Volume 6 - Legion BC/Yukon Command Website

British ColumBia / Yukon CommandMatula, RobertRobert was born in Ostrava in the Czech Republic in 1918. When Germany occupied theSudetenland, he escaped and joined a Czech Infantry Brigade in southern France. He was brieflya POW before he escaped and reached Britain where he was recruited by British intelligence.Robert parachuted into the Moravian Mountains in Czechoslovakia on September 13, 1944 toconduct sabotage. He helped a Czech tank brigade fighting with the Russians capture Ostrava. Toavoid Russian occupation of his homeland, Robert and Violet, his English-born wife, went to theBritish zone of occupied Germany, coming to Canada a decade later. The deputy mayor of Ostravapresented Robert with a medal on the 60 th anniversary of the liberation of Czechoslovakia and onhis 89 th birthday, he was presented with a Czech Gold Cross. The day before he turned 90, Robertwas promoted Honourary Brigadier-General in a ceremony in Chemainus, BC. Robert alsoreceived the King George Commendation for Bravery, the Croix de Guerre, the Africa Star, theItaly Star, the 1939-1945 Medal, the Victory Medal, and French Foreign Legion Medals. He hasbeen a member of Legion Branch #191 in Chemainus for fifty years.Matula, VioletViolet was born in England and served in the Women’s Royal Naval Serviceas a torpedo technician on H.M.S. Badger. She married Robert Matula andcame with him to Canada. They settled in Chemainus, BC where she was amember of Legion Branch #191 for forty-eight years until she died in 2008.Violet was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Victory Medal, and the DefenceMedal.McArthur, HectorHector was born in Havelock, Ontario in 1897. He served with the AlbertaRegiment in World War One, from 1916 until 1919. He was wounded inaction. Hector enlisted again in World War Two, serving with the WinnipegGrenadiers from 1939 to 1942 in Canada, England, France, and Jamaica. Hedied in 1960.www.legionbcyukon.ca193