Heroes I have known

During my ten years at Broadmead Care, I’ve had the honour of knowing some remarkable veterans whose sacrifices have touched me deeply. I have had the opportunity to sit with many of Canada’s veterans, learn their stories and put what I can to paper. Learning about these veterans, some of whom joined the front lines as young as 17 years old, resonates strongly with me, especially as a mother of two teenagers in a world facing increasing global conflicts.

Here are just a few of the incredible veterans I’ve had the privilege to meet, who have now passed on. I won’t soon forget them, or their selfless sacrifices.

Frank Poole: Frank was a mid-upper gunner with No. 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron of the RCAF Bomber Command during the Second World War. Shot down over Hanover, Germany, he miraculously survived by pulling his parachute in midair. “The fireball blew off the wings and tail section of the plane. I bailed out but was knocked unconscious. The cold air revived me as I tumbled through the air.”

Earl Clark: Earl joined the Armed Forces in 1940, serving with No. 18 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps. He took part in the Juno Beach liberation operation and his memories of that day never faded. Dressed in his uniform and wearing his medals, Earl passed away peacefully on November 11, 2016, in his room at Veterans Memorial Lodge, surrounded by his family.

Albertine Rimmer: Albertine served with the Women’s Royal Naval Service, stationed at HMCS Niobe in Greenrock, Scotland during the Second World War. She witnessed the devastation and could clearly recall the moment she truly understood the amount of damage the war had done, “It was a lace curtain flying out the window of a bombed building. It was such a lonely thing, this curtain flying three stories up.”

Ted Vaughan: Ted piloted a 4-engine Lancaster bomber, ‘Old Faithful’, on 36 successful missions during the Second World War, including several on D-Day, to help clear the path for soldiers on the ground. Ted lived at Veterans Memorial Lodge for six years, bringing much music to our halls with his stereo. He was humble about his wartime efforts, simply saying, “I just did my job!”

Olive Bailey: Olive worked as a code breaker at Bletchley Park for MI6 during the war, playing a crucial role in deciphering enemy communications. Olive’s contributions were vital to the Allied war effort, and her story is a testament to the hidden heroes of the war.

Murray Edwards: A long-time resident of Veterans Memorial Lodge, Murray was one of the last surviving members of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Regiment (2PPCLI), who fought in the Battle of Kapyong during the Korean War. This conflict was one of Canada’s greatest and least-known military achievements. A highly decorated hero, Murray passed away last fall at 103 years old.

Thomas Burdge: Tom flew Mosquitos along the Norwegian coast, targetting enemy supply ships during the war. “It was more efficient to dive on the target. We had four .303 machine guns in the nose and four 20-mm cannons. It made a heck of a racket!” Tom was committed to supporting veterans who lived at Broadmead Care, years before he came to live at Veterans Memorial Lodge himself.

Since 1995, more than 1,200 veterans have lived at Veterans Memorial Lodge. The countless stories of sacrifice and dedication to preserving our freedom couldn’t possibly fit in just a few pages. It’s our duty to capture their stories, document their history, and share them with future generations.

Lest We Forget.

Shannon Donnelly, Fund Development Coordinator Broadmead Care It’s your turn to support the veterans at Broadmead Care. Visit www.broadmeadcare.com/people-and-stories to learn more about their experiences and make a donation today.