William Parfitt. Réal Dumoulin. Thomas Edward Neil. Arnold Ernest Gehrke. Anthony Hardy. Harold Mclean. Morris Jackson.
Those are the names of the seven local WWII veterans who were awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals Thursday afternoon.
MPP Vic Fedeli handed out the medals with posthumous honours for Ralph Diegel, George Renton, Howard Gransden and William Jack Stride.
“Our commitment to Canada is strengthened when we collectively honour those who distinguish themselves by virtue of their talents and service to our country,” says Fedeli. “We are proud to recognize today’s recipients who have been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Their dedication has helped shape our country and enriched the lives of Canadians. This medal is a testament to their impact and commitment.”
The ceremony was held at the Grande Event Centre.
2. Réal Dumoulin served in the Canadian Forces Navy on the HMCS Iroquois as a gunner, then joined the Airforce
3. Thomas Edward Neil served in the Canadian Forces as a stenographer in the Chippewa barracks.
4. Arnold Ernest Gehrke served in the Canadian Forces-Army Light Infantry and the Queen’s Own Rifles Wentworth Regiment in England, France, Belgium, and Holland.
5. Anthony Hardy served as a Navy Wireless Operator on the HMCS Ontario in the North Atlantic and Pacific areas.
6. Harold Mclean served in the Canadian Forces army, in England and Holland.
7. Morris Jackson served in the Canadian Navy as a Radio Operator in Newfoundland, which was still a British Colony at the time.
8. Ralph Diegel (posthumously) served in the Canadian Navy from 1943 to 1945. He was a reservist who trained every summer in addition to training Navy Cadets.
9. George Renton (posthumously) served in the Canadian Forces RCAF in Canada and England from 1940 to 1946
10. Howard Gransden (posthumously) served in the Royal Canadian Armed Forces Algonquin Regimen in England.
11. William Jack Stride (posthumously) served the Canadian Armed forces
