Drayton Legion loses last WWII veteran

It was a sombre day on Tuesday, as friends and family gathered at Heritage Funeral Home to mourn the loss of John Wallis “Wally” Perkins.

 

The World War Two veteran and former Drayton resident passed away suddenly at Lakeridge Bowmanville Hospital on Jan. 22. He was 86.

Perkins remained a loyal member of the Drayton Legion  right up until his death, despite not having lived in the village for over 27 years.

“We at Branch 416 have lost a true member and friend who gave his all,” said Rod Lambert, membership chairman at the Drayton Legion.

Lambert said Perkins, who joined the Drayton Legion when it opened in 1946, was the last WWII veteran the Legion had as a current member.

In 2004 Perkins moved to Oshawa from Kitchener, where he had lived since the early 1980s.

But Perkins always made a point to visit the Legion in Drayton as often as possible – especially on Remembrance Day.

“I’m a charter member,” Perkins told the Community News in 2005. “It means a lot [to me]. You never forget your hometown – no matter what.”

Lambert said Drayton Legion members were always thankful for the support Perkins showed the branch “even as his years progressed.”

Perkins, who grew up in Drayton, served in the army from 1941 to 1945, with tours in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

In 2005 he said he really missed Drayton during the war – particularly when he heard about his old school burning down while he was overseas – and was proud to be part of a family tradition of dedicated service to the country.

His uncle died in?WWI and his father also served in the Great War. One of his brothers also served in WWII.

As a result, Remembrance Day was always important to Perkins, who is survived by his wife Helen and many nieces and nephews.

The family received friends at the Heritage Funeral Home on Tuesday from 1pm until the funeral service at 2pm. As expressions of sympathy, the family would appreciate any charitable donations.

 

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