British Empire Medal

The British Empire Medal (post-nominals: BEM) is a British and Commonwealth award for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Harold Leonard Allen BEM
Gunner John Edward Baines BEM
Staff Sergeant. Charles John Bonser BEM
Sergeant Thomas Woodward Brand BEM
Sergeant Major Brand was orderly room Sergeant with the 3rd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, Canadian Army from 1st. January, 1941 to 22nd June, 1941. On the 22nd June, 1941 while the regiment was in convoy from Tracadie, N.B., to Debert, N.S., Sergeant Major Brand was riding in the Regimental Orderly room vehicle in advance of the column, the vehicle ran off the highway at Rexton, N.B., turned over, and rolled down a hill, and landed in a stream. Two other ranks were pinned in the vehicle by the file boxes and were in immediate danger of drowning, and both were seriously injured, one sustained a broken collar bone and the other a broken leg. Sergeant Major Brand, though seriously injured with a broken back, remained on duty and greatly assisted in removing the others who were injured until they were removed when help arrived. Sergeant Major Brand was in and out of hospital for a period of seven months, and in addition had to be left behind when the regiment proceeded to England, which was a great disappointment to him, and a severe loss to the Regiment.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Kenneth James Brown BEM
Corporal Wiliam Frederick Byrne BEM
Bombardier William Joseph Comeau BEM
Bombardier William Cox BEM
Lance Bombardier Hubert Fair BEM
Bombardier Victor Fennell BEM
Gunner Albert Reid Fielding BEM
Gunner John Taylor Forsyth BEM
Gunner Thomas Gardner BEM
During a recent heavy axis raid at night in the course of which many high explosives and incendiary bombs were dropped, Gunner Gardner who was on leave at the time, organized and led fire fighting and rescue squads several times going alone into burning buildings where no one else would venture. Although injured by falling through a roof he continued working, after his injuries had been dressed, until dawn. Gunner Gardner’s actions merits the highest praise. Throughout he displayed initiative leadership and disregard for his personal safety worthy of the the best traditions of the service.
Sergeant Athelstan Gass BEM
Gunner Edward Roy Gomm BEM
Gunner D. G. Harvard BEM
Staff Sergeant James Walter Heap BEM
Staff Sergeant Joseph Hochbaum BEM
Lance Sergeant Russell Anthony Horan BEM
Sergeant George Sumner Johnston BEM
Gunner Jack Kustra BEM
On 17 May 43, while on an Exercise, the camouflage net and tarpaulin of a vehicle of ‘B’ Troop, 70 LAA Bty RCA, loaded with ammunition, caught fire. Attempts were made to put out the fire by means of extinguishers but the flames made rapid headway and only a few boxes of ammunition were removed before it became impossible to approach the vehicle. Sensing the danger, the marginally named soldier, with complete disregard for his personal safety, jumped into the cab, started up the blazing vehicle and drove it some 200 yds to a safe place between two hills where it continued to burn and the remaining ammunition exploded with no further. Without Gnr. Kustra’s prompt action, other personnel in the vicinity would undoubtedly been injured and considerable damage to nearby WD equipment would have been caused. The GOC-in-C, First Cdn Army, has commended this act of gallantry and directed that it be recorded in this soldier’s Conduct Sheet in accordance with KR (Can) 1939, para 1518, (b) (xvi)
Bombardier Harvey Eugene Long BEM
Bombardier Long has been in charge of communications from forward observation posts and tactical headquarters of “A” Battery 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, for the past eight months. During this time this non-commissioned officer, through sound leadership, has provided at all times a reliable and efficient communications system to guns of the battery. His one aim throughout his tour of duty has been to ensure that supporting fire for infantry has never been held up by reason of faulty communications. In carrying out his duties Bombardier Long has been exposed many times to hostile shelling and mortar fire. He has led those under his command through long and tedious hours and often under dangerous circumstances, and at all times in an inspiring manner. His efforts and leadership have been in the best tradition of his corps and a credit to the brigade. He has at all times displayed a high degree of courage, ability and control under fire, and has set a fine example to all ranks of his regiment.
Warrant Officer Class 2 James Hector MacKay BEM
Gunner Jimmy Malloy BEM
Staff Sergeant Gordon Patrick McDonough BEM
Private William Carson McGowan MM BEM
In April 1941, a bad fire broke out in a two-story building at Espanola Camp. Without hesitation and notwithstanding the risk to himself, Private McGowan dragged a hose up the stairway to the second floor, directing it on the flames. The heat was so intense as the fire gained headway that he had to be ordered out of the building, but not before his clothing had been badly scorched. This soldier then proceeded up a ladder and with some assistance managed to break a hole through the roof and bring a stream to bear on the fire at this point. Due to Private McGowan’s prompt action and utter disregard for his own safety, the fire was checked and the building saved. His action is in the best tradition of the service and is deserving of recognition.
Sergeant Donald Ross McMullen BEM
Sergeant Kenneth William Metcalfe BEM
Gunner Napoleon Miclette BEM
Gunner Vincent Allan Morrison BEM
Sergeant Alfred Nelson Nickle BEM
Warrant officer Class 2 Herbert Stanley Palmer BEM
Staff Sergeant Tom Harold Proctor BEM
Sergeant Edgar Cameron Reid BEM
Sergeant Lawrence Milton Rutledge BEM
Sergeant Edward Fitzgerald Sale BEM
Staff Sergeant Leonard Harry Siddons BEM
Gunner Lawrence Smith BEM
Bombardier Edward Arthur Stebner BEM
Sergeant Dennis Eric Terry BEM