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French decoration for Kenton man By Sheila Runions Banner Staff
O
n Monday, Dec. 22 at an afternoon ceremony in his hometown of Kenton, John Carl Roseveare was awarded by order of the president of France, the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour. Gunner Roseveare served in the Second World War with seven different companies. He fought with British 21st Army Group under Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery; 1st Canadian Army under General Crerar; Gen. Folks’ 2nd Canadian Corps which accepted surrender from the German commander; 4th Armoured Division; 4th Armoured Brigade which worked alongside 10th Infantry Brigade; 23rd Field Regiment Self Propelled which was so large it consisted of three batteries and a headquarters station; and Royal Canadian Artillery 83rd Field Battery. John was born in Sperling, Man. on Sept. 22, 1921 and grew up there (60 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg) on the family farm until he joined the artillery in January 1942. John trained for a year in Manitoba, including Camp Shilo, before sailing overseas in January 1943 from New York. Following further training in England, he became a field mechanic, a tank driver and an instructor on Canadian Ram and American Sherman tanks. From landing in Normandy, France in July 1944 near Caen, through to the end of the war and then occupation duties in Europe, John served his country until March 1946 when he was honourably discharged in Winnipeg. During his years of service, Gunner Roseveare participated in several battles which led to the liberation of western Europe. He fought in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, arriving in northwestern Germany near Rastede while
on his way to Wilhelmshaven, Germany at the end of the war. Some of the more significant battle activities he engaged in were Falaise (France), Scheldt and Bulge (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France), Hoch Wald Forrest and Kusten Canal (Germany). John remained on European soil until September 1945, and from May to July that year, he served in occupation duties, including the supervision of returning U-boats (German submarines) from the Atlantic. “In support of the Battle of the Bulge near Brede, Holland on New Year’s Day 1945, Gunner Roseveare saved two boys from danger from an enemy fighter plane,” says John’s son Jack Roseveare. “One of them met Roseveare as a returning veteran, in May 1995 near Neede, Holland. It was very emotional meeting for both men. Both cried.” John has received several medals and commendations: 1939-45 Star, France to Germany Star, Defence Britain Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and clasp, Victory (Europe) Medal and now France’s Legion of Honour Medal, the highest honour bestowed to foreign soldiers. John admits he doesn’t “get too excited, but it’s a big honour, yes. It’ll be something to remember as long as I’m here.” Following his war service, John lived and worked in and around Winnipeg and Sperling. In September 1948 he married Annie “Nan” Curtis of Kenton. They worked on the Lyle and Evelyn Lee farm at Waskada for five years until buying their own farm near Kenton in 1957; they retired to town in 2011. John and Nan had five children: John Jr. “Jack,” Les, Bill, Adele and Jim. John is predecased by his wife (2013) and daughter (2000). Jack says, “I had the honour of serving my country with
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I can only imagine what my father and others, like Jack Houston of Kenton who served in Europe during the same time as my father, went through. Dad and Jack are the only two remaining World War II veterans left in Kenton. It is a great honour for me to have known all our veterans. We will remember.” J o h n ’s n ep hew, C ap t ai n Gregory Keach of the Royal Canadian Artillery, opened the medal box to show it to the large crowd packed into Kenton Memorial Hall. When Keach was considering a career with the artillery, he turned to Uncle John for advice on his decision; he was pleased to have a small part in the ceremony. The official presentation was made by Winnipeg’s French consul, Bruno Burnichon. After decades of trying to forget the brutal battle of D-Day, the 93-year-old says watching TV programming this year
Photo submitted and Wikimedi image
Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur was created May 19, 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. The order is generally, although not exclusively, awarded for military service. You can see it pinned on the upper left shoulder of John Roseveare’s Legion uniform.
which commemorates the 70th anniversary of that French fight has been difficult. “There are too many memories I’ve been trying to forget
for 70 years, then all of a sudden, it’s on the screen in front of you again... Sometimes I get up and walk out of the room.”
Politicians were missing in action
By John Fefchak Retired Chief Warrant Officer
France saluted a Kenton veteran, but the event was shunned by Canada’s governments. Not one dignitary, member of Parliament nor member of the legislative assembly of Manitoba took the time to attend and personally honour this most honourable event and recipient, John Carl Roseveare, veteran of D-Day (Normandy) during the Second World War. I was there — I made a presentation on behalf of Virden Legion Branch No. 8. The hall was packed. There were letters read from politicians,
but no government representatives attended. The French Legion of Honour is a most prestigious decoration, and highest award, equivalent to the Canadian Victoria Cross. Unfortunately, this is about par for the course where our “dignitaries” are concerned. There are rare exceptions we know and I am thankful of that but Manitoba has more than 50 MLAs and 14 MPs to represent people and communities. My best assumption is veterans, and especially old-timers like myself, are a very low priority.