Heels, G.

Lindsay Legion Members honour Comrade G. Heels

Over 100 veterans of World Wars One and Two Attended the funeral of the late Pte. Gordon Heels, held here on Saturday. Every branch of Canada's Armed Forces was represented at the service with members of the R.C.A.F., Army, Navy and Merchant Marine being present. Also in attendance were U.S. Air Force and Marine personnel.

Padre Sidney Lambert of Christie St. Military Hospital was to have been in charge of the service but was unable to be present due to the fact that he was preaching at two other funerals from Christie St. Hospital that day. Instead the service was conducted jointly by Rev. H.C. Wolfraim and Rev. J.J. Black, both being the speakers at the Chapel.

Following the Chapel service the Veterans marched to Melbourne St. in a body and then proceeded to the cemetery for the graveside service in cars. Comrade Dave Edwards was in charge of the parade, assisted by Comrades R.J. Moore, D. Osborne and the President of the Legion, Chas. Grozelle.

The Legion graveside ceremony was very impressive as the members deposited their poppies and saluted. Bandmaster W.J. Heffernan played the Last Post.

The pall-bearers were intimate friends of the deceased, namely, Gerald and Garfield Junkin, PO. Ian Bradley, Cpl. M. Balfour, Pte. Hartwick and Murray Heels.

Among those present for the funeral was the late soldier's friend and hospital mate from the time he was injured until death, Alex Shand. A wheel chair patient himself, his presence in Lindsay was facilitated by the kind assistance of his chum and two Red Cross workers. All off-duty nurses of the Ross Memorial Hospital attended the service in a body.

Floral tributes were numerous attesting to his popularity. The Lindsay Police Dept. efficiently directed traffic along the route of the cortege.

Pte. Heels was the 13th member of Queen St. United Church to make the supreme sacrifice and his death came in the 13th hour of the 13th day of June.