Robert A.

Wilson
(1922-1998)
Robert was born in Vancouver, BC. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy during WWII
and served aboard HMCS Stadacona, Cornwallis, Avalon, and Uganda in the North Atlantic and
United Kingdom mostly carrying out convoy duties. Robert was a long time resident of
Squamish.

Vincent J. Diotte
(1916-2010)
Vincent was born in Hammond, Ontario. He served for 5 years (1940-45) with the Algonquin
Regiment in the Canadian Army. He was trained as a munitions driver. The Regiment was
made part of the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 4th Canadian (armored) Division for
combat duty in Normandy, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. Vincent last assignment
before his discharge was to assist a German Colonel with the task to inform the German Troops
that the war was over Vincent was a long time Squamish resident and Legion member.

Mary MacGregor (nee Roberts)

Mary was born in Chilliwack, BC in 1925. She served 2 years (1944-46) in the WRCNS
(Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service). Mary was stationed at HMCS Cornwallis, Peregrine,
Avalon, and Esquimalt. Mary was assigned to supplies; one of the 39 non-combatant role’s
WRENS provided. Mary met her husband, Lewis (below) at HMCS Avalon. Mary was a long
time resident of Squamish, and a Squamish Legion member.

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 Lewis I. MacGregor
(1920-2003)
Lewis Iver MacGregor was born in Port Arthur, Ontario. At age 2, his family moved to Wood
Fibre, BC. Lewis served 1 year with the RAF (1942) and 3 years (1943-46) with the Royal
Canadian Navy. Chief Petty Officer Lewis MacGregor served on the HMCS Chilliwack, a
corvette destroyer, that provided convey protection for several troopship crossings in the North
Atlantic. His ship shared credit for sinking U-356. Lewis was trained in Deep Sea (Hardhat)
Diving and stationed in St. John’s, Newfoundland for salvaging aircraft and ships.

Joseph C. Downing
(1925 – 1997)
Joseph was born in St. John, New Brunswick. He joined the Army during WW11 as soon as he
was eligible. He served with the North Nova Scotia Regiment. Corporal Joseph C. Downing
was a POW (Prisoner of War) for three years in Germany. He talked little of his war experience.
Joseph; a long time resident of Squamish, was actively involved in Legion Branch 115 and when
it merged with Wood Fibre to form Branch 277..

Doug Fenton
(1921– 2012)
Doug was born in Vancouver, BC. He served 3 years (1942-45) with the Royal Canadian Army.
Doug was trained as an anti aircraft artillery specialist with the 21st Battery and attached to the
Canadian Scottish Regiment. His initial duty was to safeguard the Vancouver area. In the fall of
1943, he was sent overseas for the D-Day invasion that began on June 6, 1944 and advanced into
Germany. When Armistice was signed, Doug was transferred back to Holland to work in the
(Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) REME section. Doug was a long time Squamish
resident and Legion member.

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 Samuel (Bud) Hemphill
(1920 – 2013)
Samuel Hemphill was born in Paisley, Scotland. The family immigrated to Ontario, Canada in
the early 1930’s. Bud served 5 years (1941-46) with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Cpl Bud
Hemphill was assigned to safeguard Canada’s western coastline. He was stationed at Stanley
Point, Yorke Island, and later at Prince Rupert. Bud was a long time Brackendale resident and a
Legion member.

George Friesen
(1925 – 2011)
George was born in Poland. His family immigrated to Canada in 1926. George served 3 years
with the Canadian Army (1943-46) with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. George was among the first
troops to land on the Normandy beaches, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
served throughout the Northwest Europe, including the Battle of the Scheldt, the Rhineland, and
the final battles across the Rhine. Following victory in Europe on May 8, 1945, George was
retained in Germany to work with the German Prisoners of War, due to his fluency in German.
George was a long time Squamish resident and a RCL Br. 277 legion member.

Russell Edward Robertson

Russell was born in Squamish in 1971. Russell enlisted with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in
1990. Russell’s military group provided assistance during the 1997 floods in Winnipeg and the
1998 ice storms in Ontario and Quebec. Russell was deployed to Bosnia in 1994 and again in
1996. During his second Bosnia assignment; he was held hostage for several days by Serbian
forces as a ploy to stop the Americans from bombing Serbian positions. Russell became an
Intelligence Operator in 2000. In 2004 he was deployed to Afghanistan under the NATO lead
International Security Assistance Force. Since 2008, Warrant Officer Russell Robertson has
provided Intelligence Coordination attached to the Joint Task Force North in Yellowknife.
Russell retired in 2019 with over 29 years of service. He now lives in Squamish and is a Br. 277
legion member.

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 Bernard Michael Stilwell
(1922 – 2011)
Bernard Michael Stilwell was born in England, in 1922. He served with the Royal Navy and was
trained to operate a Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM), during WWII. He served in North Africa
taking supplies and equipment from ships that were anchored 2 miles out at sea, onto the beaches
in Algiers, Tunisia, Spain, Crete, Malta, Sicily, and Italy. His ship was torpedoed in the
Mediterranean Sea and rescued by the H.M.S. Honeysuckle. “Mic” served during D-Day +2 and
remained in France until VE-Day. Mick immigrated to Canada shortly thereafter and settled in
Squamish working for many years with the BC Rail. Mick was a long time member of the RCL
Br. 277.

Mary Belle (nee Gray) Gregoire

(1919 – 2011)
Mary Belle (nee Gray) Gregoire was born in Portage La Prairie in 1919. Mary served for three
years (1942-45) with the WRCNS (Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service) performing one of
the 39 “non-combatant” duties assigned to all WRENS. Mary served in Halifax and later in
Esquimalt, BC. Mary and her husband, Ted, moved to BC in 1957 and later to Squamish, BC.

Edward (Ted) J. Gregoire

Edward (Ted) J. Gregoire was born 1918, near Rennes, France. His parents and siblings
immigrated to Canada in 1919. Ted served 5 years (1940-45) with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
Ted was part of the first wave during the D-Day Invasion in 1944. Ted was able to secure a
German position and take 3 Germans as POW only to find himself captured two days later by the
Germans. Ted was a POW until a few days before V-E Day, May 8, 1945. Ted was recently
awarded the French Legion of Honour in gratitude for his part in the successful D-Day invasion
(June 6, 1944) and the Liberation of France. Ted moved to BC and worked for the City of
Vancouver. He recently settled in Squamish. Ted is a long time Legion member.

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 Theodore Joseph Arsenault
Theodore (Ted) Joseph Arsenault was born in Big River, Sk., in 1918. He served four years with
the Canadian Army (1942-46). He was trained in heavy artillery and in heavy duty rifles.
Gunner Theodore Arsenault was part of the initial assault during D-Day and served in France,
Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. Ted was recently awarded the French Legion of Honour in
gratitude for his part in the successful D-Day invasion (June 6, 1944) and the Liberation of
France. Ted is a long time Squamish resident since 1983 and equally so with the RCL Br. 277.

James Clark McGowan Crombie

James was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland in 1923. He served for 5 years (1941-46) in the Royal
Navy; first on the Invertay doing minesweeping and convoy duty in the North Sea, North
Atlantic Ocean and on a decoy mission in the English Channel during the Dieppe Raid in 1942.
Trained as a Gun Layer, he then served on the troopship, Pasteur that sailed unescorted from
Liverpool to Newport; and a wooden minesweeper BYNS36 during the D-Day Invasion, and the
Mediterranean and North Africa Campaigns. He immigrated to Canada in 1952 and is now a
long time resident of Squamish, a Legion member, and active participant with the Black Tusk
Caledonia Pipe Band.

James Crombie
James served with the Royal Navy from 1941-1946. He was stationed in Italy, Yugoslavia, and
America and fought battles in the North Sea, North Atlantic and Mediterranean His photo was
taken in 1943. Jim’s medals include the 1939 - ‘46 Star, France and Germany Medals, Italian
Star, Defense Medal and Victory Medal.

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 Oscar John Runzer
Oscar John Runzer was born in Czernowitz, Romania 1923. “Ollie” served in the Royal
Canadian Navy for 3 years (1942-45). Oscar served on HMCS Prince Robert that escorted
convoys of American forces on the west coast of Canada up to Kodiak and Unalaska. He was
trained with the use of ASDIC, (Sonar) for detecting submarines and transferred to the HMCS
Edmundston to provide convoy protection in the North Atlantic and from Liverpool to Gibraltar.
He later served on the Frigate Stone Town in the North Atlantic. Oscar is a long time Squamish
resident and Legion member.

Herbert Richard Smith

(1923-2015)
Herbert Richard Smith was born in Rose Valley, Sk. Herbert served with the Royal Canadian
Navy for 7 years (1941-48). He served 2 years in the UK in combined operations with the Royal
Navy. He was later assigned to the HMCS Prince Henry and trained to operate an LCA
(Landing Craft Assault). Able Seaman Smith was part of a 4 man crew that took 30 fully
equipped troops at a time ashore on D-Day. The Prince Henry took part in the invasion of
southern France and the liberation of Greece in 1944. The Prince Henry continued to serve in the
Mediterranean Sea for the remainder of WWII. In 2015, Herbert was awarded the French
Legion of Honour in gratitude for his part in the successful D-Day invasion (June 6, 1944) and
the Liberation of France. Herbert was a long time Squamish resident.

William (Bill) Dublack

(1922-2014)
William Dublack was born in Drumheller. He served 3 years as a Royal Canadian Naval
Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) mostly onboard MTB’s 459/486 (Motor Torpedo Boats) of the 29
Canadian MTB Flotilla that operated in the English Channel. Oerlikon Gunner Able Seaman
Dublack received the DSM (Distinguished Service Medal) “for gallantry, skill, determination
and undaunted devotion to duty during the initial landing of the Allied Forces on the Coast of
Normandy” on D-Day. William Dublack was a long time Squamish resident.

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 William Cole
(1932 - 2015)
William Cole was born in Minico, Ontario. Bill enlisted in 1950 with the Princess Patricia’s
Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). He was part of 2nd Battalion that took part in the Korean War
(1950-1953) and fought in the Battle of Kapyong Assuredly, Bill was present for the Battle of
Kapyong when the Chinese attack was relentless, with hand to hand combat with wave after
waves of bayonet charges for four days. Master Warrant Officer Cole remained in the Royal
Canadian Army for 22 years (1972). Bill was awarded several medals. For his last 30 years Bill
made Squamish his home and was a long time Legion member.

Kenneth Llewelyn Jones

(1923-2014)
Ken was born in London, England. He served with the “Home Guard” till he became of age to
enlist with the RAF 206 Squadron. During his war service from July 21, 1941 to January 2,
1946, he was stationed in Durban, S. Africa, Rhodesia, Ireland, the Azores, and Blackpool,
England. Ken was a pilot officer who flew the Tiger Moth, Anson, Harvard, Wellington, and
B17. While stationed in Ireland and the Azores and flying the Wellington and B17; the task was
to maintain antisubmarine patrols day and night. Their presence protected convoys and assisted
in their regrouping after being attacked by U boats, or being broken up by a severe Atlantic
storm. Ken immigrated to Victoria, BC shortly after WW2. Some of his family remain as long
time residents of Squamish.

Nelson Winterburn
Nelson was born in Toronto in 1941. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy and sailed aboard the
HMCS Victoriaville as a stores man with the rank of Able Seaman on sea exercises on the North
Atlantic extending to the Caribbean Islands and Bermuda. Nelson says the best assignment was
sailing from Halifax via the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Great Lakes, and the worst was sailing
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off the coast of Cape Breton at the height of the Cuban missile crisis/Bay of Pigs fiasco,
shadowing a Russian trawler to ensure they were fishing for fish and not classified information.
Nelson remembers the seas being very rough, so the people on board the trawler were not very
comfortable! After his release in 1964, he joined the Royal Canadian Legion and has now been a
member of Branch 277. Nelson also enrolled in correspondence and night school courses to
complete his high school graduation. He then obtained a teaching degree at Simon Fraser
University and a Master’s degree in Education at UBC. Nelson is now retired, after many years
as a school teacher.

John Frederick Schofield

(1889-1956)
John was born in Brockville, Ontario. He enlisted at Montreal, Quebec on October 19, 1914
with the 1st Field Ambulance (CAMC - Canadian Army Medical Core). John served in Canada,
England, France, and the Dardanelles. In France, during the month of February 1915, Pvt. J. F.
Schofield came under fire and was wounded in his back but remained on duty. He was
discharged November 23rd, 1918. John settled in Squamish. He died December 28th, 1956.
John is honoured and remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL
Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

Lennis Samuel Greer

(1911-1956)
Lennis was born in Greer Mount, Quebec. Lennis enlisted with the 48 Highlanders on July 1st,
1940.and was honourably discharged November 15th, 1940. Lennis moved westward across
Canada living in BC for 15 years and just over a year in Squamish. Lennis worked as a linesman
with the BC Electric Company for over 9 years. He died on March 21st, 1956. Lennis is
honoured and remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL
Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

John Thomas Marshall

(1876-1955)
John was born in Cornwall, England. He and his sister immigrated to Canada prior to WWI.
John enlisted with the 72 Battalion CEF at Prince Rupert, BC September 30th, 1915. John was
sent overseas and arrived in England on January 1, 1916. Sapper J. T. Marshall served in France
from March 3rd, 1916 to December 29th, 1918. He was discharged in Vancouver on June 26th,
1919. John continued with his occupation as a miner and settled in the Squamish community.

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John died at the Squamish General Hospital May 19, 1955. John is honoured and remembered
and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion
plots.

William Webster
(1878-1955)
William Webster was born in Old Meldrum, Scotland. He and his family immigrated to
Vancouver, Canada prior to WWI. He was a baker by trade. William enlisted with the 72nd
Battn., CEF Sea Forth Highlanders on September 21st, 1915 in Vancouver. He arrived in England
on May 17th, 1916. He served in France from August 13th, 1916 to just short of his discharge in
July 16th, 1919. William settled in Brackendale following the war. He died February 13th, 1955.
William is honoured and remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the
RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

Arthur Daniel Martin

(1889-1948)
Arthur was born in Montague, PEI. Prior to WWI Arthur moved to Lacombe, Alberta and
laboured as an electrician which developed to be his own business. Arthur served 2 years with
the 101 Edmonton Fusiliers. Arthur enlisted with the 66 Battn. CEF on March 4th, 1916. He was
sent overseas to England and thereafter to France. On October 16th, 1916 Arthur was wounded
in action which caused him to be in the hospital till June of 1917. Regrettably, his injury was a
permanent disability which made him unfit for further service. He was discharged May 28th,
1918. Later, he and his wife, Lucy, moved to the Squamish area where he died on May 4th,
1948. Private Arthur Daniel Martin is honoured and remembered and is buried at the Mt.
Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots. Note: Arthur and
Lucy’s son, George Bernard Martin, is also remembered on the Squamish Roll Call of Honour
and is buried at Breteniere Churchyard, Cote-d’Or; France.

F. O. Magee
(1876-1960)
Frederick was born in Vancouver, BC (Point Grey). Frederick’s occupation was a rancher.
Frederick enlisted with the CFC (Canadian Forestry Corp.) of the Canadian Expedition Force in
Vancouver on September 6th, 1916. He arrived in Liverpool, England on November 30th, 1916
and Le Harve, France on January 2nd, 1917. Frederick served with the CFC in France till a few

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months short of his discharge in Vancouver on March 21st, 1919. Frederick and his wife, Ione
moved from Bowen Island soon thereafter to Squamish to continue working in the forestry.
Frederick died November 1st, 1960. Private Frederick Magee is honoured and remembered and
is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

Leslie “Lee” Osborne Magee

(1918-1999)
Leslie was born in Squamish. Leslie enlisted with the Royal Canadian Army on August 18th,
1944. His theatre of service was in Canada most likely serving in the Pacific Coastal Defenses.
Leslie was discharged on April 13th, 1946. Leslie died January 17th, 1999. Gunner L. O. Magee
Magee, son of Frederick and Ione Magee, is honoured and remembered and is buried at the Mt.
Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

Peter Riembeault
(1872-1955)
Peter was born in Matane, Quebec. He grew up as a farmer and faller logger. Prior to WWI,
Peter resided in Campbell River, BC as a logger, with his son Henry. At the time of his
enlistment, Peter was a widower. Peter enlisted in Vancouver with the 224 Battn. Canadian
Forestry Corp. (CFC) as part of the Canadian Expedition Forces on April 22nd, 1916. Peter
reported he had previously enlisted in 1915 and served on the Russian front and returned 6
months later. Peter arrived in England on May 20th, 1916 and arrived at the France theatre in
June 1917. Peter was medically discharged in Victoria August 30th, 1918. Upon his discharge,
Peter moved and worked in Squamish as a logger. Peter died on January 29th, 1955. Sgt. Peter
Riembeault is honoured and remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of
the RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

Robert Alexander Shaw

(1880-1959)
Robert was born in Armagh, Ireland. Robert was a telegrapher by trade. He enlisted in Calgary
August 12th, 1914 with the PPCLI (Princes Patricia Canadian Light Infantry). Robert was sent
overseas to England and then to the trenches in France. On March 25th, 1915, Robert received an
abrasion of his left eye by a bullet while in the trenches. Later, May 24th, 1915 at Hoogs he
twisted his knee as his left foot caught in a rail while carrying part of a machine gun. From
October 25th until December 27th he spent several days in various hospitals upon which he was
declared fit for base or light duty only. He was diagnosed with defective vision in left eye.
Robert was discharged in Quebec on October 28th, 1919. He and his wife, Gladys May, moved
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to Vancouver and later to Squamish. Robert died March 16th, 1959. Private Robert Alexander
Shaw is honoured and remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the
RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

James Breitenbach
(1898-1959)
James was born in Brisbane, Australia. He and his mother immigrated to Canada and lived in
Vancouver, BC. James was drafted for enlistment in Victoria, BC on May 15th, 1918. He was
assigned to be a driver with the BC Regiment of the Canadian Expedition Forces. Due to
demobilization, James was discharged in Quebec of October 19th, 1919. James later resided in
Squamish till his death January 18th, 1959. Driver James Breitenbach is honoured and
remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br.
277 legion plots.

Peter Weir
(1877-1957)
Peter was born in Milngavie, Scotland.. Prior to WWI he immigrated to Canada and resided near
Valcartier, Quebec where he enlisted on September 22nd, 1914 with the 48th Highlanders, CEF.
Peter is reported to have served in military for 18 months in South Africa, and as a volunteer for
6 years. His unit sailed for England in early October, 1914. He arrived in France March 24th,
1915. Peter was wounded in his right foot on June 3rd, 1916. Overall, Peter served overseas in
France for 15 months; with a short period of time prior to and after in England. Peter was
discharged in Toronto on September 3rd, 1919. He settled in Vancouver and later in Squamish,
BC. Peter died October 25th, 1957. Private Peter Weir is honoured and remembered and is
buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

Willet Francis Evans

(1898-1057)
Willet was born in Chilliwack. He grew up as a farmer. He enlisted with the 68th Battery
Canadian Field Artillery CEF as a Gunner on April 16th, 1918 in Vancouver. He served in
Canada, England and France Theatres of war for just over 11 months. Willet was discharged
March 28th, 1919 in Vancouver. Following the war Willet moved and settled in Squamish.
Willet died October 24th, 1957 (age 59). Gunner Willet Francis Evans is honoured and
remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br.
277 legion plots.

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 Harold Francis Hayes
(1907-1967)
Harold was born in New Haven, Burnaby. Harold enlisted with the Royal Regiment of Canadian
Artillery on March 16th, 1943. Gunner H. F. Hayes was trained as a gunner and remained in
Canada. He was discharged July 10th, 1945. Harold spent his last two years in Squamish living
at the Mamquam Trailer Court and working as a general labourer with the Empire Logging
Canada Ltd. Harold died March 30th, 1967 (59 yrs.). Gunner Harold Francis Hayes is honoured
and remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head
Br. 277 legion plots.

Robert William Gage

(1912-1969)
Robert was born in Montreal. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps on
April 9th, 1940. Robert embarked for overseas on December 16th, 1940. Corporal R. W. Gage
was discharged on October 25th, 1945. Robert arrived in Squamish as an unemployed laborer 5
weeks before he died on July 8th, 1969 (57 yrs.). Robert William Gage is honoured and
remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br.
277 legion plots.

Isidoro David Boscariol

(1888-1970)
Isidoro was born in Volvisone, Italy. Isidoro grew up as a farmer; immigrated to Canada in
1905, and settled near Fernie, BC. He enlisted in Fernie on November 11th, 1917 with the Battn.
Sask., Regiment. As part of the demobilization, Corporal I. D. Boscariol was discharged in
Vancouver on February 10th, 1919. Isidoro moved to Squamish as a farmer in 1943. He enjoyed
his retirement as a farmer till his death on August 7th, 1970. Corporal Isidoro David Boscariol is
honoured and remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL
Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

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 James Daniel McDonald
(1895-1970)
James was born in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian
Regiment of the Canadian Expedition Forces on November 3rd, 1915 at Sydney, NS. Sergeant J.
D. McDonald served overseas in France from June 6, 1916 till his discharge on March 17th, 1919
in Halifax. James moved to Britannia Beach, BC about the year of 1957. James was a wire-
drawer by trade. He remained single. He died December 28th, 1970 (75 yrs.). Sergeant James
Daniel McDonald is honoured and remembered and is buried at the Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in
one of the RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

Colin Matthew Orum

(1912-1974)
Colin was born in Burgesville, Ontaro . He served in WW2 with the RCASC (Royal Canadian
Army Service Corps). Following the war, Colin settled in Brackendale, BC living at the
Evergreen Trailer Court and worked as a welder with the Weldwood of Canada Ltd. Colin died
April 1st, 1974 (61 yrs). Private Colin M. Orum is honoured and remembered and is buried at the
Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

Bradley Harris
(1917-1977)
Bradley was born in Kindersley, Sask.. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Artillery June 25th,
1940 and embarked for overseas June 14th, 1942. Gunner B. Harris served in the Canada, UK,
Continental Europe and Central Mediterranean theatres. He was discharge November 06, 1945.
Bradley married Mary Charlotte (nee Banks). He was a long time resident of Squamish working
as a Millwright with Rayonier of Canada Ltd. Bradley died July 27th, 1977 at Shaughnessy
Hospital in Vancouver. Gunner Bradley Harris is honoured and remembered and is buried at the
Mt. Garibaldi Cemetery in one of the RCL Diamond Head Br. 277 legion plots.

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