Virden Veteran honored
February 13, 2018, 12:12 pm
Second World War Veteran John Newman, of Virden, was recently presented a Quilt Of Valour for his service with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles by Local Veteran Ret. Bombardier Geoff Logue, Cst Kristin Foreman and S/Sgt Joe Frizzley.
The Quilt has been across Canada and signed by many other Veterans and a symbol of support and recognition of service and sacrifice from the Country and fellow Veterans.
John Newman, 98, is one of very few surviving veterans of the Second World War in Canada and one of the last surviving veterans in Virden. He was a member of the Winnipeg Rifles, also known as “Little Black Devils”, and worked as an aircraft mechanic during the war. He remembers taking the wings and rudders off of the Tiger Moths and putting new bolts in.
He was responsible for fuelling the planes, lighting flare pots during night flights, and ensuring everyone was strapped in properly before takeoff.
