GILLAM o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2006-10-04 published
Local man killed in Afghanistan
Parents fly to Petawawa to be with son's widow, three children
By Bill WALKER, Sun Times staff and The Canadian Press, Page A1
An Owen Sound man was one of two Canadian soldiers who were killed by insurgents in a ground attack in Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Corporal. Robert▼ Thomas▼ James MITCHELL, 30, who went by the name of Jimmy, died when the small group of soldiers he was with came under attack at 4: 50 p.m. from a handful of insurgents armed with rocket propelled grenades and assault rifles.
Canadian military officials identified the other dead soldier as Sgt. Craig Paul GILLAM. Both were members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons based in Petawawa, Ontario
MITCHELL, a West Hill grad, is the son of Carol and Bob MITCHELL of Owen Sound.
Their 30-year-old son is survived by his wife Leanne and three small children ages five, three and one.
"They said it was their worst nightmare," said a family friend who did not wish to be identified.
The MITCHELLs were told of their son's death by their daughter-in-law.
Leanne MITCHELL learned of her husband's death when she saw a military car pull up in front of her Petawawa home and two senior officers come to her door.
Carol and Bob MITCHELL chartered a private plane and flew to Petawawa from Wiarton Tuesday night.
MITCHELL was among a group of soldiers providing security for road construction. when they were attacked. The group was holding an observation post in the former Taliban heartland about 20 kilometres west of Kandahar city.
Five other soldiers were wounded.
"They were members of the surveillance troop… a reconnaissance squadron," Col. Fred Lewis, deputy commander of the Canadian contingent, said in Kandahar.
"They were conducting vehicle checkpoints and observation posts at the time."
With the latest toll, 39 Canadian soldiers and a diplomat have now been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
Two of the wounded soldiers were reported in serious but stable condition. All the wounded were evacuated to Kandahar Airfield, the main coalition base and described as having "non-life-threatening injuries."
Lewis indicated the scale of the attack was small, involving between two and five well-armed insurgents.
The casualties were probably caused by mortars or rocket-propelled grenades, he said.
"The injuries right now: there don't seem to be any sort of bullets involved."
Because the attack happened shortly before dark, further investigation into the attack will have to wait until today, he said.
"In this particular case, we were clearing an area to put in a road that would have allowed the economy to flow north and south through the Panjwaii area," Lewis said. "We've got to remain vigilant to the Taliban reinfiltrating into the area."
The attack prompted a quick response.
"Almost immediately other forces responded to it, treated and medevaced the casualties, and carried on with the operation," said Lt.-Col. Omer Lavoie, the ground-level commander of Canada's fighting force.
Two U.S. soldiers were also wounded nearby. It was not clear whether they were hit by the same group of insurgents or a separate ambush. The fighting comes exactly one month after the launch of Operation Medusa, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation led by Canadian troops that officials boasted killed hundreds of Taliban. North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Canadian officials said they had driven insurgents out of the area west of Kandahar city and had done serious damage to the ability of the insurgents to mount attacks.
Lavoie said the latest attacks are a shift back to familiar insurgent tactics after the Taliban were devastated in a more conventional fight.
"They've learned they can't take us on head-to-head in a conventional battle, so they're going back to typical insurgent tactics, (roadside bombs) and hit-and-run tactics," Lavoie said.
The fatal attack was the last in a series aimed at Canadians on Tuesday. The earlier attacks caused no Canadian casualties.
Soldiers of Charles Company were the first to come under fire in the morning as they pushed along the Arghandab River, a few kilometres west of the deadly attack that would come hours later.
Insurgents fired mortars, rockets and automatic weapons at Seven Platoon of Charles Company, the unit that was hit with a deadly ambush September 3.
The soldiers and their Afghan army counterparts returned fire and emerged unscathed.
"Luckily, they're not very good aim," said Warrant Officer Ray Macfarlane, a senior platoon leader.
Closer to Kandahar city and a few hours later, a suicide bomber on a motorcycle attacked a Canadian convoy, setting a G-wagon jeep aflame. The suicide bomber died; no one else was injured.
Local civilians and soldiers have said Taliban have quietly seeped back into the area.
"The Taliban has threatened (civilians) with their lives from any kind of association with the coalition," said Maj. Steve Brown, commander of Charles Company.
"They've gone back to the tactic that has consistently worked for them, that is to infiltrate and conduct guerrilla-type operations. Now they're back at it threatening people and their property. That's consistent with this enemy."
The insurgents have learned how to exploit the Canadians' rules of engagement to escape attack, Macfarlane said. Those rules cannot be disclosed under the embedding agreement that allows The Canadian Press to travel with Canadian soldiers on their missions.
"They're smart. I wouldn't say I respect them, but they've learned to play to our weaknesses," Macfarlane said.
Two suspected Taliban members were detained in the morning clash.
A Canadian soldier died last week in a mine explosion on a road that the Canadians have cut through fields to avoid such attacks.
The soldiers killed Tuesday were protecting a similar road-building project aimed at avoiding improvised explosive devices - roadside bombs.
The spate of violence came on October 3, a day of the month that has proved deadly for Canadians recently.
On September 3, the Taliban ambushed Macfarlane's Seven Platoon, killing four soldiers and wounding several more. The next day, the company was accidentally strafed by a U.S. warplane, killing another soldier and wounding more than 30.
On August 3, four soldiers of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry died nearby in a roadside bomb and firefight.
The foiled rebel ambush Tuesday in the rocky, dry river bed of the Arghandab River was a test of resolve for soldiers of Seven Platoon, still recovering from the September 3 attack.
"Honestly, the troops performed extremely well in combat, better than I expected," said Macfarlane.

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GILLAM o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2006-10-05 published
'Destined for the military'
Fallen soldier remembered as someone who loved army life
By Scott DUNN with files from The Canadian Press, Thursday, October 05, Cpl. Jimmy MITCHELL always wanted to be the protector. The 32-year-old Owen Sound-born soldier died as one Tuesday in Afghanistan, during an insurgent attack with rocket propelled grenades and assault rifles. Fellow Royal Canadian Dragoon, Sgt. Craig Paul GILLAM, of South Branch, Newfoundland, died with him while protecting a road construction crew.
Robert▲ Thomas▲ James MITCHELL grew up in Owen Sound, attended West Hill Secondary School to the end of Grade 10, then switched to Saint Mary's High School in 1992.
Retired West Hill special education teacher Jim McGREGOR recalled the gangly young man with red hair as a gentle, happy loner.
MITCHELL got into scrapes at the school and was very protective of his younger brother. MITCHELL also struggled to fit in and many at the school didn't expect him to graduate. But McGREGOR knew differently "and he certainly did mature."
It was McGREGOR who recommended MITCHELL switch high schools to get a fresh start and MITCHELL did improve there. He enlisted in the Forces straight out of high school.
"He ended up being in the Armed Forces, which is what he always wanted to do," McGREGOR said.
"He'd put on a fairly tough exterior but inside he was a caring kid. I sometimes think we stereotype a lot of these guys, you know, the big Rambo types, but Jim wasn't one of those."
Everyone who knew MITCHELL said he was destined for the military.
Family friend Norm BIGGAR said MITCHELL was always interested in "enforcement," noting he joined Owen Sound police auxiliary for a while.
"He seemed to want to do that kind of thing. He wanted to be out and helping people," said BIGGAR, who works at Rogers Cable with MITCHELL's father, Bob MITCHELL.
Peter SCOTT is Bob MITCHELL's nephew. He watched Jimmy MITCHELL grow up, went to his minor hockey games and later his wedding at Saint Mary's Church in Owen Sound in 2000.
MITCHELL enlisted in the regular Forces straight out of high school but was injured during basic training and had to drop out. He re-enlisted more than six years ago.
"That says a lot for him too," SCOTT said. "I believe that was his purpose and destiny to be in the military. I don't believe it was his purpose and destiny to get killed."
He cared for his fellow soldiers and loved the adventure of army life and "he put his country ahead of his family," SCOTT said.
MITCHELL's father-in-law, Gary HASS, told the St. Catharines Standard that MITCHELL was proud of the work he was doing and felt strongly he was working toward the greater good.
"He was dedicated to his family and dedicated to his military career," said HASS, of Fort Erie.
MITCHELL graduated from Niagara College and his first military posting was with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton. He served with the Royal Canadian Regiment and, most recently, with the Royal Canadian Dragoons as part of North Atlantic Treaty Organization's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
MITCHELL had moved into a new home near Canadian Forces Base Petawawa just days before he was sent overseas.
Maj. James Follwell of the Dragoons said MITCHELL was an avid runner who competed in iron man races and had applied for JTF2, the country's elite commandos.
Parents Bob, Carol, and their son Mark MITCHELL took a chartered flight to Petawawa on Tuesday.
SCOTT said MITCHELL's body will be returned to Canada Friday. Funeral arrangements include a service in Petawawa, he believed, but details were not known.
MITCHELL, who was scheduled to return home next month, leaves his wife, Leanne, and three children, ages five, three and two.
Owen Sound Legion president Bob GRIFFITH is a good friend of Bob MITCHELL. When his friend said Jimmy wanted a career in the military, GRIFFITH advised him how to go about it.
After he was discharged for medical reasons, GRIFFITH had several talks in his home with Bob MITCHELL about whether his son should return to the military.
GRIFFITH feels for Bob and Carol MITCHELL for all they're going through "But then you've got to look at it (as) this young lad really wanted to go into the military, so he was doing what he wanted to do. There's nothing else in life he wanted to do but be in the military," said GRIFFITH, who spent 45 years in the armed forces.
"We all go in knowing this is a possibility. It's just that I was really fortunate in that I never had something like this happen in my tour."

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GILLAM o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-01-28 published
SCHEEPERS, Nellie (PANHUYZEN)
At London Health Sciences Centre University Campus on Friday, January 27, 2006, Nellie (PANHUYZEN) SCHEEPERS, of Ingersoll, in her 72nd year. Wife of the late John SCHEEPERS (1988.) Dear mother of Hendricus and his wife Cathy of Trenton, Rita and her husband Tom DREW of Ilderton and Diana and her husband Tim GILLAM of Ingersoll. Dear grandmother of Maria, Johan, Tom, Lindsay, Alisha and Natalie. Also survived by brothers and sisters most of whom live in Holland. Friends will be received at the McBeath-Dynes Funeral Home, 246 Thames St. S., Ingersoll Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. where funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 1: 00 p.m. Fr. M. KAMINSKI and Reverend Phillip CARROLL officiating. Interment later Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. C.W.L. Rosary Tuesday at 3: 00 p.m.

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GILLAM o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-10-04 published
Two Canadians killed
The attack marks a return to typical insurgent tactics by the Taliban.
By Les PERREAUX, Associated Press, Wed., October 4, 2006
Sperwan, Afghanistan -- Emboldened insurgents killed two Canadian soldiers and wounded five others yesterday in an attack on ground the Canadians took from the Taliban weeks ago.
A small group of soldiers was providing security for road construction, holding an observation post in the former Taliban heartland about 20 kilometres west of Kandahar, when they came under attack about 4: 50 p.m. from a handful of insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles.
"They were members of the surveillance troop… a reconnaissance squadron," Col. Fred Lewis, deputy commander of the Canadian contingent, said in Kandahar. "They were conducting vehicle checkpoints and observation posts at the time."
Canadian military officials identified the dead as Sgt. Craig Paul GILLAM and Cpl. Robert Thomas James MITCHELL, both members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons based in Petawawa. MITCHELL was from Fort Erie. GILLAM's hometown was not immediately available.
MITCHELL was raised in Niagara Falls and married Leanne HASS, of nearby Fort Erie. They have three children.
Leanne was recently accepted into the Ontario Provincial Police.
MITCHELL spent part of his youth in Owen Sound, where he attended high school and his parents still live.
A graduate of Niagara College, his first military posting was with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton.
He served with the Royal Canadian Regiment and, most recently, with the Royal Canadian Dragoons as part of North Atlantic Treaty Organization's International Security Assistance Force.
MITCHELL and his family had moved into a new home not far from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa days before he was sent overseas.
GILLAM's family refused comment at their Petawawa home last night.
With the latest toll, 39 Canadian soldiers and a diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
Two of the wounded soldiers were reported in serious but stable condition. All the wounded were evacuated to Kandahar Airfield, the main coalition base, and described as having "non-life-threatening injuries."
Lewis indicated the scale of the attack was small, involving between two and five well-armed insurgents.
The casualties were probably caused by mortars or rocket-propelled grenades, he said. "The injuries right now, there don't seem to be any sort of bullets involved."
As the attack happened shortly before dark, further investigation into the attack will have to wait until today, he said.
"In this particular case, we were clearing an area to put in a road that would have allowed the economy to flow north and south through the Panjwaii area," Lewis said. "We've got to remain vigilant to the Taliban re-infiltrating into the area."
The attack prompted a quick response.
"Almost immediately other forces responded to it, treated and medevaced the casualties, and carried on with the operation," said Lt.-Col. Omer Lavoie, the ground-level commander of Canada's fighting force.
Two U.S. soldiers also were wounded nearby. It was not clear whether they were hit by the same group of insurgents or in a separate ambush.
The fighting comes a month after the launch of Operation Medusa, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation led by Canadian troops that officials boasted killed hundreds of Taliban. North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Canadian officials said they had driven insurgents out of the area west of Kandahar city and had done serious damage to the ability of the insurgents to mount attacks.
Lavoie said the latest attacks are a shift back to familiar insurgent tactics after the Taliban were devastated in a more conventional fight.
"They've learned they can't take us on head-to-head in a conventional battle, so they're going back to typical insurgent tactics, (roadside bombs) and hit-and-run tactics," Lavoie said.
The fatal attack was the last in a series aimed at Canadians yesterday. The earlier attacks injured no Canadians.
Charles Company soldiers were first to come under fire in the morning as they pushed along the Arghandab River, a few kilometres west of where the deadly attack came hours later.
Insurgents fired mortars, rockets and automatic weapons at Seven Platoon of Charles Company, the unit hit by a deadly ambush September 3.
The soldiers and their Afghan army counterparts returned fire and emerged unscathed.
Closer to Kandahar and a few hours later, a suicide bomber on a motorcycle attacked a Canadian convoy, setting a G-wagon jeep aflame.
The suicide bomber died; no one else was injured.
Local civilians and soldiers have said the Taliban have slipped back into the area.
"The Taliban has threatened (civilians) with their lives from any kind of association with the coalition," said Maj. Steve Brown, commander of Charles Company.
"They've gone back to the tactic that has consistently worked for them, that is to infiltrate and conduct guerrilla-type operations. Now they're back at it, threatening people and their property."
The insurgents have learned to exploit Canadian rules of engagement to escape attack, Macfarlane said.
Those rules can't be disclosed under the embedding agreement that lets journalists travel with Canadian soldiers.
"They're smart. I wouldn't say I respect them, but they've learned to play to our weaknesses," Macfarlane said.
Canadian soldier Pte. Josh KLUKIE died last week in a mine explosion on a road the Canadians have cut through fields to avoid such attacks.
KLUKIE's remains arrived home in Canada aboard a military jet last night.

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GILLAM o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-10-04 published
2 Canadians killed in Taliban ambush
By Jane ARMSTRONG, Page A1
Kandahar, Afghanistan -- Two Canadian soldiers were killed and five others injured in a fierce mortar ambush in Afghanistan's turbulent Panjwai region, an area where Canadian commanders have boasted of decisive victories over Taliban insurgents.
The besieged troops were providing surveillance for a road-building crew not far from where Private Josh KLUKIE was killed last week in a mine explosion. It is the same region where Canadian soldiers led a massive assault a month ago, killing -- according to a North Atlantic Treaty Organization claim -- more than 1,000 Taliban and routing others.
Military officials declared that operation a huge success, estimating that they may have destroyed as much as a third of the insurgency's hard-core ranks.
Yet the death toll of Canadians in southern Afghanistan continues to climb. In September alone, 10 soldiers were killed, the bloodiest month yet for Canadian troops in Afghanistan. Now October is off to an ominous start.
Killed in yesterday's twilight attack were Corporal Robert Thomas James MITCHELL and Sergeant Craig Paul GILLAM, both of the Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa, Ontario
The fatal ambush was one of three separate attacks on Canadian troops over a five-hour period.
Just after noon, members of the Royal Canadian Regiment's Charles Company came under fire as they walked along the parched Arghandab River bed, about 10 kilometres from the scene of the subsequent fatal attack. There were no Canadian injuries reported.
A local witness said the Canadian troops returned fire, sending the assailants into retreat. A few minutes later, an aircraft bombed the ambush scene.
"We fought on two fronts today," said a young Taliban fighter in Panjwai District, where most of Canada's battle groups are now deployed. "But we escaped from the area, to avoid the bombings. This will be our method now," he said from his mobile phone.
Earlier, a suicide bomber on a motorcycle rammed a convoy of Canadian supply vehicles returning to the Kandahar Airfield from an operating base west of Kandahar city. The explosion ignited the diesel-fuelled jeep, wounding three Afghan civilians, including an 11-year-old boy.
The soldiers inside the jeep, also known as a G-Wagon, escaped without injury.
The suicide blast sent glass fragments flying into Mohammed Salim's storefront, cutting his head and leaving his shirt stained with blood.
The explosion also seriously injured his younger brother, Mohammed Hasham, 11, who was recovering last night at Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar.
"We were working in the shop, when a motorcycle came with a trolley behind it," Mr. Salim, 18, said. "Smoke, dust, everything went everywhere."
The five soldiers injured in the worst attack yesterday were flown to a hospital at the Kandahar Airfield, the coalition's main base. A military spokesman said their injuries are not life-threatening, although one soldier suffered broken bones.
These latest attacks cast doubt on the effectiveness of the recent Canadian-led offensive, code-named Operation Medusa, in the Panjwai District southwest of Kandahar city.
Just two weeks ago, Kandahar's governor announced that Canadian soldiers had routed the Taliban from the area.
The offensive was designed to encircle the insurgents in the area, but soldiers are still hunting for the insurgents' underground weapons caches, where many fighters are believed to have stowed guns and ammunition before fleeing the battlefield.
Governor Asadullah Khalid said foreign troops intend to stay in Panjwai and the neighbouring Zhari District to maintain security. Road construction is a key part of Operation Medusa's final stage, which is to reconstruct the battle-scarred region.
Early this morning, Colonel Fred Lewis, the deputy commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's International Security Assistance Force, said Operation Medusa is "far from over."
His voice shaking with emotion as he read the names of the dead soldiers, Col. Lewis said the insurgents are staging a last-ditch attempt "to save face."
"They are attempting to win this final phase of [Operation Medusa]," he said.
"If we are able to do the reconstruction and development and the Afghans, the local people in that Panjwai area, say 'Hey, we will have a much better life under our own government'… they will go out of their way to keep the Taliban out."

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GILLAM o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-10-09 published
'Fluke' kills 40th Canadian
By Jane ARMSTRONG and Dawn WALTON with reports from Gloria Galloway and Canadian Press, Page A10
Canada's latest casualty in Afghanistan is being blamed on a "lucky" enemy that planted a roadside bomb that struck an armoured vehicle over the weekend and, in an apparent "fluke," killed one occupant.
Trooper Mark Andrew WILSON, who was with the Royal Canadian Dragoons based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario, died Saturday while on an early morning patrol. He is the 40th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2002.
He was a married father of two who hailed from London, Ontario
"There is no doubt that Trooper WILSON represented the best of our military and our country," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said yesterday in a statement. "His family and Friends can be proud of the fact that this courageous Canadian sacrificed his life for a greater cause."
Trooper WILSON was a gunner riding in a Nyala (RG-31) armoured vehicle that was preparing to retrieve a group of soldiers who had spent the previous night securing an area in the Panjwai district, known for insurgent attacks.
The improvised explosive device was set off on a roadway less than one kilometre from where Sergeant Craig GILLAM and Corporal Robert MITCHELL, also of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, were ambushed last week. Both died while they were guarding a road-building crew.
"Today we are all mourning the loss of a brother in arms and a good soldier," Colonel Fred Lewis, deputy commander of Canada's Task Force in Afghanistan, told reporters.
The Nyala (RG-31) is specifically designed to protect its occupants from explosions caused by roadside bombs.
"In this particular case, I think the enemy got a bit lucky," Col. Lewis said.
"This is the first time something like this has happened. Is it a fluke? Perhaps. It doesn't happen very often. The troops have superb confidence in this vehicle."
He described the vehicle as providing good protection for Canadian troops, but added that the enemy is also perfectly capable of building bigger bombs.
Yesterday, federal Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor echoed those sentiments. Nothing, he said, is bulletproof.
"We don't know why one soldier was killed in this vehicle. Nobody else was injured. So there is something peculiar about that vehicle or the explosive and we have to find out what it is," Mr. O'Connor said.
"They are built to deal with mines but sometimes the Taliban put four anti-tank mines together. That is a terrific blast. So somehow they were lucky and we were unlucky and one of our soldiers got killed," he said.
But at a time when Canadians far away from a war zone were celebrating Thanksgiving, the latest death hit home hard. Dozens of Canadians used the holiday to write morale-boosting missives to Canada's troops through a Department of National Defence website.

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GILLAM o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-10-12 published
GILLAM, Sgt. Craig Paul (April 20, 1966-October 3, 2006)
It is with great sadness and loss that the family of Craig Paul GILLAM announce his sudden passing on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at the age of 40. Craig will be forever remembered in the hearts of his wife Maureen, his son Stephen, daughter Gale, his parents Agnes and Graham Bishop, sisters Lisa (Trevor, and children Brianna, Brandon, Robert, Megan and Mollie), Cindy (Pat and daughters Samantha and Holly) and Janet (Chris). He will be greatly missed by his mother and father-in-law Cecilia and Pius GALE, along with sisters-in-law Jenny (Tony, son Tyler), Kathleen (Jim, son Alexander) and Margie (Todd, daughters Megan and Alexandra). Survived by his grandmother, Mary BISHOP and predeceased by his grandparents Frederick BISHOP and Mary and Emmanuel GILLAM. Much loved nephew of Mary, Rita and Joe GILLAM as well as many other aunts, uncles, cousins and Friends. Craig served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. Craig is remembered as a respected leader, a loving husband, father, son and brother, and to those who knew him he was someone who was selfless with his time to help anyone in anyway needed. He will be greatly missed by all. The funeral service in memory of Craig will be held at St. Sylvester's Church, South Branch, Newfoundland on Saturday October 14th at 1: 00 p.m. Father Lee Lainey officiating, followed by the interment at the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at St. Sylvester's Church in South Branch Thursday and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with a Rosary being held Thursday beginning at 7: 30 p.m. and the wake service Friday at 7:30 p.m. As expressions of sympathy donations may be made to a charity of ones choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fillatre's Funeral Home, Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland. The family guest book may be signed by visiting our website www.fillatre.ca

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GILLAM o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-10-04 published
2 Canadians killed, 5 hurt in Taliban ambush
District outside Kandahar thought free of insurgents
Troops attacked while clearing area to put in new road
By Les PERREAUX, Canadian Press
Sperwan, Afghanistan -- Emboldened insurgents killed two Canadian soldiers and wounded five others yesterday in an attack on ground the Canadians took from the Taliban just weeks ago.
The small group of soldiers were providing security for road construction and holding an observation post in the former Taliban heartland about 20 kilometres west of Kandahar city when they came under attack around 4: 50 p.m. from a handful of insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles.
Canadian military officials identified the dead as Sgt. Craig Paul GILLAM and Cpl. Robert Thomas James MITCHELL, both members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons based in Petawawa, Ontario
"They were members of the surveillance troop… a reconnaissance squadron," Col. Fred Lewis, deputy commander of the Canadian contingent, said in Kandahar. "They were conducting vehicle checkpoints and observation posts at the time."
MITCHELL "was dedicated to his family and dedicated to his military career," said his father-in-law Gary HASS of Fort Erie, Ontario
A graduate of Niagara College, MITCHELL spent part of his youth in Owen Sound, where his parents still live.
MITCHELL and his family had moved into a new home not far from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa just days before he was sent overseas.
While her husband was away, wife Leanne was raising their three young children, ages 5, 3 and 2, and studying to become a police officer.
With the latest toll, 39 Canadian soldiers and a diplomat have now been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
Two of the wounded soldiers were reported in serious but stable condition. All the wounded were evacuated to Kandahar Airfield, the main coalition base, and described as having "non-life-threatening injuries."
Lewis indicated the scale of the attack was small, involving between two and five well-armed insurgents.
The casualties were probably caused by mortars or rocket-propelled grenades, he said.
"In this particular case, we were clearing an area to put in a road that would have allowed the economy to flow north and south through the Panjwaii area," Lewis said. "We've got to remain vigilant to the Taliban reinfiltrating into the area."
The attack prompted a quick response.
"Almost immediately other forces responded to it, treated and medevaced the casualties, and carried on with the operation," said Lt.-Col. Omer Lavoie, the ground-level commander of Canada's fighting force.
Two U.S. soldiers were also wounded nearby. It was not clear whether they were hit by the same group of insurgents or a separate ambush.
The fighting comes exactly one month after the launch of Operation Medusa, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation led by Canadian troops that officials boasted killed hundreds of Taliban.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Canadian officials said they had driven insurgents out of the area and had done serious damage to the ability of the insurgents to mount attacks.
Lavoie said the latest attacks are a shift back to familiar insurgent tactics after the Taliban were devastated in a more conventional fight.
"They've learned they can't take us on head-to-head in a conventional battle, so they're going back to typical insurgent tactics, (roadside bombs) and hit-and-run tactics," Lavoie said.
The fatal attack was the last in a series aimed at Canadians yesterday. The earlier attacks caused no Canadian casualties.
Soldiers of Charlie Company were the first to come under fire in the morning as they pushed along the Arghandab River, a few kilometres west of the deadly attack that would come hours later.
Insurgents fired mortars, rockets and automatic weapons at Seven Platoon of Charlie Company, the unit that was hit with a deadly ambush September 3.
The soldiers and their Afghan army counterparts returned fire and emerged unscathed.
Closer to Kandahar city a few hours later, a suicide bomber on a motorcycle attacked a Canadian convoy, setting a G-wagon jeep aflame. The suicide bomber died; no one else was injured.
Local civilians and soldiers have said Taliban have quietly seeped back into the area.

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GILLAN o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-02-05 published
SCOTT,, James▼ " Jim▼" D.▼
Peacefully at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital on Saturday, February▼ 4th, 2006, James (Jim) D. SCOTT of Mt. Brydges in his 89th year. Predeceased by his wife Freda (HILLMAN) (1973.) Dear father of Rae (Opal) SCOTT of Mt. Brydges. Dear grandfather of Michael (Donna) SCOTT of Strathroy, Bonnie GILLAN (Rob▼ GERHOLD) of Strathroy, Michelle (Jeff) DIGMAN of Font Hill. Great-grandfather of Megan and Luke, Scott; Jeremy, Matthew and Stephanie GILLAN Hollie GERHOLD; Sydney▼ and Madeline DIGMAN. Remembered by sisters Jean NISBET and Mae DOUGLAS/DOUGLASS and predeceased by sisters Kathleen KING and Marie MONTEITH. Friends▼ may call at the Elliott-Madill Funeral Home, Mt. Brydges on Monday February 6th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. An Oddfellows Service under the direction of Branch 367 will be held on Monday evening at 6: 30 p.m. Funeral Service to follow on Tuesday from the funeral home commencing at 11 a.m. with Bob and Thelma PERRY officiating. Interment Mt. Brydges Cemetery. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of ones choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

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GILLAN o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-04-04 published
POPE, Harriett▼ (née PEYTON)
At Victoria Hospital, London on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at the age of 98 years. Formerly of Botwood, Newfoundland. Beloved wife of the late William POPE (1989.) Beloved mother of Marion LAVOIE of Brantford, David POPE (Barbara▼) of Burlington, Margaret BEAMISH (Frank▼) of Grand Bend, Muriel MacDONNELL (Stan▼) of Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Barbara GILLAN (Robert) of London, Randolph POPE of Mississauga, Ella KNIGHT of Bradford, and Dorothy BALL of Markham. She is predeceased by her son William of Hespler and daughters Vera of Brantford and Lorraine and Alma. Harriett is survived by her 32 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at the Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre, 88 Brant Avenue, Brantford, 519-752-4331 on Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the Chapel on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Interment to follow, Mt. Hope Cemetery. Donations may be made in Harriett's memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice. A tree will be planted in memory of Harriett in the Beckett-Glaves Memorial Forest, www.beckettglaves.com

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GILLAN o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-06-05 published
MIFSUD, Antonia▼ " Nina" (née STRAFRACE)
Peacefully at Middlesex Terrace Nursing Home on June 2, 2006, Antonia (Nina) MIFSUD (née STRAFRACE) in her 92nd year. Beloved wife of Anthony MIFSUD. Loving mother of Frank MIFSUD (Marlene,) Joyce D'AGOSTINO (Maurice), Lily DEFELICE (Tony), Vincent MIFSUD, David MIFSUD (Alicia) and Stephen MIFSUD. She will be sadly missed by grandchildren Jacqueline WILSON (Vince), Frank J. MIFSUD (Tam), Paul MIFSUD (Jennifer,) Ruth LAIRD (Rod SHORE,) Susan VAN DYKE (Troy,) Denise D'AGOSTINO, Kimberly BUGEJA- SCHNEIDER (Steve,) Jason DEFELICE (Anna), Natalie LINGIER (Jeff), Noël MIFSUD, step grandchildren Danny ELLINGHAM (Connie) and David ELLINGHAM (Toni) as well as niece Josephine GILLAN (Mike,) 16 great-grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren. Survived by brother Joe STRAFRACE (Francis) of Malta, sister Mary PAMPANELLA of Australia and sister-in-law Josephine STRAFRACE of Australia. Predeceased by her parents Francis and Josephine STRAFRACE, daughter Margaret MIFSUD, brothers Croce STRAFRACE, Domenic STRAFRACE, John STRAFRACE and Vincent STRAFRACE, daughter-in-law Doris MIFSUD and grand_son-in-law Bill LAIRD. Visitation will be held in the Needham Funeral Chapel (520 Dundas Street, London) on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with prayers to be held at 7: 30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be conducted at Saint Mary's Church (345 Lyle Avenue) on Wednesday, June 7th at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Saint Peter's Cemetery. In memory of Nina contributions to the Canadian Diabetes Association would be greatly appreciated.

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GILLAN o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-06-17 published
PEARSON, Vernon Lamont
Age 76, of Stratford passed away at his residence on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Born in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, he was a son of the late Vernon Lamont and Irene (CROWE) PEARSON. Vernon was in the funeral service profession for over 46 years, the last 33 years with Heinbuck Funeral Home in Stratford until retiring in 1994. He was an avid gardener and reader and in his prime, enjoyed the outdoors, biking and camping. He will be remembered for his steadfast love for his wife and family. Beloved husband for over 55 years of Helen (GILLAN) PEARSON. Dear father of Judith Dawn PEARSON of Goose Bay, Labrador, Brian Craig PEARSON and wife Cathy of Stratford and Laura Christine PEARSON of London. Dear grandfather of Amber, Tonya, Rachelle, Dhana and Jorah. Also survived by sister-in-law Betty ROSS of Brantford and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by one sister Elizabeth (Betty) EAVES and her husband Norman and a brother-in-law Ian ROSS. Visitation was held at the Heinbuck Funeral Home, 156 Albert Street, Stratford on Friday where the funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 2 p.m. Cremation will follow with interment in Avondale Cemetery, Stratford. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Stratford Hospital Foundation, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Perth County Branch or a charity of one's choice through the funeral home. (519) 271-5062

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GILLAN o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-10-07 published
MIFSUD, Anthony▲
Peacefully at Middlesex Terrace Nursing Home on Thursday, October 5th, 2006, Mr. Anthony MIFSUD, in his 94th year. Beloved husband of the late Antonia MIFSUD (née STAFRACE) (2006.) Loving father of Frank (Marlene) MIFSUD, Joyce (Maurice) D'AGOSTINO. Lily (Tony) DEFELICE, Vincent MIFSUD, David (Alicia) MIFSUD, and Stephen MIFSUD. Dear grandfather of Jacqueline (Vince) WILSON, Frank J. MIFSUD, Paul (Jennifer) MIFSUD, Ruth (Rod SHORE) LAIRD, Susan (Troy) VAN DYKE, Denise D'AGOSTINO, Kimberly (Steve) BUGEJA- SCHNEIDER, Jason (Anna) DEFELICE, Natalie (Jeff) LINGIER, and Noël MIFSUD. Also survived by step grandchildren Danny (Connie) ELLINGHAM, David (Toni) ELLINGHAM, niece Josephine (Mike) GILLAN, 16 great-grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren, his brothers Charles MIFSUD, John MIFSUD, sister Jane (née MIFSUD) BORG. Predeceased by his parents Vincent and Maryanne (née GATT) MIFSUD, his brothers Joe MIFSUD, Emmanuel MIFSUD, and sisters Mary BALZAN (née MIFSUD), Esther FARRUGIA (née MIFSUD) and Elizabeth SCHEMBRI (née MIFSUD.) Friends may call at the Needham Funeral Chapel, 520 Dundas Street, London (519-434-9141) on Monday October 9th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Prayers at 8 p.m. Funeral Mass from Saint Mary's Church, 345 Lyle Ave. on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Interment Saint Peter's Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated. Tributes may be left at www.mem.com

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GILLAN o@ca.on.middlesex_county.strathroy.age_dispatch 2006-02-07 published
SCOTT, James▲ " Jim▲" D.▲
Peacefully at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, on Saturday, February▲ 4, 2006, James (Jim) D. SCOTT of Mt. Brydges in his 89th year. Predeceased by his wife Freda (GILLMAN) (1973.) Dear father of Rae (Opal) SCOTT of Mt. Brydges. Dear grandfather of Michael (Donna) SCOTT of Strathroy, Bonnie GILLAN (Rob▲ GERHOLD) of Strathroy, Michelle (Jeff) DIGMAN of Font Hill. Great-grandfather of Megan and Luke SCOTT; Jeremy, Matthew and Stephanie GILLAN Hollie GERHOLD; Sydney▲ and Madeline DIGMAN. Remembered by sisters Jean NISBET and Mae DOUGLAS/DOUGLASS and predeceased by sisters Kathleen KING and Marie MONTEITH. Friends▲ called at the Elliott-Madill Funeral Home, Mt. Brydges, on Monday, February 6, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. An Odd Fellows service, under the direction of Branch 367 was held Monday evening at 6: 30 p.m. Funeral service followed on Tuesday from the funeral home, commencing at 11 a.m. with Bob and Thelma PERRY officiating. Interment Mt. Brydges Cemetery. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of ones choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

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GILLAN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-05-01 published
THOMPSON/THOMSON/TOMPSON/TOMSON, Doctor John A. "Jack", M.D.C.M. (Queen's 1941)
Passed away peacefully at his home in Ottawa with family by his side on Thursday, April 27th, 2006, age 91 years. Beloved husband of Evelyn, much loved father of Susan DEWAR (Rod) of Montreal, Nancy THOMPSON/THOMSON/TOMPSON/TOMSON, Carol BRIDAL (Michael) and John (Susan SOLLARS,) all of Ottawa. Proud grandfather of Anthony DEWAR, Jordan, Jamieson and Alexander BRIDAL, Maggie and Bronwyn THOMPSON/THOMSON/TOMPSON/TOMSON. Also survived by his sister Louise SLOAN of Toronto and niece Dianne GILLAN and nephew David SLOAN, both of Toronto. Jack began his medical career as a Medical Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force, 1942-1946. He practiced family medicine in Ottawa for 40 years and was a long standing member and elder at St. Giles Presbyterian Church. Friends may visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair and McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa on Monday 6 to 9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at St. Giles Presbyterian Church, 174 First Avenue (corner of Bank and First), Ottawa on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006 at 1 p.m. Reception afterwards at the Church. Many thanks to Doctor Jeff MALOLEY, caregiver Anna BAUER and the Victorian Order of Nurses. If you wish, donations in memory of Doctor THOMPSON/THOMSON/TOMPSON/TOMSON to the Victorian Order of Nurses or St. Giles Presbyterian Church, 174 First Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2G4.

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GILLAN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-04-04 published
POPE, Harriett▲ (née PEYTON)
At Victoria Hospital, London on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at the age of 98 years. Formerly of Botwood, Newfoundland. Beloved wife of the late William POPE (1989.) Beloved mother of Marion LAVOIE of Brantford, David POPE (Barbara▲) of Burlington, Margaret BEAMISH (Frank▲) of Grand Bend, Muriel MacDONNELL (Stan▲) or Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Barbara GILLAN (Robert) of London. Randolph POPE of Mississauga, Ella KNIGHT of Bradford and Dorothy BALL of Markham. She is predeceased by her son William of Hespler and daughters Vera of Brantford and Lorraine and Alma. Harriett is survived by her 32 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren. Friends will be recieved at the Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre, 88 Brant Avenue, Brantford, 519-752-4331 on Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held In the Chapel on Wednesday at 1 p.m. lnterment to follow Mt. Hope Cemetery. Donations may be made in Hariette's memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice. A tree will be planted in memory of Harriett in the Beckett-Glaves Memorial Forest. www.beckettglaves.com

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GILLANDERS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-06-06 published
RICHARDS, William Lippincott, M.D., (F.R.C.P.C)
Peacefully at home with family, on Monday, May 29, aged 85. Survived by his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Ellen Jean (née GILLANDERS,) and children, Kathleen, J. Gordon and wife Vij, and Lee (Andrew) and wife Laurie, and granddaughter Megan. Loving brother of the late Doctor Frederick H. of Pennsylvania and of Elizabeth of Tucson, Arizona, and Annette PARENT of Silver City, New Mexico, and many nieces and nephews. Born on January 26, 1921, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Practised internal medicine (cardiology) at South Peel Hospital (later Mississauga and now Trillium Health Centre) for more than 40 years. Warm thanks to the Community Care Access Centre of Peel and the Hospice of Peel and the staff of ProHome Health and Spectrum Health and family members and Friends for their warm support during a difficult year. A memorial service to be held at Clarkson Road Presbyterian Church, 1338 Clarkson Road N., Mississauga L5J 2W5, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2006. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society and Clarkson Road Presbyterian Church would be appreciated.

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GILLARD o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2006-11-08 published
NORTH, Orval▼ M.▼
Peacefully at the Grey Bruce Health Service in Owen Sound on Monday,▼ November▼ 6, 2006. In his 69th year, Orval M. NORTH, the loving husband of Cathy NORTH (née USHER,) and his wife June▼ (née ROBINSON.) Loving▼ father of Peggy and her husband Scott MILLAR, Susan▼ and her husband Mark SSAINTERRE, Darren WARREN, and Craig WARREN and Genevieve GILLARD. Loving▼ grandfather of Rachael SSAINTERRE, Melissa PRIEBE and Scott HUDSON, Andrew PRIEBE and Nicole WHIBLEY. Great-grandfather of Gillian. Dear brother of Verna (Mrs. Keith PLAYFORD.) Fondly▼ remembered by his brothers and sisters-in-law and their families. Friends may call at the Breckenridge-Ashcroft Funeral Home on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday Morning at 11 a.m. Doctor Brad CLARK officiating. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Georgian Bluffs. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to either the Kidney Foundation or to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.

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GILLARD o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2006-11-10 published
NORTH, Orval▲ M.▲
Peacefully at the Grey Bruce Health Service in Owen Sound on Monday,▲ November▲ 6, 2006. In his 69th year, Orval M. NORTH, the loving husband of Cathy NORTH (née USHER,) and his wife June▲ (née ROBINSON.) Loving▲ father of Peggy and her husband Scott MILLAR, Susan▲ and her husband Mark SSAINTERRE, Darren WARREN, and Craig WARREN and Genevieve GILLARD. Loving▲ grandfather of Rachael SSAINTERRE, Melissa PRIEBE and Scott HUDSON, Andrew PRIEBE and Nicole WHIBLEY and Gillian WARREN. Dear brother of Verna (Mrs. Keith PLAYFORD.) Fondly▲ remembered by his brothers and sisters-in-law and their families. Friends may call at the Breckenridge-Ashcroft Funeral Home on Thursday 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday Morning at 11 a.m. Doctor Brad CLARK officiating. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Georgian Bluffs. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to either the Kidney Foundation or to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.
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GILLARD o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-05-08 published
GILLARD, Edgar▼ " Ed▼" Francis▼
Peacefully at Parkwood Hospital on May 5, 2006, Edgar (Ed) Francis GILLARD of London (formally of Saint_Johns, Newfoundland,) in his 84th year. Beloved husband of Thelma GILLARD. Loving▼ father of Donna WOODLEY (Raymond), Derrick GILLARD (Anne) and Heather WRIGHT. Dear grandfather of Cindy CATTRYSSE (John,) Michelle WOODLEY, Joel GILLARD, Leah GILLARD, Angela WRIGHT and Christopher WRIGHT and great grand_sons Kyle CATTRYSSE and Hunter CASSIDY- WRIGHT. Predeceased by brothers William (Bill), Hugh and Stanley and granddaughter Amanda WOODLEY. A special thank you to the staff on 5B South at Parkwood Hospital. Visitation will be held in the Needham Funeral Chapel (520 Dundas Street, London) on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. where the funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, May 10th, 2006 at 1 p.m. Cremation to follow. In memory of Ed GILLARD, contributions to the Poppy Fund would be greatly appreciated. A legion service will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. under the auspices of the Victory Branch. Tributes may be made at www.mem.com.

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GILLARD o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-05-09 published
GILLARD, Edgar▲▼ " Ed▲" Francis▲
Peacefully at Parkwood Hospital on May 5, 2006, Edgar (Ed) Francis GILLARD of London (formerly of Saint_John's, Newfoundland,) in his 84th year. Beloved husband of Thelma GILLARD. Loving▲ father of Donna WOODLEY (Raymond,) Derrick GILLARD (Anne) and Heather WRIGHT. Dear grandfather of Cindy CATTRYSSE (John,) Michelle WOODLEY, Joel GILLARD, Leah GILLARD, Angela WRIGHT and Christopher WRIGHT and great grand_sons Kyle CATTRYSSE and Hunter CASSIDY- WRIGHT. Predeceased by brothers William (Bill), Hugh and Stanley and granddaughter Amanda WOODLEY. A special thank you to the staff on 5B South at Parkwood Hospital. Visitation will be held in the Needham Funeral Chapel (520 Dundas Street, London) on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. where the funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, May 10th, 2006 at 1 p.m. Cremation to follow. In memory of Ed GILLARD, contributions to the Poppy Fund would be greatly appreciated. A legion service will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. under the auspices of the Victory Branch. Tributes may be made at www.mem.com.

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GILLARD o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-06-09 published
GILLARD, Edgar▲
The family of the late Edgar GILLARD wish to express our heartfelt thanks for the compassion and sympathy shown to us in the recent loss of our dear husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of 5B South at Parkwood Hospital for their excellent care, Needham Funeral Home for their services, Rev. Charlie SCOTT for his beautiful and touching service, the Royal Canadian Legion -- Victory Branch #317 for holding the reception following the funeral service, and to all those who called at the funeral home, sent flowers, made memorial donations and offered other expressions of sympathy.

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GILLARD o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-10-07 published
FOSTER, Isabel (née DEPUYDT)
Peacefully, after a courageous battle with cancer at Parkwood Hospital, London on Thursday, October 5, 2006 Isabel FOSTER (nee DEPUYDT) of R.R.#2, Belmont in her 65th year. Beloved wife of Michael. Loving mother of Scott (wife Tracey) of London and Paula FOSTER- REED (husband Michael) of Kingston. Fondly remembered by her grandchildren David, Sammy, Christian; Evan, Sean and Isabella. Dear sister of Jean GILLARD of Duart, Patsy AMENDT (husband Marvin) of Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, Jim DEPUYDT (wife Mary) of Chatham area and predeceased by her brother George. Sadly missed by her sister-in-law Marion DEPUYDT of Muirkirk. Much loved by her in-laws Kay and Dick FOSTER, Fred and Clara FOSTER, Helen and Harvey MURRAY, Beatrice GLOVER and Ruth HAY. Friends will be received at the Bieman Funeral Home, Dorchester on Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A complete funeral service will be held at Belmont United Church on Monday, October 9, 2006 at 11: 00 a.m. Interment at Dorchester Union Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Victorian Order of Nurses Program or London Regional Cancer gratefully acknowledged.

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GILLARD o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-10-31 published
PORTER, Howard Leroy
Suddenly, in Strathroy on Saturday, October 28, 2006, Howard L. PORTER of Glencoe in his 70th year. Beloved husband of Pamela PORTER (GILLARD) of Twillygate, Newfoundland. Predeceased by parents George and Lavina (HATT) PORTER, and daughter Michelle Lynn PORTER. Survived by his children Gary and Heather, Mike and Karen, Kevin, Patrick and Charlotte, Patricia, and Carl. Also survived by 10 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Also predeceased by brothers Clements PORTER, Robert PORTER and sister Ola SEAMAN, all of Saint John, New Brunswick. Resting at M. Box and son Funeral Home, 183 Broad Street, Parkhill where the funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, November 1st, 2006 at 11: 00 a.m. Rev. James REVIE will officiate. Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, October 31st. Cremation to follow. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Canadian Diabetes Foundation would be appreciated. Share a memory or send condolences to www.boxfuneralhome.ca M. Box and son Funeral Home will plant a tree in living memory of Mr. PORTER.

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GILLARD o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-11-08 published
LAWTON, Hattie E. (née LALE)
Formerly of R.R.#4, Saint Thomas, passed away peacefully at the Saint Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, following a courageous battle with cancer, in her 86th year. Beloved wife of the late Harry E. LAWTON (Dec. 24, 1974.) Loving mother of Donald and his wife Bev, Alex and his wife Joan, and Marlene SMITH and her husband Ken, all of R.R.#4, Saint Thomas. Loving grandmother of Sherry (Rob) JOHNSTONE, Saint Thomas, Kevin (Kelly) SMITH, R.R.#4, Saint Thomas, Scott (Carol) SMITH, Port Stanley, Debbie (Jim) Vance, R.R.#4, Saint Thomas, Donnie (Diane) LAWTON, Saint Thomas, Randi LAWTON, London, and Ryan (Tara) LAWTON, R.R.#4, Saint Thomas. Sadly missed by ten great-grandchildren, Sheryl and Steven JOHNSTONE, Brittany, Heather and Marley VANCE, Courtney, Sam and Kyle LAWTON, Cameron and Allison LAWTON. Sister-in-law of Charles and Berna LAWTON and Marion and Harry GILLARD, all of R.R.#4, Saint Thomas. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Roy and Edith (COLE) LALE, and brother Harry LALE. Born in (south) Yarmouth Twp., Ontario, March 29, 1921, she farmed with her husband on the Sparta Line for 65 years. Hattie was a member of Union United Church, where she sang in the choir for a number of years and was a life member of the United Church Women She was a volunteer with the Ladies Auxiliary of Extendicare, Port Stanley and a past secretary of the Union-South Yarmouth Seniors Club. Hattie was well recognized for her famous prize winning quilts since 1974. She was honoured with a community tribute in 1994 for bringing fame and glory to the community. She was named the Provincial Grand Champion Quilter of Ontario in 1980, 1989, and 1993. These award winning quilts now hang in the Ontario Agricultural Museum in Milton. In 1993, the Aylmer Fair Board honoured her with a Hattie Lawton Day at the fair. Each member of her family have one her beautiful quilts to cherish. In 1997, she was the recipient of a service award from the Canadian Cancer Society for her 30 years of dedication. Friends will be received at the Sifton Funeral Home, 118 Wellington Street, Saint Thomas on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Union United Church on Friday at 1: 30 p.m. Interment in Union Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Saint Thomas-Elgin General Hospital Foundation (Palliative Care) or Union United Church gratefully acknowledged.

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GILLARD o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-06-06 published
STOCK, Mary Joan
Peacefully at home after a difficult illness on Saturday, June 3, 2006. Daughter of the late Wilfrid STOCK and Mary Agnes McGRATH. Mary was born October 27, 1926 in Mimico, Ontario. She is survived by her sisters Teresa (Harry) GILLARD and Patricia (late George) BAYLISS. She was predeceased by brothers J. Edward STOCK (late Marie) and Wilfrid (Bud) STOCK and sister Elizabeth GALLAGHER. Also survived by sister-in-law Elizabeth (Liz) STOCK and brother-in-law John GALLAGHER. Loving aunt to 13 nieces and nephews, 15 great-nieces and nephews and 4 great-great-nieces and nephews. Mary is resting at the funeral home of Skinner and Middlebrook Ltd., 128 Lakeshore Rd. E. (1 block west of Hurontario St.) Mississauga (Parking off Ann St.) on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Christopher's Catholic Church, 1171 Clarkson Rd. N., Mississauga on Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 10: 00 a.m. Interment Assumption Cemetery, Mississauga, Ontario.

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GILLARD o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-01-28 published
GILLARD, Reta
Passed away at home on Thursday, January 26, 2006 at the age of 83. Loving wife of Bert. Dear mother of Lori, Nancy and Shirley. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Jennifer, Megan, Arin and great-grandchildren Joshua, Jessa and Jaiden. Family and Friends will gather on Monday, January 30 at McDougall and Brown Funeral Home, 1812 Eglinton Avenue West (at Dufferin Street) from 6 p.m. until time of Memorial Service at 7 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation.

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GIL surnames continued to 06gil005.htm