Northern Ont. MPP searching for Second World War veterans to ensure they receive honours

The number of surviving Canadian Second World War veterans is quickly dwindling.

A group of Canadian soldiers at the D-Day landings in Normandy. (File photo/CTV News)

That’s why Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is on a mission to find the last few still alive in his riding.

“Veteran Affairs has told us there are five,” Fedeli said.

“Now those would be five that are with them asking for some kind of help.”

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A small token for their service

Fedeli’s office was given a handful of King Charles III Coronation Medals to present to Second World War veterans as a token of appreciation for their service.

A King Charles III Coronation Medal designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin and Fraser Herald at the Canadian Heraldic Authority at the Chancellery of Honours in Rideau Hall, struck in nickel-silver and lacquered to prevent tarnishing that was manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)

However – his office was told by Veterans Affairs Canada that due to privacy laws, they are unable to share the information for the five veterans in the area.

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli stands with Pat-Kenzie Diegel who will accept a King Charles III Coronation Medal on behalf of her late husband, Ralph Diegel, on August 29, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Fedeli is therefore hoping anyone who knows an area war veteran will get them or their family to contact his office.

A last chance

“This is probably the last opportunity we'll have to give some kind of extra honorarium to those few survivors,” he said.

The information the constituency office needs includes: the veterans' first and last name, their address, the veteran’s preferred language and a brief description of their service during the Second World War.

Legions look to support MPP’s efforts

Local legions are prepared to help find them.

An undated photo of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #445 in Callander, Ont. (The Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 445/Facebook)

“If you are a World War Two veteran in our area, I’d like you to contact Branch #445,” said Royal Canadian Legion Branch #445 President Richard Rhindress.

“Get a hold of us here in Callander. We want to put your name forward.”

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Rhindress told CTV News that the legion would then help that veteran or their loved one get in touch with representatives from Fedeli’s office.

“It’s going to be a good thing that we take recognition for what they have done for the country,” he said.

“We are looking for these five.”

The medal can be made posthumously, as long as the veteran was alive on May 6, 2023 – the day King Charles III was crowned.

Pat-Kenzie Diegel, the widow of the late Ralph Diegel will receive the first medal on behalf of her husband.

Pat-Kenzie Diegel will accept a King Charles III Coronation Medal on behalf of her late husband, Ralph Diegel, who passed away on March 18, 2024. August 29, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)

He was a Royal Canadian Navy veteran and enlisted when he was just 17 years old. Ralph passed away on March 18 at age 97.

An undated photo of the late Ralph Diegel at Royal Canadian Legion Branch #445 in Callander, Ont., before his death. He was a Royal Canadian Navy veteran and enlisted when he was just 17 years old and served the Canadian Armed Forces from 1943 until 1965. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

“He was very proud of his service because he started in '43 and he remained in the reserve until '65,” said Pat-Kenzie.

“He was very proud of his country, and he never boasted about what he did.”

The deadline for submissions is fast approaching

The deadline for submission is Sept. 12.

Individuals or families can contact Fedeli’s office by phone at 705-474-8340, by email or in-person at 219 Main Street East in North Bay, Ont.

“It’s going to be a beautiful though,” Fedeli said.

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The medal

During the anniversary year, the Government of Canada said 30,000 medals will be awarded on behalf of the Royal Family; of which 4,000 will recognize members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The medal was designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, Fraser Herald at the Canadian Heraldic Authority at the Chancellery of Honours in Rideau Hall.

The medal is struck in nickel-silver and lacquered to prevent tarnishing and was manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint.

Few Second World War veterans remain

From the estimated one million Canadian and Newfoundland soldiers who left their homes at the start of the war in 1939, Veterans Affairs Canada estimates that roughly 9,200 remain.