Honour Roll Branch 002

We Remember Them
Smith Melvin William *1941 † 2006. Born in Calgary Melvyn joined the Canadian Army as a soldier with the RCEME Corps. During his military career he did many tours in Germany starting in 1963. During his last tour 1978 to 1984 here in Lahr he was with 4 Service Battalion. He left the Canadian Forces in the summer of 1985 and took civilian employment with 5 AMU where he worked in the tool crib until the base closed in 1994. Melvyn lived in Kürzell with his wife Emilie (née Günther). More recently they would be remembered since together they managed the Seeterrasse restaurantat the Baggersee in Kürzell, until ill health forced them into retirement. Melvyn is buried in the Kürzell cemetery.

Hodder Tony *1940 † 2005. Tony was a member of the Canadian Forces 1961-1978. He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. After retiring from the military, Tony remained in Lahr where he lived until 1999. He ran various businesses, including Canadian video rental stores in Lahr, slot machine rental to local Gasthaus establishments and provision of special supplies to Canadian Forces peace keeping contingents stationed in Croatia. He was well known and much appreciated for his many generous charitable works. He enjoyed a fulfilled life but died of cancer on 4 August 2005 at his home in Lower Sackville , Nova Scotia . He is mourned by his wife Colette, his step-children Sandra and Joel as well as by his sons Anthony, Richard and Ricky.

Perron Norman *1943 † 2004. Norm served his military career with 1 R22eR. He was also an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion. A founding member of Branch 002 where he held several posts on the executive committee was a member of the Colour Party and always available to assist on every occasion. Norm remained in Germany following his release from the army living in Reichenbach with his wife and family. He worked as a civilian employee of Graphic Arts (so called Queen's Printers) at the Kaserne until downsizing in 1993. He died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack, leaving his grieving German wife Brigitte Perron (née Christ) and their children Denis and Vanessa. Norm is also sadly missed by his fellow Legion Comrades. Norm is buried in the Reichenbach cemetery.
Donner von Gromoff Dlores *1930 † 2003.Dolly as she was known to us was an active member of Branch 002. She spent many years as the Hospital Representative. She was always working in the kitchen and provided many a good meals for her comrades. She enjoyes the Legion and her good nature was catching and she was a delight to have as a member.
Williams Robert * 1946 † 2001. Bob was well known to Canadians in Lahr. For more than 10 years Bob was the top Disco-Jockey at several night clubs in Lahr, including "The Scotch Club", "Disco 66" and "Disco 77". Bob came to Lahr, from London, England in 1970. His dynamic style, knowledge of dance music and ability to get people into a party mood, made Bob one of the most popular and sought after DJ's in southern Germany. He was very approachable and many Canadians in Lahr considered him a friend. Bob left DJ-ing in the early '80's and qualified as a Radio-T.V. and Computer technician. He worked as a technician for CANEX before moving on to a German firm. Ill health plagued Bob for several years as he suffered the effects of diabetes, strokes, heart disease and kidney failure. Bob was 55 when he passed away on 23 March while undergoing dialysis at the Lahr Krankenhaus. Bob is buried in the Bergfriedhof , Lahr and on his grave stone is a tribute to his life, the inscription reads Don't Worry Be Happy. Bob is survived by the ladies in his life, Monika and Beate, and two sons.
Riley John *1915 † 2001. John is buried in the Bergfriedhof, Lahr.
Griffith-Jones Edelgard *1945 † 2000. Edelgard died on the 23rd of April 2000 after loosing a long struggle with cancer. She was a very pleasant and friendly person who was always available to assist anyone in need. She helped out often at the Legion preparing and serving food on Friday's during our happy hours, card nights and other events. Edelgard is buried in the Bergfriedhof, Lahr and is survived by her husband Dave who returned to Canada and one son Andy who still resides in the Lahr area.
Hünd Christian Friedrich *1929 † 2000. Fritz as he was known to us was born in the Netherlands but spent most of his adult life in Germany. Passed away at age 70 in the Offenburg hospital after a short but serious illness that caused vital organs to shut down. Fritz had a lot of respect for the Canadians that he got to know through the Royal Canadian Legion. He supported the branch on many occasions as a Colour Party Member throughout Europe. Fritz is survived by his daughter and three grandchildren and is buried in the Malberg cemetery.
Clifford Malcolm John * 1924 † 1997. Mel was a Veteran of World War II  and an outstanding supporter of the Royal Canadian Legion. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on 11 April 1924. He enlisted as a boy soldier in early 1938 at the age of 14 (gave his age as 16) in the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards (Cavalry) at Ottawa. On on 13 September 1938 transferred to the 1st Corps Troop Supply Column, RCASC at Ottawa. In December 1943 voluntarily transferred to 85th Bridge Company, RCASC at Coolhurst England, as a motorcycle despatch rider. Embarked for the invasion front, France on 7 July 1944 from Gosport, England. Remained in the war zone, France, Belgium. Holland and Germany throughout the entire campaign until reaching the Elbe River in Central Germany on 8 May 1945. more
Cliche Robert * 1951 † 1994. Bob died as the result of a car accident when his car left the road and smashed into a tree on Christmas Eve. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a young man was posted to Canadian Forces Base Lahr in the late 1980's where he worked as Chief Clerk for Base Operations, later was posted to Headquarters 4CMBG. Upon release from the military he worked as a civilian for CANEX and later took employment with a German Firm Janoschka in Kippenheim as a dispach driver. Bob was a member of the Lahr German/Canadian Friendship Club. He was very active in both the Canadian and German communities and concenquently left behind a lot of good friends. Bob is buried in the Kippenheim cemetery.
Harding Pat * 1923 † 1994 Pat is buried in the Hugsweier cemetery.
Sommers Frank * 1929 † 1992. Frank died at his work place one Monday morning as the result of a heart attack. Frank spent his military career with the Artillery. When he was released from the army he spent the first year working in the arena and then took employment with Base Maintenance where he soon became the man too see if you needed something that was in the military system. It was said that Frank had the NATO Stock Number System committed to memory. One thing for sure Frank was always available to assist you in a very professional and friendly manner. Frank's wife Erika who passed away 13 April 2002 is also buried in this plot at the Mahlberg cemetery.
Hossack John * 1948 † 1991. John died on Canada Day 1991 as a vehicle hit his motorcycle from behind and he was driven into a guardrail while turning into Kippenheimweiler. Although John spent his military career with the Tank Corps he was better known in the military community as a successful businessman having opened and operated several gift shops in the Lahr and Baden area after taking an early release from the Canadian Forces. John was a very likeable person who could always be found in one of his outlets ready for a good chat and consequently left behind many good friends. John having no family or relatives living in this area the Legion has adopted and look after his grave. He is buried in the Bergfriedhof in Lahr.
Davidson George * 1925 † 1990. George was a Veteran of World War II. He had heart problems and passed away suddenly on 16 January 1990. George was born in Kingston, Ontario on 03 June 1925 and served with the RCOC (Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps) during the Second World War. He retired from the Military Service in 1948 and continued his affiliation with the Public Service of Canada as well as being an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was the President of Branch 002 in Lahr. He enjoyed traveling with the Legion Colour Party to the many services of remembrance throughout Europe and consequently made many friends. George was employed by Canadian Forces Base Lahr in the Supply since 1973. He is sadly missed by his many friends and is buried in the Bergfriedhof in Lahr.
Roy Paul * 1929 † 1989. Paul was born on 03 August 1929 in Quebec City, Canada. He joined the Canadian Army in 1962 as a cook in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. Paul married his German wife Ingrid on 04 September 1969 in London, England where they spent their honeymoon. At this time Paul was stationed with 4 CMBG in Iserlohn, Germany. Paul left the military in 1984 because of heart problems and took employment with Canadian Forces Europe as a cook in the mess and institute system in the Lahr area. He continued to work in this capacity until his sudden death on 06 August 1989. Paul is is buried in the Bergfriedhof in Lahr and survived by his wife Ingrid who still resides in Lahr.
Allaire Albert * † Albert is buried in the Bergfriedhof , Lahr
Dent William * 1932 † 1983. Bill passed away in the Lahr hospital at age 51 on 30 July 1983 having lost the final battle with cancer. Bill served in the Canadian Army as an Artilleryman from August 1950 until he retired as a Sergeant Major from 1RCHA in September 1976. I met Bill the first time in 1959 when he was a young instructor at the Artillery School in Shilo Manitoba. My memory as a recruit amid the chaos of recruit training was his professionalism as a soldier and we all had great admiration and respect for his his honesty and fairness in the way he treated us as individuals, a trait that obviously stayed with him throughout his career. He will be sadly missed by all whom had the privilege of knowing him. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, 1RCHA and his many friends extend their deepest sympathy to his family. Bill is buried in the Kürzell cemetery. Unfortunately the actual gravesite has been lost over time.

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