2011 Convention – Penticton, BC - Legion

www.legionbcyukon.ca
Edwards, Wilbert Daniel (Baldy)
Wilbert was born in St. Rose, Manitoba on October 16, 1923. On February 11, 1942
when he was 19 years old, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve
in Winnipeg, MB. He was loaned to England’s Royal Navy where he was a stoker
mechanic on landing craft and small boats and was trained as a Commando. He served
in Canada, the North Atlantic, and in the Mediterranean Sea on HMS Copra and on
HMCS Chippawa, Naden, Royal Roads, Northney, Cornwallis, Stadacona, Quebec
(Niobe), Givenchy, and Prince David. Wilbert received the 1939-45 Star, the France
and Germany Star, the Africa Star, the Italy Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service
Medal, and the War Medal. After his service, he returned to Dauphin, MB where he
ran his father’s confectionery store and then worked as an engineer for the Canadian
National Railway. In 1959, Wilbert and his family relocated to Osoyoos where they
bought a fruit farm. Wilbert was a long time member of the Legion in Dauphin,
Manitoba and with Branch #97 in Oliver, BC. He passed away July 10, 1964.
BRITISH COLUMBIA / YUKON COMMAND
Edwards (nee Dobbin), Florence Roberta
Florence was born in Kelowna, BC on November 30, 1921. She enlisted in
the Canadian Women’s Army Corps on August 25, 1943. After basic
training at Vermilion, Alberta, she was posted to No. 11 District Depot on
Little Mountain, Vancouver where she was assigned to the Legal
Intelligence officer. One of her jobs was accompanying Veterans who had
immigrated to Canada before the War to the Commanding Officer to
become Canadian Citizens before they were discharged. Florence was
discharged on July 23, 1946 with the rank of Corporal. She has been a
member of Legion Branch #288 in Westbank, BC for fifty-one years.
Elliott, Aubrey Higgins
Higgins was born in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia in 1953. He joined the RCMP in 1972
and spent 35 years serving in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, the NWT, and Ontario, retiring
with the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 2004, he spent six months in Amman, Jordan teaching
Iraqi police recruits. In 2007, he spent one year in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan as part
of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) training, monitoring, and mentoring
members of the Afghan Police. The PRT consisted of members of the Canadian Forces
from various regiments including a Military Police unit. Higgins returned from
Afghanistan and retired from the RCMP in 2008. He returned to Afghanistan as a
volunteer in 2009 as part of the PRT for nine months, returning to Canada in the spring
of 2010. He says working closely with the Canadian Forces and the US Army during his
two tours was a very rewarding experience. Higgins received the Long Service Medal c/w
Gold Clasp, the General Service Medal-Afghanistan, and the Jordan Medal. He has been
a member of the Legion Branch #288 in Westbank, BC for thirty years.
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