Robert Manuel (veteran)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" Edward Manuel Sr. (born February 21, 1935 in Stourbridge
, England
) is a Korean War Veteran best known for getting Vimy Ridge recognized as a National Heritage Day in Canada.
, Canada
. Robert was involved in the Royal Canadian Army Cadets
and by the age of 13, was Rank Captain.
After years of army training, Manuel signed up to be a Peacekeeper in the Korean War
.http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/Committee/391/ACVA/Evidence/EV2889516/ACVAEV38-E.PDF
Stourbridge
Stourbridge is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands of England. Historically part of Worcestershire, Stourbridge was a centre of glass making, and today includes the suburbs of Amblecote, Lye, Norton, Oldswinford, Pedmore, Wollaston, Wollescote and Wordsley The...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is a Korean War Veteran best known for getting Vimy Ridge recognized as a National Heritage Day in Canada.
Early life
Robert Manuel was born in the small town of Stourbridge, England, and later, immigrated to Canada where he was raised and educated in Kirkland Lake, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Robert was involved in the Royal Canadian Army Cadets
Royal Canadian Army Cadets
The Royal Canadian Army Cadets is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Army Cadet League of Canada. Administered by the Canadian Forces, the program is funded through the Department of National Defence with the civilian partner providing support in...
and by the age of 13, was Rank Captain.
After years of army training, Manuel signed up to be a Peacekeeper in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/Committee/391/ACVA/Evidence/EV2889516/ACVAEV38-E.PDF
Post-War Life
Robert went back to Canada and resided in Elliot Lake, Ontario, in the year 1956 and has lived there ever since. He met Colleen Foster, and they wed on July 28, 1956. The two had four children together-Robert, Christine, Stephen, and Terry. Bob was an underground electrician for many years and retired to do other things and give back to society.Contributions and Community Service
Bob Manuel has contributed much to society throughout his life. He was the founding member of the Elliot Lake Legion Branch 561 marching band http://www.cleonet.ca/workerphotos/iw_robert.html, where he was a drum major, though he had to eventually retire due to an ailing back. He was the Director of the Elliot Lake Chamber of Commerce, and Regional Director of the Terry Fox Foundations for 10 years. Bob has organized many organizations such as the Korean Veterans Associationhttp://www.kvacanada.com/unit_73.htm, the Navy League of Elliot Lake and most notably, the Legion Marching band. In the community of Elliot Lake, Bob has introduced the Elliot Lake Winter Fest and the annual Legion New Years Leveé and with the support of his wife Colleen, to a great extent, a number of other events in Elliot Lake.Achievements
Bob has done great, acknowledgeable things, including garnering support from people of all walks of life in getting the battle of Vimy Ridgehttp://www.manitoulin.ca/Expositor/old%20files/apr9_2003.htm recognized as a national heritage day in Canada. This day, April 9 from 2004 forward, will forever remind us of the great sacrifice and contribution Canada and her gallant soldiers made to the World. Manuel also initiated recognition of the Canadian Peace Keepers Day in Ontario which is also a nationally recognized day in Canada which falls on August 9.http://www.brentstdenis.parl.gc.ca/detail.asp?lang=e&type=med&sid=2325Current Community Service
Robert Manuel currently is the chairman at the Woodland Cemetery Memorial Pilgrimage Annual July 1 Observance. He is also an executive member in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 561, and has been for 35 years, having attained the highest award the Legion provides. He is a fund raiser for the Kidney Foundation in Elliot Lake and has started a fund raiser of his own, called Koins for Kids-Christian Children's Fund of Canada.Awards and honours
- Jaycee of the Year - 1964
- Past Presidents Metal - Royal Canadian Legion (seven terms)
- Life Member - Royal Canadian Legion
- Certificate of Merit - Canada Council
- Certificate of Merit - Terry Fox Youth Centre
- 15 Year Volunteer Service Award - Ministry of Citizenship - Ontario
- Korean Veterans Association - Merit Medal
- Legion Dominion Command - highest award - The Palm Leaf
- Friendship Awards - First Elliot Lake Scouts
- Governor General Award for Volunteers - 1992
- Canadian Peace Keeping Medal
- Elliot Lake Civic Award - 2001
- Coronation Medal - 1952
- Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal
- Ambassadors Peace Medal - Korean Government
- Ontario Bi-Centennial Medal - Province of Ontario
- Canada 125 Medal