49 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND BIRCH, George William George was born in Point Anne, Ontario on October 28, 1925. He enlisted in the Navy on March 29, 1944. He served during World War II in Canada. George was discharged on September 5, 1945. After he left the Navy, George worked for a few years as an embalmer and funeral director in Bellville and Peterborough, then as a boat builder and Sales Manager for the Peterborough Canoe Company. In 1955 he moved to Fredericton, NB to become the General Manager and eventually part owner of the Chestnut Canoe Company for over twenty years. From there, George began selling residential and commercial real estate and owner of his own Real Estate Company. He was the husband of Jean (McDonald) and father of four children. George passed away on November 13, 2012. BIRCH, Mary Noreen Noreen was born in Point Anne, Ontario on September 23, 1923. Noreen joined the service during World War II at eighteen years of age in Kingston, ON in 1941. She worked in many places throughout Ontario-one of her assigned duties was cooking – cooking was not her strong point at this time. Apparently the first chicken she prepared had not been cleaned – she did take some ribbing over this incident. She was discharged in 1943. After the military, she married Merril Myers in Lakefield, ON and raised four children: Mary, Lance, Cherrill and Wendy. Noreen became a wonderful cook. She was a member of the Legion Branch 77 in Lakefield. Noreen passed away on September 23, 2005. BIRCH, John Phillip “Jack” Jack was born on December 4, 1921 in Birkenhead, England. He enlisted on June 16, 1941 at twenty and was assigned to the RCA. He spent most of his service on the front lines in Italy and N/E. He was awarded the 1939-1945 War Medal, the 1939 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. He was discharged on December 6, 1945. After the war, he worked for GE and Westclox in Peterborough then to Fredericton with Brother George at Chestnut Canoe. Jack retired in 1981 and he and Loretta travelled extensively with their trailer. He enjoyed gardening and angling and he and Loretta stayed active in the Legion Branch 77, Lakefield, Ontario. Jack passed away on May 20, 1996.
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