Military Service Recognition Book

53 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND BATEMAN, James Richard James was born in Timmins, Ontario on February 11, 1920. In May 1937 he joined the Algonquin Regiment NPAM. On June 22, 1940 in Timmins he joined the Grey and Simcoe Foresters CASF as Lance Corporal. In August 1940 he was stationed in Camp Borden, Platoon No. 13. In October 1940 he married Gilberte Migneault (Betty) and they had one daughter Beverley. He then was stationed at Debert, NS and found out that the Air Force wanted volunteers. So on November 12, 1941, he was honourably discharged as Private. The next day re-enlisted RCAF in Halifax, NS. In November 1942 he received his “O” wing from Air Observer School. In February 1943 he was stationed in Whitley Bay and in March he graduated Air Bombing School. In October he was loaned to the Royal Air Force, Grimsby Aerodrome. Pilot Flight Sergeant A.J. Kevis’ last message before collision was that three engines, needed emergency air and he was given permission to land. On November 17, 1943 at 0040 hours, Lancaster III, JB 674, Unit 100 Squadron, collided with JB 678 at 700 feet, south of Grimsby Aerodrome. All were killed except Clarence Wallace a Canadian from Saskatchewan, the records state he was part of 674 crew. James is buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. BEAN, Roy Ira “Beanie” Roy was born in Listowel, Ontario on November 2, 1922. He enlisted in the Army at nineteen in London, Ontario on February 10, 1942. Roy was with the RCR Unit Canadian Fusiliers 100th Field Battery. On September 2, 1942 he was deployed to active duty to Sicily-Italy, Germany and Holland until his honourable discharge as Private on October 29, 1945. He was a stretcher bearer. One of the few experiences Roy shared; there were negotiations with the Germans for a prisoner exchange. He volunteered to cross over into German territory – to bring the Canadian Solider back to safety. Roy received the 1939-1945 Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, the Oak Leaf and was Mentioned in Dispatches, dated October 15, 1946. Through Veteran Affairs, Roy, with 28 other Veterans, returned to Italy on November 21-30, 2014 to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the Italian Campaign. He was an active Life Member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 259 in Listowel, Ontario. He was well known and respected for his love, skill and comradeship playing horse shoes. Branch 259 erected a memorial in their horseshoe grounds in honour and memory of Roy. He passed away peacefully at 95 on March 27, 2018. BATSTONE, Jack J. Jack was born in Port Rexton, Newfoundland on December 17, 1922. He enlisted in the Merchant Navy in 1939 and served as Merchant Seaman in Atlantic Convoys mostly on tankers, Ungava, Grafton Park, Argomont, Fort Townsend, Belle Isle, Algonquin Park and Bloomfield. He served during World War II and was discharged in 1945. He received the 1939-1945 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Italy Star, the Newfoundland Volunteer Service Medal and the War Medal 1939-1945. He was a Life Member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch MiltonWesley 426 Newmarket. Jack passed away on July 15, 2014.

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