Invictus Games flag tour comes to Sunnybrook
The Invictus Games National Flag Tour stopped at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre today. Home to 475 veterans from the Second World War and Korean War, it is the largest veterans' care facility in Canada.
Meet three of our Veterans Centre residents who were flagbearers at today's Invictus event:
Mac Joyner – Second World War Veteran
A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Mac Joyner enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 18. Following a year of training, he became a navigator bombardier and was posted overseas. With further training, he was posted with 101 Squadron in Lincolnshire, England. His eight-man crew was a special-duty squad that included a German-speaking wireless operator. Responsible for pinpointing enemy targets on bombing runs over Germany, Mac flew 33 successful sorties in a Lancaster aircraft. He was often in harms way and feared the worst, as anti-aircraft fire and shells were firing at his aircraft. Many of the Lancasters in his squadron did not make it back. Out of 30 in his original squadron, 45 were shot down in just six months. New planes and crew were being added every day.
After the war, Mac returned to civilian life and became President of Décor Metal Products, a division of Firestone Canada. At the time, they were the largest manufacturer of automotive safety seatbelts in Canada. His family was, and is still very much a priority. At age 94, Mac acknowledges that he has lived a charmed life. His son, two daughters and two grandsons visit him regularly and he often attends family gatherings.
Richard Ratcliffe – Korean War Veteran
Richard Ratcliffe, was born approximately 140 kilometers north of North Bay, in Haileybury, Ontario. In 1945, at the age of 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy on a quest for adventure. From 1945 to 1947, Richard studied at the Royal Canadian Naval College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. During the Korean War from 1950 to 1952, Richard served as a Bridge Watch Keeping Officer on the HMCS Nootka. During his 25 years with the Navy he served on 12 ships and then dedicated another five years to the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve. His last naval duty was as Commander of HMCS Quappelle.
In his civilian life, Richard worked at St. Mary’s University as head of the residences. His next position was with The Maritime Council of Premiers working for the Nova Scotia government. Lastly, he started Cumberland County Knitters, a successful cottage industry business of over 100 knitters who made hand-knit sweaters and accessories. Richard has three children and five grandchildren. A highlight for Richard was his recent flight over Niagara Falls in a helicopter with his grandson Joe. This special outing was organized through the Sunnybrook Veterans Grant a Wish Program.
Jean Vanwart – Second World War Veteran
Jean Vanwart was born in 1919 in Huntingdon, Quebec. Growing up a farm, she was used to a daily routine, many chores and hard work. In 1943, at the age of 24, she joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) at Carlton University in Ottawa, Ontario. For fear her parents would object, Jean initially did not inform them of her intentions to enlist. However, contrary to her belief, Jean’s father was very proud of her and sent a photo of Jean into the local newspaper.
After an initial office filing position in Ottawa, Jean went to Kingston for basic training and then to Kitchener. It was here that she discovered she was “on draft” and scheduled for overseas duty. Together with 70 CWAC recruits and approximately 1,900 soldiers she crossed the Atlantic in the Aquitania, a troop ship. After five days, the ship came to dock at Greenock, Scotland followed by a short trip to the army base at Aldershot, England. Daily routines here included early wake-up calls and seven-hour route marches. Jean was next transferred to a permanent base in Farborough, a short 30 miles south of London. At the Headquarters for Canadian Reinforcement Units, life was busy both on the ground, and in the air with bomb scares at night.
In order to see more of England and find something more exciting than filing, Jean transferred to the Driving Unit at the base. It was here that she met the love of her life and future husband, Al Vanwart, who had been with the Royal Canadian Engineers. Al came to the unit and was awaiting repatriation after a leg wound in Holland. The two hit it off immediately. At the end of the war, their superior officers arranged for them to travel back to Canada on the same ship the SS Ile de France. Two months later they were married in Jean’s hometown. Seventy-one years later, Jean and Al both reside at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre. They have three children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
