Paddockwood Roll of Honour
Paddockwood is a village in Saskatchewan, Canada located 48.52 kilometers (30.15 miles) north of Prince Albert at Lat (DMS) 53° 31′ 00″ N Long (DMS) 105° 34′ 00″ W Dominion Land Survey Section 25, Township 52, Range 25, West of the 2nd meridian.
It is interesting to note that “the Paddockwood District was settled by many First World War Veterans taking up homesteads and developing the community, through the Soldier Settlement Board.”*
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 31 -Paddockwood was formed in 1926 replacing the Great War Veterans Association which served veterans and spouses. The Royal Canadian Legion Ladies’ Auxillary Branch Number 31 was formed in 1927.
F. Pitts, J. Mowbray, D. Daisley, G. Brown, and W. Beethem were lost in World War I. J.A. Beck, E. Backman, L. Craig, A. Chyney, H. Judd, E. Land, D. McConnechy, W. McIntyre, M. Rankin, M. Sorenson, J. Thompson, J. Weedon, and J. White gave the supreme sacrifice in World War II.
Cordwood and Courage 1911-1982 Paddockwood, Beaton, Chesley, Chiefswood, Dorothy I-II, Elk Holme, Elkrange, Birchbark, Howard Creek, Melba, Moose Lake, Pine Valley, Surrey local history book written by the Paddockwood and District History Book Committee 1982 lists the names of those who served in both Great Wars, as well, as those who served post war, and in the Korean War.
John Dinius serving with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Third Battalion served in the Korean War. According to the Prince Albert Herald, Dinius noted “If you’re telling stories you’re making it look like there’s something good about it or exciting about it, but when you’re in it, it’s just a dirty rotten job — that’s all it is”
The Herald reported that 516 Canadians died overseas during the Korean War. Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial notes that 39 of these were from Saskatchewan.
The Royal Canadian Legion 31 from Paddockwood made a donation towards the establishment of the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France. 2014 marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944 and commemorative events are being held June 2014 in both Canada and France.
“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”~John Diefenbaker
The Paddockwood Royal Canadian Legion Branch 31 mentions that their motto is “To Serve Our Veterans and Our Country” as reported in the Command History Book along with the history of the Royal Canadian Legion Branches in Saskatchewan.
Author Julia Adamson
Bibliography:
Paddockwood and District History Book Committee 1982. Cordwood and Courage 1911-1982 Paddockwood, Beaton, Chesley, Chiefswood, Dorothy I-II, Elk Holme, Elkrange, Birchbark, Howard Creek, Melba, Moose Lake, Pine Valley, Surrey ISBN 0-88925-407-9, Friesen Printers Altona, MB. 1982.
Clarke, Tyler. Korean Peace Treaty hits 60 years -Image:Paddockwood area veteran John Dinius is seen during the Korean War with two Korean Augmentation Troops Commonwealth Division solders. April 05, 2013
* The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command Commemorative History Book 1926-2006 A collection of Memories, Activities and Community Commitment from our Branches and Members throughout the Province! Page 55 (pdf)
Presentation and hanging of the post World War Two Honor Roll. Paddockwood Legion Branch #31
from Royal Canadian Legion album Together We Served.com
Juno Beach Centre Contributing Legions. 2014.