Veteran Joseph John Wedge - Great Uncle of Kayla Arsenault

Josephs Family

Joseph was born to Jean-Pierre Wedge and Marie Blanche Pitre (Doiron) on March 13^th, 1918.  Joseph had 3 brothers, Andy, Frederic and Urban Wedge.  He also had two sisters named Louise and Mary.  Out of the 4 boys of the family, Joseph was the only son to go to war.  He grew up in Charlottetown, PEI and is also buried in Charlottetown.

Joseph’s Journey through War

On April 18^th, 1941, at the age of 22 in Charlottetown, PEI, Joseph John Wedge enlisted in the Canadian Army (Active).  Private Joseph John Wedge saw Service in Canada, Newfoundland, Britain, Central Mediterranean Area and Northwest Europe.  He fought in World War 2 and survived.  He received the 1939 – 1945 Star, Italy Star, France/Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp and War Medal 1939-1945. 

He re-enlisted in the Canadian Army (Regular) on February 12^th, 1952, serving in Canada and the Far East; he fought in the Korean Conflict and survived.  Private Joseph Wedge received the Korea Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.  

On May 25^th, 1956, Private Joseph Wedge was discharged and returned home to Charlottetown.  Almost a year after he was discharged, he was, unfortunately, poisoned on March 27^th, 1957 and was buried in a Charlottetown Cemetery. 

The Korean War

Canadians Involvement

            Over 1000 Canadian casualties struggled to repel the communist forces that invaded South Korea on June 25^th, 1950.  Canadian soldiers were involved and played a huge role.  On July 30^th, 1950, three Canadian Destroyers: Cayuga, Athabaskan and Sioux were ordered to sail for Korean waters, and finally arrived in Sasebo, Japan.  There were 5 others: Crusader, Huron, Iroquois, Nootka, Haida who served under UN command.  A few weeks passed when the first contingent of Canadians, the Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry arrived in Korea as well.  In April, 1951, that unit was rewarded with U.S. presidential Unit Citation because this unit prevented enemy breakthrough of the UN lines at Kap’yong.  On May 25^th, 1951, the Canadian Infantry Brigade, which was comprised of the Second Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, and of the Royal 22e Régiment entered the Korean Theatre with supporting arms.  In the fall and summer of 1951, the UN forces continued their advance to 38^th parallel.  The enemies came face to face across a no-man’s-land between a few hundred metres in width to several kilometers.  Canada had 1,558 causalities totalled of which 516 died.  In total, the number of UN Forces (including South Korea) who were killed, wounded or missing was 996937. 
          This was called Canada’s Forgotten War because of all the Canadian heroes that helped liberate the people, but it took 40 years for the government to officially acknowledge their sacrifice once they returned home. 

http://archives.cbc.ca/war_conflict/korean_war/topics/112/

http://www.kvacanada.com/canadians_in_the_korean_war.htm

  World War 2

Canadians Involvement

When World War 2 broke out, the largest and most violent armed conflict in history, Canada was still a very important part of the British Empire. Instead of joining war right away, they waited a week to declare war on the German Nation.  In September 1939, there were 58,337 men and women whom enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces.  Canadians played a vital part in the British Commonwealth Air Training plan, as well.  Over the six years of the war, over 131,553 personnel were trained in Canada, and about 55% were Canadians. Throughout the wars, 1 million Canadians served in the army, Navy or Air Force; 45,000 were killed and 55,000 were wounded.  Moreover, the Sicily campaign, July 9^th to August 17^th, 1943, was where Sicily became the first piece of the Axis homeland to fall to allied forces in World War 2.  It served as a home base for Italy and a training ground for many officers and enlisted men.  7 months later, these men landed on the beaches of Normandy. During the Sicily champagne, Canadians advanced 150 miles which was farther than any other formation of the Eighth British Army.   On the initial D-day invasion on June 4^th, 1944, Allied Troops fought Nazi Germany in Normandy, France. In this invasion, there were almost 14,000 Canadians who were involved.

 Many Canadian soldiers died in Europe, and were buried there.  After both World Wars, there are 109,980 Canadians who were killed.  There are sites in over 70 countries with Commonwealth War Graves Commission who honor these Canadians.

http://www.ualberta.ca/~mfowler/WWII_Canadian_involvement.htm

http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/72-16/72-16.htm http://www.army.mil/d-day/

Sergeant Charles Ferdinand Bush

Family and Life Before War

Sergeant Charles Ferdinand Bush was born on July 24^th, 1878 in Norwich, Norfolk, UK.  He was the only son of Alice J. Ward (Formerly Bush) from Gorleston-On-Sea, England, and the late Charles Thornton bush who also served in the South African Campaign.  Before enlisting into the war at the age of 37 on March 17^th, 1916 in Montreal, Quebec, his trade/calling was a steward.  Also, Sergeant Charles Ferdinand Bush had served for 13 years in the 5^th Dragoon Guards.  Once enlisted, he was a single man who seen service in Europe, and was killed in action a year later, at the age of 38. 

Private Allister Gladstone Allen

 Family and Life Before War

Private Allister Gladston Allen was born November 2^nd, 1894 in Torbrook, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.  He was raised by Mr. and Mrs. David C. Allen, of Springfield, Annapolis, Nova Scotia.  Before he was enlisted to war at the age of 21 on December 16^th, 1915, in Middleton Nova Scotia, he worked as a labourer.  He fought in the 25^th battalion and was listed on the Nominal Roll of the 112^th Battalion for2 years until he died in was at the age of 23 on February 6^th, 1918.  

-Kayla Arsenault