Wilbert Roy Seymour

1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal

Manitoba Mounted Rifles

Royal Canadian Artillery

47th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery

WW II

Roy Seymour was born 09 April 1914 and raised in the district of Manitou. His parents were Lawrence and Ellen (Crane) Seymour. Roy was active in 4-H and attended Manitou school. In 1941 he married Beatrice Collins of the Darlingford district. They lived in Winnipeg and Roy worked at the Cordite Plant in Transcona. While working, he was a member of the Manitoba Mounted Rifles, a reserve unit, from July 1940 to March 1941.

Roy enlisted in the regular force 16 July 1942, training with the Royal Canadian Artillery in Portage la Prairie and Shilo before proceeding to England in December 1942. Upon completing his workup training in England he participated in the Italian campaign from November 1943 until January 1945 when the Regiment was sent to France by ship and then overland to Belgium and then Holland. Roy was a Gunner with the 47th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery a unit of the 5th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He was a member of a 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun Crew and was also a driver when equipment was moved between locations. His Battery arrived in the Netherlands in March 1945 and was there until hostilities ceased. Roy was repatriated in December 1945 and discharged in January 1946.

Upon return from the war, he farmed in the Orangehill district until 1979. He helped raise three sons, Larry, Ron, and Murray. He joined the Royal Canadian Legion, Morden Branch after the war and supported various activities of the Branch, be it the annual Legion Bonspiel, selling poppies, calling Bingo, or participating in events. Roy really enjoyed the Thursday night Bingo and the opportunity to socialize with all his friends.

Upon his retirement, Bea and Roy would spend their winters as snowbirds in McAllen, Texas. They also enjoyed their summers amidst the calmness and serenity of their cottage at Pelican Lake. In his later years, he and Bea were residents of Legion House One were Roy continued to be active with the Legion and willing to accept any challenge of a game of pool from his fellow members.

Wilbert Roy Seymour passed away 16 April 2008 and is buried at the Darlingford Cemetery.

Information submitted by Lieutenant Commander Lee Seymour of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Seymour family and from WW II Divisional and Regimental records.