Volume 6 - Legion BC/Yukon Command Website

British ColumBia / Yukon CommandDouglas (nee Burfield), Constance (Connie)Connie was born in Provost, Alberta in 1926 and grew up on a farm north ofLoyalist, AB. In 1943, she moved to Calgary, took a college Business Course andworked with Alberta Hail Insurance Board until August 1944. She then joined theWomen’s Royal Canadian Naval Service at HMCS Tecumseh in Calgary, trainedas a probationary Wardroom Assistant in HMCS Conestoga in Galt, ON, servedat HMCS Cornwallis and HMCS Peregrine. From February to July 1945, sheserved at HMCS York in the Pay Office. Her last duty was in the DischargeOffice at HMCS Naden in Victoria. She was recommended for promotion toLeading Wren and was honourably discharged on March 26, 1946. Conniereceived the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, the 1939 - 1945 Star, and theWar Medal 1939-1945. Connie was secretary for the Royal Canadian NavalVeterans Association for many years after her release. For the last six years, shehas been secretary of the Canadian Veterans Association, Fraser Ball Branch.Douglas, Valencia DawnDawn enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Women’s Division inOctober 1943 in Vernon, BC. She served as a wireless operator (ground) atRockcliffe, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; and Pat Bay, BC. She wasdischarged in October 1945. Dawn has been a member of Legion Branch#24 in Cranbrook for many years.Downing, Joseph ClairJoseph was born in St. John, New Brunswick on October 4, 1925. He joinedthe Army during World War Two as soon as he was eligible and served withthe North Nova Scotia Regiment as a Corporal. Joseph was a POW for threeyears in Germany and later, talked little of his war experience. Joseph wasactively involved in Legion Branch #115 in Squamish, BC and continuedhis activity when the Branch merged with Wood Fibre, also in Squamish, toform Diamond Head Branch # 277. Joseph passed away on May 23, 1997,at the age of seventy-two.www.legionbcyukon.ca103