Servicemen are listed alphabetically by their Surname.
✝ Indicates individuals who died during military service.
Military abbreviations used in service files have been compiled by Library and Archives Canada and can be viewed by clicking here.
✝ Indicates individuals who died during military service.
Military abbreviations used in service files have been compiled by Library and Archives Canada and can be viewed by clicking here.
U
V
Vandervoort, Harold – LAC RCAF Overseas
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Vandervoort, W.D. (Walt) – Lieutenant Canadian Army Overseas
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Vanichuk, Mike
- Apr/44, p.3 – “Mike Vanichuck is working in a logging camp.”
Vanichuk, Pete – WO1 RCAF Overseas
- Vol.17/1941/No.11-Nov. p.6 – “Martin Naylor and Pete Vanichuk are now Sergeant-Pilot and Sergeant-Gunner respectively.”
- Jul/43, p.1 – “Pete Vanichuck has been promoted to W.O. First Class.”
Verdiel, Louis – Lieutenant Canadian Army Overseas
- Jan/45, p.2 – “Lieut. Louis Verdiel, RCA, was back on a 30-day leave from France. Looks smart and efficient and says hello to his many old friends.”
- May/45, p.2 – “Lieut. Louis Verdial, after a month in Canada, returned overseas just before D-Day. Will probably return to Canada with his unit.”
- May/45, p.4 - #1 CBRG CAO “Although it is late I am sending you this letter on V-E Day from London, England. The jubilant crowds have not yet ceased their singing and cheering, and I can really say that never before had I seen so many happy people crowded together in such a dense and closely packed throng. You see very few who are under the influence of liquor but nevertheless there seems to be a practically inexhaustible strength or vitality that prevents the crowds from quietening down, and you hear songs of every description in various tongues being sung at the same time.”
Vince ??
- May/45, p.6 - “Sports are on there way back with all the fellows returning to the old stamping ground. Expect to line up a bumper track meet for July 1st next year. Will have lots of help then with Vince…as (an) official.”
Vincent, Eddie – Lance Corporal Canadian Army Overseas
- Aug/44, p.1 – “Eddie Vincent (K-602616) RCCS Seaforth Armouries, Vancouver (is) starting upward with strips number one.”
- Mar/45, p.2 – “A final note announcing the arrival overseas of Eddie Vincent #6 CITR CAO.”
✝ Virag, J.E. – Flight Sergeant RCAF Overseas
- Jul/46, p13 - “How well we remember these lads, because they were first in battle and were in our minds and hearts for so long…(including) J.E. Virag…- all youngsters, who were part and parcel of our community and athletic life, were sucked up in the tempest.”
W
Walker, W.E. (Bill) DFC – Flight Lieutenant RCAF Overseas
- Dec/44, p.1 - “Alf Tate has been promoted to Flight Lieutenant, in which lofty atmosphere he will find many old pals, including…Bill Walker…”
Walker, Cliff – Sergeant Canadian Army Overseas
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Walker, E.N. – Flight Sergeant RCAF-RAF Ceylon
- Jul/43, p.2 – “LAC Walker has been transferred to the RCAF in Ceylon.”
Wallace, Dan - WO – RCNVR
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Wallace, Danny
- Dec/44, p.3 – (in a letter from Dan Wallace) “My son Danny is over here now with the RCAF. We had a couple of days together, and at the end of it I sure felt my age.”
Warman, J.E. – Private CMF Overseas
- Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.8 – “The Fifth (Armoured) Division finds Powell River equally well represented. In the smart New Westminster Regiment are a group of well known athletes and citizens. They include Joe Warman…”
- Jul/46, p10 - “From the beaches of Pachino to the Po valley, with interim stops at the Hitler and Gothic lines, at Cassino, at the Morro and a score of other natural obstacles, Powell River was always there…with the Westminsters (was)…J Warman.”
Warren, George – Royal Air Force
- Vol.15/1939/No.9-Sept. p.5 – “Another former Powell River boy, George Warren…is on duty also with the Royal Air Force.”
Waugh, J. (Jock) – PO RCAF Overseas
- Jun/44, p.4 – (in a letter from Norman Hastings) “I did see Jock and Winnie Waugh when they were up here (Montreal).”
- Feb/45, p.4 – (in a letter from Tommy Burke) “I see Winnie and Jock Waugh frequently, but Jock has just gone overseas.”
- Mar/45, p.3 – (in a letter from John Willis) “Saw Jack Waugh last month.”
Wells, Gordon (Gordie) – Corporal RCAF
- Dec/44, p.2 - “So too (confirmed corporal) (is) Gordie Wells, with the RCAF at Pat Bay.”
Wheeler, G.E. (Gerry) – W/O RCNVR
- Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.7 – “In the ranks of the bluejackets are scores of former employees, well known throughout the district. There is…Petty Officer Jerry (sic) Wheeler…worthy of the tradition handed down and maintained by the Royal Navy.”
- Vol.19/1943/No.5-May. p.11 – “Jerry (sic) Wheeler…(is a) Chief Petty Officer.”
- Apr/44, p.1 - “Gerry Wheeler, who was home on leave last week, looking smart as a Sussex cricket, is climbing in with the nobs. It’s W/O Gerry Wheeler, RCNVR now fellows – and the first man what sez Gerry instead of Mr. Wheeler, will be clapped in the brig.”
- Apr/45, p.3 – (in a letter from Dan Wallace) “Saw Gerry Wheeler…here so we intend to put on a P.R. reunion one of these days.”
Whitely, E.C. – LAC RCAF
- May/43, p.5 - “We thank the scores of boys who have written us and are only sorry we can’t include all your letters. We hope to get around to most of them some time. Meantime we would like to acknowledge letters from…LAC Whitely…”
Williams, A.F. (Alf) – Private Canadian Army Overseas
- Jan/45, p.2 – “(K-694737) #11 Trg Btn #6 CITR CAO.”
Williams, C.E. (Ted) – Trooper CACTR
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Willis, J.H. (Johnny) – FO RCAF Overseas
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✝ Wilshire, Maurice – Private Canadian Army Overseas
- Mar/44, p.4 (44) – (K-66262) D. Coy SH of C Can Army CMF “Thanks for the cigarettes that have caught up with me at last. They are welcome and here we only get the “V” issue. At one place here I met Sid Fraser, Gil Maslin, Len Taylor, Mickey McPherson and a few others.”
- Jul/46, p10 - “From the beaches of Pachino to the Po valley, with interim stops at the Hitler and Gothic lines, at Cassino, at the Morro and a score of other natural obstacles, Powell River was always there…With the Seaforths...(was)…Maurice Wilshire…”
- Jul/46, p11 - “Our military casualties in the Italian campaign were not light…Maurice Wilshire…paid the supreme sacrifice…”
Wilshire, Sid – LAC RCAF
- Apr/43, p.5 (9) - “Recent enlistments around town include…Sid Wilshire…”
- Jan/44, p.4 – TTS St. Thomas Ontario “Received the smokes and many thanks… Jack Long from P.R. is in the same Coy. here, so we have the cigarette problem pretty well under control now. Expect to be posted soon – regards to all the gang in the office and mill.”
Woodruff, Don – P Sub-Lieutenant RCNVR
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Woodruff, R.J. (Dick) – Sergeant Pilot – RCAF Overseas
- Vol.16/1940/No.11-Nov. p.14 – “And back on the lone prairie, at Brandon,…Shadow Brooks, Don [sic] Woodruff and Robin Leese are going through the preliminary motions of forming threes, squad drill and rifle parctice. All three boys hope to take to the air shortly.”
- Vol.18/1942/No.3-Mar. p.3 – “The Commonwealth Air Training schools are turning out more and more pilots, observerrs and gunners. Recent graduates include Sergeant-Pilot Jack (sic ?) Woodruff…”
- Vol.19/1943/No.11-Nov. p.11 – (under “We Will Remember Them”) “Sgt-Pilot Woodruff, Jack RCAF Oct ’42 Germany, Raid.”
- Jul/46, p13 (150) - “How well we remember these lads, because they were first in battle and were in our minds and hearts for so long…(including) Sgt. Pilot Dick Woodruff, Jr. over Germany…- all youngsters, who were part and parcel of our community and athletic life, were sucked up in the tempest.”
Woodward, Curly
- Jan/44, p.3 – (in a letter from Charlie Murray) “Hear that Curly Woodward has gone active. (Ed note: Curly, is back again, Charlie, honorably discharged. The old knee crocked up again.)”
Worth, John – Leading Cook RCNVR
- Feb/44, p.1 – “John Worth, who knew a thing or two about cooking in pre-war days, is out of dungarees and in the white with a Leading Cook certificate.”
- Vol.20/1944/No.4-Apr. p.12 – “John Worth has been moved up to corporal.”
- Oct/44, p.4 – (V-42006) HMCS M.L. 050 Gaspe Que “…The News Letter has been coming regularly…Have just finished a six weeks rest period and am now on Canada’s first M.L. …Life on the Atlantic Patrol isn’t quite as exciting as that of the boys overseas, but we do have the odd thrilling moment.”
Wright, Graham – Corporal RCAF Overseas
- Vol.18/1942/No.11-Nov. p.9 – “Up in Alaska group of Powell River boys had a get-together at the hjome of Don Gahan, former company employee. These included…AC1 Graham Wright…”
- Apr/43, p.4 - (in a letter from Stan Richardson) “Lately I’ve met quite a few of the boys including…Graham Wright…”
- Jan/45, p.5 – (R-157518 (Can.) 6430 S.E. RCAF Overseas “…Enclosed a copy of our Wing newspaper. Hospitality is great up here, same as in Belgium. But unlike Belgium, “the land of plenty”, there is very little to go on up here in Holland. Would like to day hello to Ivan Hansen and Gordie Hughes.”
Wright, “Spike”
- Aug/44, p.2 – “…and “Spike” Wright, who started his training with E Company, has been made a lance corporal.”
Wright, Walter – Corporal RCAF
- May/43, p.3 – (R-106713) Bagatville [sic] Quebec “Thanks a million for the News Letter. It sure helps us keep in touch with the boys. Also, thanks for the cigarettes which finally found me in Quebec. Am keeping well, Going on graveyard shift. So long and keep the News Letter coming.”
- Apr/44, p.3 - “Harry Anchor is still working in Vancouver and asks to be remembered to Walter Wright and all his pals in the services.”
X
Y
Young, J.L. (Jack) – Sergeant RCAF Overseas
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Z
Zaccarelli, Gene, LAC
- Apr/43, p.1 – LAC Gene Zaccarelli married Margaret Hindle in Powell River, Sunday, April 11th.”
Zilnic, C.Y. (Cy) – Corporal Canadian Army Overseas
- Jul/44, p.1 – “Special thanks to Cy Zilnic, for copy of the North Caribbean Star.”
- Oct/44, p.3 - “…Fusilier Russ Lambert…is back at Dundurn, Sask, along with Cy Zilnic.”
- Jun/45, p.2 – “Cy Zilnic was another welcome repatriat [sic] who dropped in late in June. Cy was first reported missing and then turned up as a prisoner of war in Italy.”
✝ Zilnic, Steve – Private Canadian Army Overseas
- Vol.19/1943/No.8-Aug. p.12 – “The Powell River district has suffered its first casualty in land fighting in the present war. It is with deepest regret that the district received news on August 10th of the death of Serg Zilnick. Serg, aged 21, who served with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, who, with the Princess Pats and Seaforths, were in the thick of the heavy fighting around Adorna.”
- Vol.19/1943/No.10-Oct. p.10 – “Sergt. (sic) Zilnic of Lang Bay, serving with the Loyal Edmontons, paid the supreme sacrifice as his battalion engaged the Hun in a fierce action left of the Catania plains.”
- Vol.19/1943/No.11-Nov. p.11 – (under “We Will Remember Them”) “Pte. Zilnic, S. Edmontons July ’43 Sicily.”
- Vol.20/1944/No.2-Feb. p.13 – “Our Central Mediterranean casualties to date include the following: Killed in action-Pte. Serg. Zilnic, Edmontons.”
- Jul/46, p10 - “To the best of our knowledge, (one of) the first Powell Riverites to touch down on Sicilian beaches on this first Canadians “D” Day (was) …Steve Zilnic of the Edmontons…”
- Jul/46, p11 - “Our military casualties in the Italian campaign were not light…Steve Zilnic…paid the supreme sacrifice…Steve Zilnic was killed soon after landing and was our first military casualty in World War II”