Leading Aircraftman William Wilbert Henderson
1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
403 (Wolf) Squadron
421 (Red Indian) Squadron
WW II
William Wilbert Henderson was born on a cold 09 January 1917 day on the Bowen family farm, 3 1/2 miles west of Morden. His parents were Austin and Florence May (Bowen) Henderson. Wilbert, his brother Ross and sister’s Iris and Eunice grew up in Darlingford and Miami with summers spent on the Bowen family farm.
Wilbert enlisted in the RCAF in March of 1942 and received postings to Manning Depot Brandon and Manning Depot Toronto for basic training. He received specialized electrical training at No. 1 Technical Training School RCAF St. Thomas, Ontario and #13 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) St Hubert, Quebec. After completing technical training Wilbert departed Halifax in December 1943 on the RMS Mauretania, headed for England.
In England Wilbert was posted to 5 or 6 bases prior to embarking for France and one of his postings was to Red Hill, a communication squadron he found quite civilized. He was able to sleep in a room with a fireplace and a roof over his head and meals 4 times a day. England also provided a few chances to meet his brother Ross, who was based in England with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. They got to spend some family time in and around London. On 17 June 1944 Wilbert departed for France and how things did change, now living in tents and dealing with mud and air attacks by the Luftwaffe. His first night in France was spent in a slit trench he dug under a truck, then lowering the tailgate to keep the shrapnel off him.
In Europe Wilbert was attached to 403 Squadron and 421 Squadron working on Spitfires and Typhoon fighter aircraft. As the war progressed and Allied losses on the air bases were not as high as expected, Wilbert was moved from fighter bases to repair and salvage units till he was needed at another fighter base. Like so many young men from the prairies Wilbert got to see a lot of countries with postings in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. When the war ended Wilbert was in Celle, Germany just outside Hamburg.
Wilbert returned to Canada on the Ile De France, docking at Halifax 19 March 1946. Work was scarce with many jobs going to the veterans who preceded him, so he joined his parents on the family farm four miles north of Morden.
Wilbert met Vina McLeod, a farm girl from Stonewall who was a teacher at a school in Treherne, Manitoba. They were married in July, 1952 at United College in Winnipeg. They farmed for over 30 years raising two sons, Donald 1953 and Norman 1956. Upon retirement Wilbert and Vina moved to Morden, purchasing a house on 4th St. and later to a condo at Vista Terrace.
During his life Wilbert was an active member of the Farmers Union, Manitoba Pool Elevators, Junior Rifle Club and the Morden Legion Branch #11. During his time in the RCAF Wilbert made a number of life-long friends that he kept in touch with till his passing. He was survived by his wife Vina, d.2017, and two sons Donald (Cheryl) and Norman.
William Wilbert Henderson died 29 June 2007 and is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Morden.
Submitted by Donald & Norman Henderson
Leading Aircraftman George Wesley Hodgson
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal {CVSM} with Clasp and Bomber Command Bar, 1939-45 War Medal
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
WW II
George Wesley Hodgson was born 05 December 1918, south of Kaleida, Manitoba on the home farm, to Albert and Henrietta (Sims) Hodgson. He was the third of 5 children, Ruth, Ronald, George, Russell, and Mildred. George attended the Overdale School. This school was in the Rural Municipality of Pembina from 1889-1964. George was a man of many talents and worked on the family farm from an early age.
George enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on 06 June 1941 and was trained as an Aero Engine Mechanic at No. 1 Technical Training School RCAF St. Thomas, Ontario and Souris, Manitoba and served in Canada until 16 June 1944 when he was sent to the United Kingdom. He told his family about the long ship ride from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Scotland. Upon arrival they were initially billeted in a castle (Ellis House) in Journeys, Scotland before being moved to the Air Force barracks. George was repatriated 22 November 1944 and finally demobilised 09 March 1945. In addition to his medals he received the General Service Badge and the RCAF Reserve Badge, these are worn on civilian jackets to indicate service to ones country.
At wars end George became the owner/operator of an Oil/Gas station in Mowbray, Manitoba. It was in Mowbray where George met the love of his life, a young school teacher named Mildred Burnett. In a short time they became inseparable and were married 10 April 1947 at All Saints Anglican Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After his marriage George began working at McDonald Brothers Aircraft Company (1950 -1952) in Gimli, Manitoba. This company had contracts for overhauling RCAF aircraft during the 40’s and 50’s. After this time in Gimli, George and Mildred returned to the home farm at Kaleida. They had the garage moved from Mowbray to a site across the road from the home farm. George and Mildred lived in it and it was eventually moved to the home farm where it sits to this day, 2022. They took over the home farm when George’s parents moved off. George and Mildred were blessed with 6 children, Judith (Enns) 1948, Maxine (Friesen) 1949, Lesley (Hooey) 1952, Barbara (Klassen) 1955, Donald and Gerald 1958. George was a successful farmer until his retirement in 1979. He also drove the school bus for 17 years, which he enjoyed very much.
After retirement George and Mildred spent winters in southern Texas for 21 years where they made many and lasting friendships. George had many hobbies and was a “Jack of all trades” and could fix and manufacture many things. He enjoyed fishing, dancing and spending time at their cabin at Pelican Lake. He loved family Picnics in the park, family get togethers and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandkids. He enjoyed watching sports on TV, his favorite teams being the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Blue Jays.
George Wesley Hodgson passed away 07 December 2011 at the Salem Personal Care Home, he was 93. He is buried at The St Mary’s Anglican Church Cemetery, west of Kaleida, Manitoba.
Information supplied by family.