Leonhart (Len) Beck - 303- 2349 James White Blvd - Sidney BC V8L 1Z7 -

Picture of Len in WW2 uniform (1945) and above taken in Nov 1998. Right sleeve shows VIII Recce Regt shoulder flash - 2nd Division flash with "bulls eye" - chevrons with badge indicatng confirmed rank and red service bars above the wrist. Center front shows open collar with tie as per walking-out dress. Left sleeve shows black cord lanyard and wound stripe above the wrist. Also note that web gaiters are not worn as per walking-out dress. Len wears his uniform on ceremonial occasions. Len's Bio - born Oct 20, 1920 near Schuler Alberta. Spent time farming , logging and operated a trap-line. Joined up at Grande Prairie, Alberta in January 1941, service # M56278. Trained in Camp Barrie, Ontario and went to England in June of 41. Stationed at the Armoured Corps Holding Unit at Inkerman Barracks near Woking until his transfer to the 8 Recce at Petworth. He served throughout the war with C Sqn - 10 troop. Discharged in Dec 1945, Len returned to his parents home in Bay Tree Alberta. He took up farming and married Caroline on June 12th, 1950. They have one son, Bryan, and daughters, Barbara and Yvonne. They left the farm in 1975 and now make their home in Sidney BC. As a devoted veteran Len spends his time during "Poppy Week" wearing his war-time uniform and giving lectures at the local schools.

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Earle (Lucky) Thompson - RR #4, Box 4122 - Yarmouth NS B5A 4A8 -

Earle writes - " I am enclosing a picture of Jack Fairbairn (left) and myself, with Dutch friends, Wim and Arton Schuld in Oldebroek, Holland taken in 1945. I enlisted in Halifax NS in June 1941, service #SF86969, and went to the Armoured Corps School in Camp Borden, Ontario. From there I went to the Armoured Corps Camp in Woking England. I joined the 8 Recce in France on July the 4th 1944 and served in C Sqn - 10 troop until the war ended in Germany. My Troop Sergeant was Sgt Lalonde and Major Bult-Francis was our Sqn Commander. I seem to have forgotten a lot of my comrades and would appreciate any communication from them to renew wartime friendship. I will not be able to attend the next reunion but would sincerely like them to get in touch with me. My son has email act@ns.sympatico.ca and my telephone number - 902-742-7587.

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