Obituaries
Major Alexander St Clair MacPherson, CD
On 11 Nov 1999, the 15th Field Regiment, RCA Officers' Mess lost one of its early members with the passing of Major Alexander St Clair MacPherson, CD.
Clair joined the 15th Fd Artillery Brigade NPAM in 1934 aged 15. At age 18 he became a Sergeant Major with 58 Battery. In 1940 he was posted to 108 Anti-Tank Battery, CASF in Lethbridge. In 1941 he reverted to Gunner to get overseas. By 1943 he was Captain in a field regiment with 1st Div in Italy. ln l944, he returned as a major to England to become an Air OP pilot, RCA.
On his return to Vancouver he joined the 43 HAA Regt at Bessborough as a BC until he moved to Kitimat. Some years later he returned to Vancouver to found Kerrisdale Travel and rejoined the Bessborough Mess as an associate member until 1990 when he moved to Langley. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Lions Club and the Masonic Order. It is fitting that he passed away at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
On 11 Nov 1999, the 15th Field Regiment, RCA Officers' Mess lost one of its early members with the passing of Major Alexander St Clair MacPherson, CD.
Clair joined the 15th Fd Artillery Brigade NPAM in 1934 aged 15. At age 18 he became a Sergeant Major with 58 Battery. In 1940 he was posted to 108 Anti-Tank Battery, CASF in Lethbridge. In 1941 he reverted to Gunner to get overseas. By 1943 he was Captain in a field regiment with 1st Div in Italy. ln l944, he returned as a major to England to become an Air OP pilot, RCA.
On his return to Vancouver he joined the 43 HAA Regt at Bessborough as a BC until he moved to Kitimat. Some years later he returned to Vancouver to found Kerrisdale Travel and rejoined the Bessborough Mess as an associate member until 1990 when he moved to Langley. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Lions Club and the Masonic Order. It is fitting that he passed away at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Colonel Graham Frederick Blyth CD
ln 1929, at age 16, Graham Blyth enlisted in the 15th Field Artillery Brigade as a gunner. At that time, the unit was horse mounted and one of his duties after parade was to return the string of horses to the stables on the west side of Camosun St at about West 37th Ave. (on the Endowment Lands). He would then walk over to Dunbar and catch a street car home, the ticket having been provided by the Orderly Room.
He later transferred to the 15th Coast Artillery where he became a sergeant. Following the outbreak of WWII he proceeded to the Gordon Head Officer Training Centre to qualify as a 2nd Lt. Soon after he went to England and there was posted to the newly formed Cdn Intelligence Corps where he became Chief Instructor and later 2 i/c of the unit.
Shortly after D Day he led five counter-intelligence detachments to Normandy, thence through France to Antwerp,
Belgium where he was injured by a V-l flying bomb. After recovery he served with counter-intelligence at
Canadian Army HQ in Holland.
Following his return to Canada he joined the 43d HAA Regt in 1941, once again at Bessborough Armoury. He
was made Adjutant and later a BC. From 1954 to 1958 he commanded the unit as LCol. Following this he was
further promoted to Colonel as Commander 24th Militia Group( made up of all militia units in lower mainland
BC).
ln 1972 he was made Honourary LCol and later Honourary Colonel of his old Regiment (now part of the I5th Field
Regt), again at Bessborough. He retired in 1982 and from then until his death on 7 June 1999, he was an honoured and active member of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA Officers' Mess Association.
ln 1929, at age 16, Graham Blyth enlisted in the 15th Field Artillery Brigade as a gunner. At that time, the unit was horse mounted and one of his duties after parade was to return the string of horses to the stables on the west side of Camosun St at about West 37th Ave. (on the Endowment Lands). He would then walk over to Dunbar and catch a street car home, the ticket having been provided by the Orderly Room.
He later transferred to the 15th Coast Artillery where he became a sergeant. Following the outbreak of WWII he proceeded to the Gordon Head Officer Training Centre to qualify as a 2nd Lt. Soon after he went to England and there was posted to the newly formed Cdn Intelligence Corps where he became Chief Instructor and later 2 i/c of the unit.
Shortly after D Day he led five counter-intelligence detachments to Normandy, thence through France to Antwerp,
Belgium where he was injured by a V-l flying bomb. After recovery he served with counter-intelligence at
Canadian Army HQ in Holland.
Following his return to Canada he joined the 43d HAA Regt in 1941, once again at Bessborough Armoury. He
was made Adjutant and later a BC. From 1954 to 1958 he commanded the unit as LCol. Following this he was
further promoted to Colonel as Commander 24th Militia Group( made up of all militia units in lower mainland
BC).
ln 1972 he was made Honourary LCol and later Honourary Colonel of his old Regiment (now part of the I5th Field
Regt), again at Bessborough. He retired in 1982 and from then until his death on 7 June 1999, he was an honoured and active member of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA Officers' Mess Association.
Warrant Officer Class II Wyndever (Windy) Artemis James Wadden CD
“Windy” passed away on December 16th, after a short illness at Burnaby General Hospital. Pre-deceased by his wife Phyllis in 1987, he is survived by his children Carmen (John) Henry, Bob (Kim) Wadden, Virginia (Ron) Grant, and Philip (Shelley) Wadden. He was “Papa” to Taylor and Kelly Grant, Dayne and Drew Wadden and Arden Tempest-Wadden. He will also be missed by his dear friend Marne. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 22, at 12:00 noon, in the First Memorial Funeral Chapel, at 602 Kingsway in Vancouver. Per Dad’s request, bring a flower and above all, wear something red.
“Windy” passed away on December 16th, after a short illness at Burnaby General Hospital. Pre-deceased by his wife Phyllis in 1987, he is survived by his children Carmen (John) Henry, Bob (Kim) Wadden, Virginia (Ron) Grant, and Philip (Shelley) Wadden. He was “Papa” to Taylor and Kelly Grant, Dayne and Drew Wadden and Arden Tempest-Wadden. He will also be missed by his dear friend Marne. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 22, at 12:00 noon, in the First Memorial Funeral Chapel, at 602 Kingsway in Vancouver. Per Dad’s request, bring a flower and above all, wear something red.
Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth Wade Hicks ED
At Ste. Anne’s Veteran’s Hospital on Friday, April 30, 1999, at ninety-five years. Beloved husband of the late Clara Bridgeman, cherished father of Laureen Sweeney and grandfather of Mary and Daniel. Predeceased by sister Ruby and parents Edmund Hicks and Elizabeth Abbott, all of Vancouver, B.C. Born in Whitehorse, Yukon in 1904, he graduated from U.B.C. in civil engineering, served overseas in World War II and helped set up the West Coast artillery defenses. A Westmount resident, he retired in 1969 after a forty-two year career with Domtar as General Sales Manager for the Canadian Creosoting Co. Resting at the Collins Clarke Funeral Home, 5610 Sherbrooke West. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 4 at the Church of St. James the Apostle, corner of Ste. Catherine and Bishop. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rotary Club of Montreal, 3407 Peel, Montreal, H3A 1W7 would be appreciated. Sincere thanks to Dr. Gabriel, Gail Marsh, and the staff of 6A.
At Ste. Anne’s Veteran’s Hospital on Friday, April 30, 1999, at ninety-five years. Beloved husband of the late Clara Bridgeman, cherished father of Laureen Sweeney and grandfather of Mary and Daniel. Predeceased by sister Ruby and parents Edmund Hicks and Elizabeth Abbott, all of Vancouver, B.C. Born in Whitehorse, Yukon in 1904, he graduated from U.B.C. in civil engineering, served overseas in World War II and helped set up the West Coast artillery defenses. A Westmount resident, he retired in 1969 after a forty-two year career with Domtar as General Sales Manager for the Canadian Creosoting Co. Resting at the Collins Clarke Funeral Home, 5610 Sherbrooke West. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 4 at the Church of St. James the Apostle, corner of Ste. Catherine and Bishop. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rotary Club of Montreal, 3407 Peel, Montreal, H3A 1W7 would be appreciated. Sincere thanks to Dr. Gabriel, Gail Marsh, and the staff of 6A.
Lieutenant Leonard Arthur Zink
Leonard Arthur Zink, born January 14, 1917 in Sardis B.C. to Johann Arthur Christian and Pearl Emma Zink.
Their marriage joined two pioneer Chilliwack Valley families. Grandparents Jakob and Elise Zink emigrated from northern Germany in the 1880’s. Great-grandfather William Hall, Royal Engineer, had come with his family round the Horn in 1959. Died at home on November 7, 1999. Raised on a farm, he joined 4-H dairy calf club and graduated in Agriculture at UBC in 1940.
He married Joan McTaggart-Cowan of North Vancouver. During WWII he helped defend the B.C. coast as part of the coastal artillery.
He returned to the family farm but his hopes were dashed by the great 1948 flood in the Fraser Valley. He moved his family to Washington State where he was in real estate and investments. In 1968 he and Loan returned to B.C. to Ten Mile Point in Victoria where they had a magnificent garden. When he retired he pursued his hobbies; garden photography, pioneer history and photos. He believed young people need encouragement and was a mentor to many.
He is survived by his daughters; ‘Penny’ Diana (Monte) Bickford; East Wenatchee, WA, Rosmee (Don) Sandberg, Pasco, WA; grandchildren , Brett (Karyn) Bickford, Shane (Tara) Bickford, East Wenatchee, WA, Tamara and Niklas Sandberg, Pasco, WA; great-grandchildren, Jakob and Janae Bickford and sister Louise Edwards, Chilliwack, B.C.
A memorial service in celebration of life will be held at Glad Tidings Church, 1800 Quadra Street, Victoria, B.C. on Friday, November 12, 1999 at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to B.C. 4-H Foundation, 844 Windbreak Street, Kamloops, B.C. V2B 5P1
Leonard Arthur Zink, born January 14, 1917 in Sardis B.C. to Johann Arthur Christian and Pearl Emma Zink.
Their marriage joined two pioneer Chilliwack Valley families. Grandparents Jakob and Elise Zink emigrated from northern Germany in the 1880’s. Great-grandfather William Hall, Royal Engineer, had come with his family round the Horn in 1959. Died at home on November 7, 1999. Raised on a farm, he joined 4-H dairy calf club and graduated in Agriculture at UBC in 1940.
He married Joan McTaggart-Cowan of North Vancouver. During WWII he helped defend the B.C. coast as part of the coastal artillery.
He returned to the family farm but his hopes were dashed by the great 1948 flood in the Fraser Valley. He moved his family to Washington State where he was in real estate and investments. In 1968 he and Loan returned to B.C. to Ten Mile Point in Victoria where they had a magnificent garden. When he retired he pursued his hobbies; garden photography, pioneer history and photos. He believed young people need encouragement and was a mentor to many.
He is survived by his daughters; ‘Penny’ Diana (Monte) Bickford; East Wenatchee, WA, Rosmee (Don) Sandberg, Pasco, WA; grandchildren , Brett (Karyn) Bickford, Shane (Tara) Bickford, East Wenatchee, WA, Tamara and Niklas Sandberg, Pasco, WA; great-grandchildren, Jakob and Janae Bickford and sister Louise Edwards, Chilliwack, B.C.
A memorial service in celebration of life will be held at Glad Tidings Church, 1800 Quadra Street, Victoria, B.C. on Friday, November 12, 1999 at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to B.C. 4-H Foundation, 844 Windbreak Street, Kamloops, B.C. V2B 5P1