Volume 6 - Legion BC/Yukon Command Website

British ColumBia / Yukon CommanddeTourdonnet, MichaelMichael joined the Army in Vancouver, BC in 1951. After basic training inOntario, he was sent to Rivers, Manitoba for Para training and later receivedthe Canadian Parachute Badge. He volunteered for Korea but was sent toContinental Europe and Germany. He was awarded the U.N. Service Medal.Michael returned to civilian life in 1954 and now resides in Vernon, BC. Histwo brothers, Louis and Marc, also served in the Army.Dixon, James ArthurJames was born in Millstream, Victoria in 1893. He and his brother, Charles,enlisted in the 88 th Battalion, Victoria Fusiliers in February 1915. TheBattalion sailed to England in May 1916 where it was absorbed into the 30 thReserve Battalion. James was transferred to the 16 th Battalion, CanadianScottish, part of the 3 rd Infantry Brigade, 1 st Canadian Division and landedin France on June 6, 1916 where he fought at the Battle of the Somme. The3 rd Infantry Brigade captured a German trench which they held for threedays under heavy fire and frequent counter-attacks. James was killed inaction between September 3 and September 7, 1916, one of the Brigade’s970 casualties. James was buried in the Courcelette British Cemetery, nearAlbert, France. He is remembered and honoured in Prince Edward LegionBranch #91 in Langford, BC.Doratty, Robert OwenRobert was born in Natal, BC. After working in the mines for a few years,he joined the Army in Michel, BC in June 1940. He spent a few yearstraining in England with the Canadian Scottish Regiment and was in the firstgroup of soldiers to land on Juno Beach, Normandy at 7 a.m. on June 6,1944. In September 1944, he received a Commendation from GeneralBernard L. Montgomery for Outstanding Duty on the plains of France.About one month after the end of the war, Robert was sent to OfficersTraining in England and in March 1946, he was discharged in Vancouver,BC. Robert has been a member of the Michel-Natal Legion Branch #81 forfifty-four years.www.legionbcyukon.ca101