James Hale

    James Hale was also known as Jim. He was born on Thursday, 2 May 1918 at 126 Davenport Road, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. He appeared on the census of 1921 in the household of Frederick Hale at 91 Davenport Road, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. He was enumerated as: Hale, James, son, male, single, age 2, born Ontario, both parents born Ontario, Canadian, English, able to speak English, unable to speak French, Church of England, unable able to read and write. In 1922, he was placed in the Protestant Children's Home, Toronto, Ontario. He does not show up in the available Orphanage register housed at the Toronto Public Library. In June of 1925, he was made a permanent ward of Children's Aid, Toronto, Ontario. These are assumptions based on his brother Peter's records. He was taken in by the William Squire family. This was an austere, religious household and by the time Jim was 12 or 13, he decided he had had enough. He hopped on a freight car headed west and eventually ended up in the Summerland, British Columbia area. Jim and Lin, daughter of Findlay Munro and Violet Malinda Kate Nelson, were married on Friday, 23 June 1939 at Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.
     Jim began military service on Tuesday, 25 June 1940 at Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, when he enlisted with Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. He became Regimental Number K53959, and was sent to Calgary I (R) T C from Vancouver on July 15 1940. Here he took Army Tank Training, and was a junior instructor. He was admitted to Belcher Hospital, Calgary, on December 4, 1940 to have his septic tonsils removed. Upon admittance he weighed 166 lbs., clad, and upon discharge from hospital weighed 155 lbs.
     On March 18, 1941 he was transferred to Camp Borden, Ontario, as an Acting Lance Corporal, Provost Duties. He arrived in England on June 21, 1941, and attended a Motorcycle course, Provost School and on August 1, 1942 he was confirmed rank of Sergeant. On January 22, 1943, he wrote a letter to his brother Peter which can be viewed here. He fought in Europe from June 28 1943 until March 5 1945, in Sicily, Italy, France, Holland and Germany as a Reconnaissance Sergeant for the 14'th Army Tank Btn. Of the 1921 days he was enlisted, 407 were spent in Canada, 737 in England, 617 in CMF and 160 in NWE. Of the total 1921 days, he was granted 78 days of leave, 6 of which were his hospital stay in Calgary, and after arriving in Vancouver August 13, 1945, he was granted 29 days leave and R/A.
     He was awarded the following: 1939-1945 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp; and the Bronze Cross (Netherlands) 1945, which were not issued or received until 1948. He ended military service on Thursday, 27 September 1945 at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on demobilization. On his Computation of War Service Gratuity, it was deemed he was entitled to $1,145.62 , payable in 7 monthly instalments of $163.66 each. On his Qualification Card, he stated his interests as Hunting, Fishing and Swimming; and for Team Games and Position, Lacrosse - centre, Baseball - pitcher, Soccer - R. wing. On the Supplement To Personnel Selection Record, dated August 7, 1945, it states the following: PLAN: Work as forest ranger for B.C. Government APPRECIATION OF PLAN: Hale has worked chiefly as a logger in B.C. timberlands and has decided that he would like to become a forest ranger. Physically he appears equal to the outdoor life involved and his experience in man management (confirmed Sjt) suggests he could effectively supervise other men. Hale is a clean cut, virile looking man and his record suggests he could readily master the trg required to become a forest ranger. FURTHER COUNSELLING: In opportunities and trg requirements for forest ranger. Signed, J A Ritchie, CAPT SPO
     According to another document dated September 26, 1945, his future plans were to get a job as a Forest Ranger and the counsellor's recommendations were as follows: HALE, age 27, is a tall, well built, quiet spoken, mild mannered man. Reserved and uncommunicative, he appears earnest and dependable. Educational background is somewhat limited, for what he has in mind, but occupation background centres principally around the logging industry. States he is disinclined to return to logging and would prefer employment as a Forest Ranger. Says he has, alternatively, his eye on a desirable piece of property which he may acquire and start a hunting lodge. Says he has knowledge of this business and believes he would like it. He left his kit bag overseas, which was forwarded to him July 23, 1946 and the contents listed were: Kit Bag, Photo and Folder, Scarf, Pyjamas 1, Shirts (K) 1, Writing Mat., Shirts (C) 3, Shorts (C) 3, Beret, and two illegible items.
     After his return from the war, Jim and Lin were divorced due to his alcoholism. He was a cat (bull dozer) operator, was instrumental in the creation of the Hope/Princeton Highway, as well as many other roads. For the last 10 years of his life, he mined for gold on a claim on the Cottonwood near Quesnel, B.C.
     Jim died on Sunday, 21 November 1976 at home, 475 Green Ave, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, at age 58 years, 6 months and 19 days of subarachnoid hemorrhage. He was cremated on Wednesday, 24 November 1976 at Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.