It's a pity they didn't get his name right... They say his name was Ronald. His nickname was Ron or Ronnie but his real name was ROLAND Stephen Edward Waterman.
How many Second World War veterans are still alive in Canada? According to Veterans Affairs Canada, as of early 2014, 88,400 Canadian veteransof WWII were still alive, although most are over the age of 90. The Calgary Sun reported that figure at 91,400 a year earlier, in March 2013. In fact, reports suggest that at least 50 die every day.
View attachment 191794 Lance, Here are some recent stats on membership in our Association. The list from Wikipedia is of "notable veterans"
Here's a list of the WWII Veterans in our Association: Arsenault, Edmond Etobicoke, ON WWII Campbell, Garfield W. Bridgewater, NS WWII Cuvelier, Hugh T. Mahone Bay, NS WWII Doucette, Ernest Tusket, NS WWII Dukeshire, Victor Burlington, ON WWII Eisenhauer, Harry Calgary, AB WWII Former CO Fraser, Robert G. Bedford, NS WWII Gallant, Fred Summerside, PE WWII Keddy, Kenneth M. Kingston, NS WWII FSSF Pothier, Emery J. Middleton, NS WWII Strickland, Douglas North Sydney, NS WWII Sullivan, Hubert Wolfville, NS WWII
Lance, I want you to know that we care, and we're keeping track. WNSR deaths in the last five years: 2012 Wilbert M Hiltz -- WWII veteran – Died Jan 2012 Charles Robert O’Neill -- WWII veteran – Died Jan 2012 Truman Gabriel Croft -- Died Jan 2012 Corporal Frank McLaughlin -- WWII veteran – died Jan 2012 Jack Clement Holley -- Died Mar 2012 Ronald H Feindel -- WWII veteran – -- Died Mar 2012 Captain Frank Allen Harvie -- Died Mar 2012 Sergeant George Bryce Lincoln -- WWII veteran – Died Apr 2012 Clarence R Dorey -- WWII veteran – Died May 2012 Honorary Colonel the Honourable JJ Kinley, ONS, CD -- WWII veteran, NS LtGov 1994-2000, HCol 2002-05 – Died May 2012 Chief Warrant Officer FJ "Dick" Moore, CD –RSM 1976-80 – Died May 2012 Robert L Turple -- WWII veteran – Died May 2012 Clifford A Boyles -- WWII veteran – Died Jun 2012 Corporal Roswell Percy Crowell -- WWII veteran – Died Jul 2012 James Clarence Arthur -- Died Jul 2012 Harold Frederick Wolfe -- WWII veteran – Died Jul 2012 Thomas W Laughlin -- WWII veteran – Died Sep 2012 Garfield H Minnick -- WWII veteran – Died Oct 2012 Delmer F Muise -- WWII veteran – Died Oct 2012 Ernest Selig -- WWII veteran – Died Oct 2012 Staff Sergeant Gerald L Crouse -- WWII veteran – Died Nov 2012 Sergeant Gordon E Holden -- WWII veteran – Died Nov 2012 Randall M Myrick -- WWII veteran – Died Nov 2012 Lieutenant Edward MS Fisher -- WWII veteran – Died Dec 2012 Frank Herbert Phillips -- WWII veteran – Died Dec 2012 2013 Collie Basker -- WWII veteran – Died Jan 2013 Eric Veinot -- Died Jan 2013 Andrew Nelson Eisner – Died Mar 2013 Charles D “Dick” Vidito -- Died Mar 2013 Cecil J Heisler -- WWII veteran – Died Feb 2013 Ronald MacDonald -- WWII veteran – Died Feb 2013 Charles A Crosby -- WWII veteran –Died Mar 2013 Noel Ritson Durling -- WWII veteran – Died Mar 2013 Corporal Maurice Percy Grant -- WWII veteran – Died Mar 2013 William Edmund Dexter -- WWII veteran – Died Apr 2013 Sergeant Arthur Joseph Doucette -- WWII veteran – Died Apr 2013 W Earl MacLeod -- WWII veteran – Died Apr 2013 Archie D MacEachern -- WWII veteran – Died May 2013 Major Conrad “Connie” MacNeil – WWII veteran – RQ - Died May 2013 Ronald Nauss - WWII veteran – Died May 2013 Corporal Thomas W Cleveland -- WWII veteran – Died Jun 2013 A Harold Ernst -- WWII veteran – Died Jun 2013 Ronald E Mailman -- Died Oct 2013 Struan George Wadden -- WWII veteran – Died Oct 2013 – age 101 Major RG Bill Thexton, CD -- WWII veteran – Died Nov 2013 Morton Patrick “Dunkirk” Beazley -- WWII veteran – Died Nov 2013 Chief Warrant Officer George Doucette -- WWII and Korean War veteran – Died Dec 2013 Bruce Oxner -- WWII veteran – Died Dec 2013 Major James R Wilcox -- WWII veteran – Died Dec 2013 2014 Maurice L Lightfoot -- WWII veteran – Died Feb 2014 Sergeant W Barry J Pitcairn, CD -- RSS – Died Feb 2014 John R Barlow -- Korean War veteran – Died Mar 2014 Robert R Bailey -- Died May 2014 Warrant Officer Ernie L McMurrer, MMM, CD -- RQMS – Died May 2014 Lieutenant Colonel Daniel R Bobbitt CD -- Afghanistan veteran, WNSR Officer 1988-90, and CO 2 RCHA – Died May 2014 Master Warrant Officer Murray C Myles, CD -- RSS Chief Clerk – Died May 2014 Pearlie E Whynott -- WWII veteran – Died May 2014 Thomas J Keefe -- WWII veteran – Died Jul 2014 Captain Dianne Thompson-Sheppard, QC -- Died Jul 2014 Robert F Bond -- WWII veteran – Died Aug 2014 Frederick M Todd -- Died Aug 2014 Alexander Malcolm Stevens -- WWII veteran – Died Sep 2014 Lieutenant Colonel Daniel L Harlow, CD -- CO 1962-65 and Korean War veteran – Died Oct 2014 Sergeant Malcolm L Dodge -- Died Nov 2014 Frank Bernard Sanford -- WWII veteran – Died Nov 2014 2015 Donald Kitchener Sisk -- WWII veteran – Died Jan 2015 Warrant Officer 1st Class / CWO Joseph H Tidd, CD -- RSM 1965-72 – Died Jan 2015 Warrant Officer Stan Whynott, CD -- RSS – Died Jan 2015 Murray Huntley -- WWII veteran - Died Feb 2015 Garnet Raymond Burns -- WWII veteran – Died Mar 2015 Frank Hartlen -- WWII veteran WNSR and 1st SSF – Died Mar 2015 Robert R Sears -- WWII veteran – Died Apr 2015 Robert H Huntley -- WWII veteran – Died May 2015 Major EL “Tony” Larkin, CD – Korean War veteran – Died Jun 2015 Sergeant Albert Arthur Smith -- WWII veteran - Died Jun 2015 Sergeant Kenneth Keith Wilson, CD-- Died Jun 2015 Lloyd Naugler -- WWII veteran – Died Jul 2015 Duncan Malcolm Ferguson -- WWII veteran – Died Aug 2015 Stewart N MacMillan -- WWII veteran - Died Aug 2015 Marshall M. Fleet – WWII veteran – Died Sep 2015 Sergeant John A Rafuse -- WWII veteran – Died Nov 2015 Lieutenant Connie (Smith) Durcsak, CD – Died Nov 2015 George Mosher -- WWII veteran – Died Dec 2015 Carl Floyd Williams -- WWII veteran – Died Dec 2015 2016 Major Fred J MacEachern, CD -- President WNSRRA 2006-07 and WWII veteran – Died Jan 2016 Edison Raymond Corkum – WWII veteran – Died Feb 2016 Russell Wayne McIsaac – Died Feb 2016 Joseph Ernest Fougere -- WWII veteran - Died Apr 2016 Franklin Albert Hawkins -- WWII veteran - Died Apr 2016 Lieutenant Colonel John C Himmelman, CD -- CO 1990-94 – Died Apr 2016 Glenn A Joudrey – WWII veteran – Died May 2016 Alcide Jean-Baptiste d’Eon -- WWII veteran – Died Jun 2016 Captain HA David Morrison, CD -- RCACC 2444 – Died Jun 2016 MCpl Harold McBurney, CD -- Died Jun 2016 Osborne Allen Brewster -- WWII veteran - Died Jul 2016 Russell Clinton Langille – WWII veteran – Died Oct 2016 William Clyde Rooney – WWII veteran – Died Oct 2016 Major Peter Howard Taylor – Korean War veteran – Died Oct 2016 Everett Hartley Connell – WWII veteran – Died Nov 2016
Colonel Waterman and his officers at Ortona Front row, l to r, Majors Art Russell and John Cameron, the CO, Major Don Archibald, Captain Hugh Burns. Second row, Captains Vic Inman (Paymaster), Scotty Allan, Al MacMillan, Bob Campbell (I.O.), Art Dyer (Adjutant), Bill Thexton, Cecil Whynacht (Quartermaster), Laurie Cameron (Dentist), and Padre Brundage. Third row, Lieuts Reid, Kirk, Moore, Holloway, Hebb, Ingraham, MacLeod, Campbell, and MacNeil -January 1944.
Lt.-Col RSE Waterman DSO commanded the West Novas for about 10 months during the Italian Campaign. He led the Regiment through some of its toughest battles in Italy.
Stonier. If you would'nt mind posting those parts of Maj Bill Thexton's "Times to Remember: Recollections of four and a half years with the West Nova Scotia Regiment during 1940-1944" that deal with 23 May 44 and the 3 Inf Bde attack on the Hitler Line that would be fantastic. I have researched the attack at length so any extra info would be useful. Regards Frank
Frank, Below is the section from Bill's book in which you expessed an interest. I've copied it here for you. The book is 212 pages with about 60 photos; it tells of Bill's experiences with those he met during the war. We, the Regimental Association, found his recollections valuable and asked the family for permission to publish. We just printed 300 copies and would like to sell them at WNSR RA Item | The West Nova Scotia Regiment Regards, Ron This is taken from pp. 133-136 Breaking the Gustav and Hitler Lines The main task of breaking through the enemy positions, which were in great strength on the floor of the valley, was given to 13th British Corps on the right and 1st Canadian Corps in the centre and left. This was the first time in this war that a Canadian Corps was engaged in an offensive operation. On our right the Polish Corps had been given the task of taking Monte Cassino. On our left General Join’s French Expeditionary Corps was to advance across the western mountains, led by its fierce Moroccan colonial troops, the Goums, and surprise the enemy on their right flank. As stated before, US 5th Army would advance up the west coastal plain, and eventually join up with their forces at Anzio. The task of breaking the Gustav Line fell mainly on the 13th British Corps, through which 1st Canadian Division passed as they fought their way up the valley. After much hard fighting, 1st Canadian Division broke through the Hitler Line on May 25, led by the West Nova Scotia Regiment. It was probably their finest hour. Once the Hitler Line was breached, 5th Canadian Armoured Division moved through 1st Canadian Division in pursuit of the enemy. Life at “A “ Echelon Very little information on the course of the battle reached us at “A” Echelon. Harry MacLean, with his macabre sense of humour, kept us in suspense with dire news of disasters at the front. As it happened, he was one of the first to be called forward when Art Russell was hit on May 19th. Meanwhile Major Al Rogers, who returned to duty about this time, had taken over “B” Company when Scotty Allen was wounded on May 17th. On May 23rd Harry MacLean was himself wounded, and Harry Eisenhauer was called forward to replace him. On May 25th I was called up to take over from John Millard, and went forward just as 5th Armoured Division began pouring through our positions. After checking in at Bn HQ, I proceeded forward to where the rifle companies were dug in on their final objectives. Back with “A” Company John was sitting on the ground wearing battle order and steel helmet, with his map case between his feet. He looked up when he saw me and said, “Oh Bill, thank God you’re here!” He then showed me the company positions on the map, and left without further ado. I did not see him again until 1949 when he and his wife attended our wedding. He was a good officer, and I have often wondered how he got along in his staff appointment in 5 Canadian Division. He might have made a good commanding officer for the West Novas later in the war. That evening a message was received from Bn HQ to say that the CO was on his way up to have a drink with my officers and senior NCOs. We rather wondered what he was up to, but gathered together in a small building which was being used as Company HQ. When Ronnie arrived, he beckoned me outside and, to my astonishment, fastened a pair of crowns on my shoulder straps. He then led me into the building and announced rather dramatically, “Gentlemen, meet Major Thexton!” It was my proudest hour in the war. I was to remain in command of the company for the next seven months, considerably luckier than most of my fellow “C” rifle company commanders. We remained just north of the Hitler Line positions until the end of May when the division withdrew to the Volturno Valley to regroup and absorb reinforcements. The division needed a pause, having been in action almost continuously since the previous July. We spent two months getting reenergized for whatever lay ahead. General Alexander’s plan was unfortunately not followed in its entirety by General Mark Clark. Instead of advancing into the Alban hills and cutting off the German 7th Army retreating to the north, 5th US Army headed for Rome. The papers a few days later were headlined “the American Army captures Rome!” Most of the retreating Germans got away. West Nova causalities in the Liri Valley battles were heavy, and included 51 killed, 170 wounded, and 20 missing.
Looking for more information and photos of Cpl.Frederick '' Freddie '' Hutchison Behie of Sheet Harbor Nova Scotia. Freddie was KIA, May 2nd 1945 in my village NYKERK,Holland. He was buried by Captain Chaplain Laurence Frank Wilmot. Freddie was an Despatch Driver of the WNSR. First buried in NYKERK,final reinterment Canadian War Cemetery Groesbeek,Holland. On May 2nd 2018 his nephew and his wife will visit NYKERK and they are our guests till May 5th, Dutch Liberation Day.On May 4th we bring honor to Freddie at Groesbeek Cemetery ( Dutch Memorial Day ) I allready having his photo and War Diary,but maybe there will be a photo as an Despatch Driver. May 2nd 2018 our newspaper honors Freddie with a full page. Maple Leaf UP, Jaap Vermeer ( Member of the Dutch Empire )
This is the Tac Sign design used by WWII veterans of the WNSR to direct traffic to their annual reunions. We still use them today.