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ARMY PALS GET TOGETHER Ser NUSENp pe BATTALION FLASHBACK TO MAY 1916 IRST WORLD WAR EXAMINE THEIR BATTALION COLORS Sait Pally B: Camacber Arrival In Oshawa Before Going Oversea From left, Philip R. Cronsberry, (Ottawa), Scott Brandon (Cannington) and W. L. Pierson (OShawa). 4 ETT MeN RD FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF 116th... ..» PEARKES SENDS GREETINGS Battalion Buddies Enjoy Reunion For some people 50 years is a along time. But time was whisked away last night as 120 veterans of the 116th Ontario County Battalion gathered at the Hotel Genosha for their 30th reunion and sup- per. Vimy Ridge, Avion, Passchen- daele and the battle of Hill 70 were familiar topics to these men as they joined together once again to remember days gone by. The "Umpty Umps" as they were sometimes knowyn during the First World War years were authorized as a battalion in Oct. 1915 and quickly raised four companies at Uxbridge, Whitby, Oshawa and Beaverton. THRILL FOR MAYOR Oshawa Mayor Lyman Gif- ford who was a special guest at the reunion told the veterans that as a boy he could recall the 116th marching through On- tario County and into Oshawa for the first time. "It was quite a thrill',, he said, "I was only 13 years old at the time and I can remember them coming through the city and finally grouping in Alexan- der Park." Mayor Gifford also sent greet- ings from the citizens of Osh- awa to British Columbia's lieu- tenant governor G, R. Pearkes, V.C., D.S.0., M.C. who was the commanding officer during most of the Battalion's over- seas activities. PEARKES MESSAGE Lieutenant governor Pearkes who was unable to attend the reunion because of commit- ments was not entirely left out of evening's reminiscences. A special] taped recording of all the speeches and comments was sent to him by William Pier- son and his committee who or- ganized the reunion. After mobilization the 116th completed their basic training and left Halifax N.S. aboard the old reliable H.M.T. 'Olympic' bound for Witley, England, where they engaged in further training. The first major combat seen by the 116th was when the bat- talion served as reinforcements during the battle of Vimy Ridge a struggle which ended when the Ridge was taken April 9, 1917. GAS ATTACK Colonel Sam Sharp who or- ganized the battalion and went overseas with it along with sec- ond in command Major R. Smith stayed with the battalion until he relinquished his command to Lt. Col. Pearkes. After Vimy the 116th battal- ion was selected for an attack just south of Avion. It was during this crucial fight that the 116th faced a gas attack and severe artillery fire. With all the confusion created by bursting shells that filled the dusty night air it was ne- cessary to remove gas helmets in order to see. All they kept on to avoid the treacherous gas were mouth- pieces and although somewhat blinded by swollen eyes they continued on to make the raid a major success. NEAR YPRES In September, the 116th re- lieved the 58th Battalion in the front lines' (Totnes Trench) about 1,500 yards from the German front. Total casualties were 18 officers and 270 other ranks killed, wounded or miss- ing. On Oct. 26, the 9th brigade with the 116th in support at- tacked the Bellevue Spur (hear Ypres) and by the morning of the 27th after the fiercest on- slaughts succeeded in destroy- ing the German garrison there. The last major push against the German forces by the 116th occurred at Cambrai where the Battalion lost 400 all ranks kill- ed, missing or wounded. It was at Cambrai near Tou- lon Station i» the Mons area where the initial shots of the First World War were fired. Demobilization of the Battal- lion to place in Toronto after the armistice and since then the 116th has met together 30 times, BATTLE COLORS Lt. Col. W. C. Paynter who is the officer commanding the On- tario regiment which continues the brave history of the 116th told the veterans he was con- cerned about the condition of the Battalion colors. He said the colors are now in bad condition and the 4 ziment is going to try to renovace them. These colors were worked and presented to the Battalion by the ladies of Ontario County be- fore they left for Europe and are sanctioned in St. George's Anglican Church, Lionel Harron of Toronto was the official speaker for the occa- sion and he related many amus- ing incidents thaf"occurred to members of the 116th while in service overseas. Other head table guests at the reunion were: W. G. Ten- nant, Herb Cook, T. L. Wilson, Major Tiegglers, second in command Ontario Regiment, 'Art Bonner of the Toronto com- mittee, Fred Moody, Ed Pear- son and Fred Palmer. TUOMALA MEL vA AT Opposition Grows 'ofr ernest vt OA veto vengeance en She Oshawa Times HAPPY VETERANS GREET EACH OTHER AT 30TH BATTALION REUNION From left, front row, Jack Hill and Jack Crosier. Back row, Mac McColl, L. Nicholls and Jack A. Byrns MAYOR LYMAN GIFFORD WELCOMES VETS AT BANQUET From left, Ernie Thomas (Collingwood), E. C. Warne (Oshawa) and Mayor Lyman Gifford OSHAWA, ONTARIO, SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1966 To Expressway Opposition is mounting as the day draws nearer for city coun- cil to decide what to do about Centennial Parkway. The final detailed planning re- port on the controversial ex- pressway-in-the-valley will be presented to council during a committee meeting on Wednes- day. An early council decision to start, scrap or indefinitely post- pone construction of the major north-south road, is not expect- ed by city hall observers. For one thing, council will have to deal with a plebiscite request which the citizens' com- mittee for creek valley conser- vation says it will present. in May. The citizen's committee is busy beating the anti-express- way drums through a petition campaign. Another citizen's group head- ed by Dr. Brian Doherty has already asked and been granted permission by council to speak at a council meeting after the final report is received and be- fore any action is taken. And the Oshawa Golf Club, which made a presentation to council last fall, has its brief opposing the expressway as it affects the golf course, on coun- cil's traffic committee agenda. PUBLIC HEARING Several aldermen last fall also suggested that public hearings on the expressway issue be held to give all interested citizens an opportunity to see the plans, ask questions, object and make suggestions before council makes a final decision. A master plan of parks and open space in the creek valley, being prepared by Project Planning Associates Ltd., is due to be presented in final form to council early next month, The opposition, plebiscite question, public hearing idea and the master plan may add up to a 1967 council decision on Centennial Parkway. Teenage Council Decides Other Sessions In Order Oshawa's first teenage city| The council also felt on a council closed yesterday with ajsubstantial vote that students motion that the council be con-|should pay for the privilege of tinued in forthcoming years. |parking at school. This way, "We have thoroughly enjoyed|bad parking facilities would be the experience," said councillor|improved. Douglas Clifford. '"'Teenage City Councils should continue in the ma - future." T M B d In its last full sitting the Teen wo ISS I Councillors ran through a full . agenda of business. F R a ] They turned down the idea of or e e ection school uniforms. ; : pS Final results of run-off elec- 'Do you want to militarize|tions held by Local 222, United us," said Cllr. Clifford. "They Auto Workers 4 ; » Were released could perhaps teach us drill in Friday by Pat Mason, chair- school." ' Most 'councillors were firmly Lar coteed the local's electiocom- against the idea of cloaking high i school students in identical uni-| TWO committeemen failed in forms. their bids for re-election in Dis- In its first debate of the|tticts Two and Four of the Gen- day the teen-council gave its|¢ra! Motors plant. approval to a city ward system| Roland "Hagerman, backed by . for elections. the Unity Right Wing group, ' On the casting vote of the|/went down to defeat with 638 0.C. ONTARIO REGIMENT CHATS WITH VETERAN team mayor Pat Cyr the coun-| votes, His opponent, Henry Sem- From left, Lt. Col. W. C. Paynter and Roy G. Atkinson who joined the 34th |cil vetoed a motion for an im-/plonius, supported by the Demo- N OUN Sites é s ONTARIO COUNTY VETERANS RENEW FRIENDSHIPS proved fuaday thes sevvice laleratic 'Rigo Wing, took 400 1915. the city. votes, From left, Lionel Harron, Toronto, J. Cudmore, East Aurora, New York, and W. Pierson, Oshawa