London South Collegiate Institute - Oracle Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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Sqdr. Ldr. John Cruickshank. This officer has completed many successful operations during which he has displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty. Captain Owen D. Cousins, Bronze Star Medal. Citation-Owen D. Cousins, O-12852021 Cap- tain, Medical Administration Corps, Head- quarters 313th Medical Battalion. For meri- torious service in combat from 4 june, 1944, to 29 April, 1945, in Italy. As S-2 of the 313th Medical Battalion, Captain Cousins demonstra- ted unusual skill and outstanding efficiency in the performance of his duties. Captain Cousins coordinated the voluminous movements which were executed with a maximum of efficiency. He made continuous reconnaissance as liaison be- tween elements of the battalion, and kept the battalion headquarters and the various com- panies constantly informed as to the tactical and medical situation. He carried out his tasks with such enthusiasm and willingness that the officers and enlisted men, with whom he came into con- tact, were incited to maximum effort. By his tact, diplomacy and cool manner, he promoted the highest degree of cooperation with all the elements of the Division, Corps and Army. By his skilful planning of the training schedules he took much of the drudgery out cf training, and gained the whole-hearted cooperation of the company commanders and the praise of Division G-2. His loyalty, conscientious efforts and skill exemplify the highest traditions of the medical department. Major John Eric Bright Copy of letter received by lXIr. Bright Dear Mr. Bright:- It is with much pleasure that I write you on behalf of the Minister of National Defence and Members of the Army Council to congratulate you and the members of your family on the hon- our and distinction which has come to your son, Major john Eric Bright, through his appoint- ment as an officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau trwith Swordsj, conferred by Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, in recognition of dis- tinguished service in the cause of the Allies. Yours sincerely, E. G. VVeeks, Major-General, Adjutant-General V.--E. DA Y For sim long years we waited, lill Victory could be won. While country after country fell---wasted before the Hun. From bloody beach at Dunkirk. to India's Canal Strand Our gallant lads were manning the airs the seaklhe land. That we might live in safety, they held the for at bay Through countless hours of misery, until. at last-The Day When Freedom's flag waved proudly where free men slaves had been, And Freedom's bells pealed loudly above the joyful din. lVith cheers and tears all mingled, in gratitude we pause To pray for those who shed their blood to further F reedomis cause: To bring us glorious Victory all of them did their part, And built a shrine of memory in each Canadian heart. -RUTH PIRIE, XIIB. 17

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AWARDS AND DECOR ATIONS T was impossible to obtain all the citations for awards and decorations received by these gallant members of the armed forces, However, we are printing a few which will suggest the great work accomplished by these distinguished sons of South. Donald Hayes Maidens, D.C.M. A44319 KA Corporall. On 11 April, 1945, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry made an assault crossing of the ijasel River. The two assaulting companies, LI Company right, and C Company left, success- fully reached their objectives in area of the M R. 93602-1 forming a small bridgehead through which it was planned the company and B company would pass. A--1-1319 Private tAct,ing Corporalj Donald Hayes Maidens was acting platoon sergeant of 15 Platoon, C Company. ln order that A Company and B Company could reach their objectives quickly it was es- sential that the 1'OLltc'S they were to take be cleared of the enemy. Volunteering to clear the route to be taken by B Company, which was to pass through C Company, Acting Corporal Maidens went forward alone, in daylight over the fiat open country, and for a total of no less than 1000 yards under fire from snipers and machine guns to captare two machine gun posts and a total of twelve prisoners. A little while later Acting Corporal Maidens and another cor- poral charged and captured a machine gun post which was bringing down intense hre on D com- pany area and A company forming-up place. Acting Corporal Maidens personally killed the machine gunner and took two snipers prisoners. By these gallant actions, in addition to almost single handedly accounting for three machine gun posts and fourteen prisoners, Acting Corporal Maidens made it possible for A Company and B Company to get on to their objectives quickly and thus maintained the momentum of the assault. At approximately 1700 hours on 13 April, 1945, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry at- tacked to the South XVest with the object of breaking out of the bridgehead. As C Company were advancing to their objective they came under very heavy machine gun hre. Acting Corporal Maidens moved a section into a right flanking position from where he led an assault over 300 yards of ground, swept by heavy ma- chine gun fire, to overcome the strong point and enable the advance to proceed. Acting Corporal Maidens personally killed one officer and two other ranks and captured three prisoners during the attack on this well defended position before he himself was severely wounded and evacuated. During the period of time from the crossing of the Ijasel until he was wounded, Acting Cor- poral Maidens was an inspiration not only to his platoon but to the whole company. The com- IS ' plete disregard he showed for his own safety, and his leadership under fire, contributed greatly to the success of both the operations described. His courage was of the highest order and his actions in the face of the enemy completely fearless, and in keeping with the finest traditions of the SCFVICC. Squadron, Leader W. A. Olmsted, D.F.C. and bar. This officer has lead the Squadron through very many sorties during which great loss has been inflicted on the enemy. Much of the suc- cess achieved can be attributed to this off1cer's brilliant leadership, outstanding skill and cour- age, which have inspired all his command. Squadron Leader Olmstead himself has been re- sponsible for putting out of action a large num- ber of mechanical vehicles, numerous locomo- tives, coaches and much other equipment. He has also destroyed four enemy aircraft. His determination to harass the enemy on every possible occasion has been worthy of the highest praise. Citation to the bar- since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, SquadronjLeader Olmsted has destroyed afurther eighty mechani- cal vehicles. In addition he has repeatedly at- tacked enemy locomotives in most heavily de- fended areas on the outskirts of the Ruhr, severely damaging twenty-seven vehicles and a large number of goods and trucks. In Septem- ber, 1944, a very large amount of enemy equip- ment was destroyed and damaged. Squadron, Leader Olmsted has always displayed magnifi- cent leadership and a fine fighting spirit which are worthy of high praise. F, Lt. C. H. W. Henderson, D.F.C. This officer has completed very many sorties against targets in Germany and has never failed to press home his attacks. In December, 1944, he piloted an aircraft in an attack on Duisburg. On the run in to the target, the starboard engine began to vibrate badly. Nevertheless, Lieuten- ant Henderson maintained his position in the formation until the target was bombed. Not until then did he break away to feather the pro- pellor of the defective engine. Afterwards his aircraft was subjected to much anti-aircraft fire, but Flight Lieutenant Hender- son flew clear and on to an airfield in allied terri- tory. Whilst making his approach to land he saw another aircraft in a condition which made it imperative that it be landed at once. Although at a low altitude and with one engine out of action, Flight Lieutenant Henderson circled the airfield until the other aircraft was safely down. He then came in himself and effected a safe landing. This officer has invariably displayed a high standard of courage and resolution.

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South's VV'ar Services Record War Services Committee EFORE 19-l1f19-12 school year, all war ser- vices activities were handled by the Literary Society. However, in 19-11, the school decided that a separate committee should be formed to take care of all war servicesin the school. The convenor of the committee throughout the war was Miss M. K. Macpherson. Through her work the XYar Services Committee in South Collegiate made a great contribution to the war effort. Others on the staff, Mrs. E. M. Pickett, Mr. IV. T. Armstrong and Mr. C. bl. Burns, also contributed time and energy in assisting with war services work. The student members of the 1Var Services Committee are as follows: 1941-42-Anna Vlfinslow, Betty Isaacs, Kath- ryn Fallis, Jack Byles, Bob Rowe. 1942-43-Kathryn Fallis, jean Muma, Doris Shirley, Barbara Conibear, Ron Keith, john Livingstone, Michael MacKenzie, Tom McLarty. 1943-44-Doris Shirley, Ruth Boyce, Joyce Jebson, Ruth Craig, Tom McLarty, Charlie McKerlie, Don Marshall, Albert jones. 1944-45-Ruth Craig, Betty Andrews, Mar- garet Macklin, Helen Turnbull, Lorna Vlfelling- ton, Tom Spettigue, Bob McKerlie, Charlie Moore, Ron Sprang, Brock Rachar. 1945-46-Lorna XVellington, Marion Mac- Vicar, Helen Forbes, Yvonne Richmond, Beverly Corlett, Brock Rachar, Jack Noble, jim Hodg- son, Gerald Robson, Owen Spettigue. Early in October of each year, you could feel something stirring in the air at South C. I. Before 9:00 A. M. and 1:30 P. M., boys were commandeered to carry in parcels from cars: girls were picking up and examining maple leaves on their way to school: students in room 24 were plying their brushes very intently: girls were knitting in every spare moment: committees were discussing every possible article for Christ- mas boxes. Then as the month advanced, acti- vities increased greatly. One night every week you would see twenty to thirty girls assembled in Room 25 and working very industriously for an hour or so. The result of their endeavours would be forty boxes packed. The following night Room 22 would be the scene of sealing, wrapping and addressing the parcels. When activities gradually became normal again you could feel a difference in the airy this time it was a feeling of deep satisfaction and pride over the accomplishment of a very worthwhile task. Our one hope was that the recipients of the boxes would know that their old school was always thinking of them. 18 Christmas Boxes In 1941, at Christmas, 124 boxes were sent to former members of the school, on active service. Throughout the following years of the war, the following numbers of boxes were shipped: 176 in 1942 270 in 1944 247 in 1943 76 in 1945 The total number over the war period exceeded 930 boxes, with the cost per box ranging from about 352.50 in 1941 to about 33.50 in 1945. The contents of the boxes can be divided into 3 classes, special, useful, and enjoyable articles. In each box was a greeting card painted by students of the Grade XII art classes, under the supervision of Miss B. lVIcCamus. Some con- tained a bright, waxed, maple leaf. Also in all the boxes was a pair of wool socks, hand-knitted by students, parents, women members of the staff, or kind friends of the school. Among the articles of greatest use to the boys were towels and face-cloths, which were sent as long as they were obtainable, soap in a box, when possible, shoe-laces, handkerchiefs, combs, and either shaving-cream or tooth paste. Included also were dry cells and razor blades, which were sent for one year only, and nail-files which were sent for two years. Among the enjoyable contents of the boxes were cigarettes, toffee and chocolate bars, or V3 lb. chocolates. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate or soup was included in every box. The Reader's Digest was sent in the boxes for two years. In 1941, girls made fudge in the cafeteria for the boxes and sealed it tightly in tin cans, to insure fresh- ness. In 1945, 1 lb. of fruit cake was sent in a similar manner. Biscuits, Krackley Nut, or Rice Krispies were used to fill in the gaps in the boxes so that they could be packed more tightly. ' Besides the boxes to the boys, there were special boxes prepared for the girls in the services. These contained cosmetics, Kleenex, towels, face-cloths and all useable articles from the general box. To those packing and packaging boxes, the school is indebted. Much was accomplished by the group of girls which worked with Mrs. E. M. Pickett, the group of boys which worked with Mr. C. J. Burns, and by Miss M. K. Mac- pherson who had the difficult task of procuring the contents of the boxes. This entailed frequent visits to many merchants to obtain scarce ar- ticles necessary to make the boxes complete. VVe do sincerely appreciate the kindness and consideration of the numerous merchants who depleted their stocks to some extent in providing us with articles in short supply. If they had not met our committee more than half-way, it would have been absolutely impossible for us to have packed any boxes after the first year.