in Toronto, Ontario on February 13, 1924. He joined the Canadian Army in 1942 at the age of eighteen. Following basic training he was shipped out to Aldershot Barracks, England for further training before entering battle in Europe. He fought in France, Holland and the Netherlands where he was wounded. Following his recovery he rejoined his regiment and fought until the end of the war. He remained in Germany post 1945 as part of the army of occupation until his return to Canada. From 1957 to 1959, he was posted to Hemer, Germany as part of Canada’s commitment to NATO. From 1961 to 1962, he was posted to Gaza Strip as part of the United Nations Emergency Force. From 1964 to 1967, Master Warrant Officer Banks was posted to Soest, Germany as part of the NATO force. In 1967, he was posted to Base Downsview, returning to civilian life in 1969. Master Warrant Officer Banks passed away in 2010 at the age of 85. William received the 1939-1945 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, the 1939-1945 War Medal, the United Nations Emergency Force Medal, the Canadian Centennial Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration with Clasp. BARBER, Ivan H. Ivan was born on June 15, 1925 in Arran Township. He enlisted in the Army on January 27, 1944 with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. Ivan received his training at Ipperwash, Ontario. Before enlisting Ivan was employed with Beatty Die Casters at Galt, Ontario. He was a Private when he was wounded in action on August 29, 1944. He was discharged on August 30, 1946 and served in France and Germany during World War II. He married Pearl Thompson on April 8, 1949, while working in Oshawa in the construction field and had two children. He also worked for Master Feeds for thirty years. Ivan passed away on December 11, 1990 and is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Tara. BANNAN, John Edgerton John was born in Omemee, Ontario on September 3, 1923 John enlisted in the Army August 6, 1940 and assigned to the First Midland Regiment, 8th Brigade. In 1941, John volunteered to go overseas to England as a reinforcement for the 3rd Division SDGs. He was then recruited into the Royal Canadian Core of Signals as a Signalman. Intense training followed to interpret Morse code and he was subsequently transferred to an ordinance camp taking orders for supplies including tanks, trucks and motorcycles. John served during the war in the British Isles and Continental Europe in 1944 to 1945. He was honourably discharged on October 1, 1945. He received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, the War Medal 19391945, the France and Germany Star and the British War Medal. John served with the OPP from 1952 to 1981. He is a Life Member of Legion Branch 77 Lakefield, Ontario, and a recipient of the Legion Meritorious Service Medal in 2008. John married Irene Manning in England in 1944 and remains married after 73 years.

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