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Ponoka veteran turning 100 years old

Douglas Redding was a member of the Ponoka Legion for 39 years
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Ponoka veteran Douglas Redding. In this picture he is receiving a Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Service to the Legion and communities of Ponoka and Maskwacis. Photo submitted

Local veteran Douglas Redding is turning 100 years on Aug. 28, 2020.

Douglas was born in Yorkshire, England. He enlisted in the Royal Navy, Fleet Arm Division, in 1939, at the age of 18, prior to WWII.

He served on the Carrier H.M.S. Avenger on Russian convoys with Squadron 252. On return, he boarded H.M.S. Courageous chasing the Bismarck, with the squadron getting the first hit with a torpedo.

He served on H.M.S. Ark Royal and was a survivor of the Malta Convoys.

Douglas served in the Far East in India and Ceylon.

His rank upon discharge was Petty Officer.

Douglas was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Ponoka Brand No. 66 for 39 years. He was chairman of the Honours and Awards Committee and Poppy Campaign; Air Cadet chairman and the first vice president.

Douglas currently resides in Edmonton.

- Submitted by Barb Olsen, Ponoka Legion membership chair



Emily Jaycox

About the Author: Emily Jaycox

I’m Emily Jaycox, the editor of Ponoka News and the Bashaw Star. I’ve lived in Ponoka since 2015 and have over seven years of experience working as a journalist in central Alberta communities.
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