Search for ""

During the Second World War, William Drinkwater commanded a heavy truck platoon in No. 47 Army Transport Company, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) in Northwest Europe. He joined the army in February 1941. Previously a cub reporter for the Ottawa Citizen, his typing skills qualified him for typing Part I and Part II Orders, which he did at Camp Borden, Ontario for 28 months. At Drinkwater’s request, he was sent on officer training and became a RCASC lieutenant. He went overseas to England, then to the European continent to 1st Canadian Reinforcement Unit. Drinkwater then joined the Winnipeg-based No. 47 Transport Company, part of the 1st Canadian Corps. Towards the end of the war, as a captain Drinkwater was a staff learner at Headquarters, 1st Canadian Army.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Lake served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Needham served in the Air Force during the Second World War. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William A. Byrnes served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Tenhaaf was born in Holland and volunteered to serve in the Second World War in 1941 at age 21. First training as an infantry officer, he was transferred to intelligence due to his multilingualism and joined 1st Canadian Army HQ Intelligence in Antwerp. He worked in battle intelligence, translating documents, studying German Intelligence (Civil) Operations in Holland. He recognized the build-up for the battle of the Bulge (Ardennes) as early as November 25. After VE Day, he worked to identify war criminals and specialized in the surrender of German 'green' police.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Bill Heaslip served as Group Radar Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Talbot served with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion during the Second World War, one the Allied paratrooper units that landed behind enemy lines in advance of the larger invasion force into Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Palmer served as a tank commander in the army during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Manning is a Korean War veteran who went overseas with 2nd Battalion, Le Royal 22e Régiment (2R22eR). He was a member of the battalion's Intelligence Section and served under Lieutenant-Colonel Jacques Dextraze, commanding officer, 2R22eR in Korea.

Content warning: This article contains content which some may find offensive or disturbing.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Sam Ross served in the Second Canadian Infantry Division of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William (Bill) Vradenburg joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1944 just in time to finish the war doing convoy duty for nine months between St. Johns, NL and Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He trained aboard the HMCS Star and the HMCS Stadacona, and later served on the HMCS Capilano.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Ron Davies served in the British Parachute Regiment during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Berrow served as a dispatch rider with the 69th Tank Transport Company during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

During the Second World War, Ron Beal and his regiment were taken as prisoners of war by the Germans after the Dieppe Raid in 1942.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Winifred Field served in the British Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Ross served as a rifleman with The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada during the Second World War.

Content warning: This article contains content which some may find offensive or disturbing.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Rodney served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Willard Sawyer served as a bomber and gunner in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William White served with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry during the Korean War and participated in the Battle of Kap'yong (22-25 April 1951).

Content warning: This article contains content which some may find offensive or disturbing.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Parfitt served as an air gunner in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.