Subject:  Overseas Forestry Unit
Date:  Sun, 15 Apr 2001 10:07:20 –0230
 From:  Nick Jeddore <njeddore@cancom.net>
 To:  cpike@cpass.net

Sir,
I found it a bit interesting scanning through your write up on the N.O.F.U. One thing I did notice there was some information short on the ship Mendoza,I could supply a little because I was one of the many Forestry Boys on that ship when she sailed.  Myself and six others left Conne on June 25th 1941 all named somewhere on this website, only my address is wrong. I am from Conne not Morrisville as stated. though there were I think four others  from Morrisville they are also named. Ralph Taylor was killed in Aviemore in a biking accident. I believe there were 35 from St.Albans more from Milltown and others from around the bay, We were under the charge of Leo Collier of St Albans, somewhere along the way we were joined by many others from down St Anthony, Nippers Harbour other places down the coast, others from Botwood,  St Georges, We all met in Montreal. The first night there was a bloody big racket teeth and blood flying everywhere but for certain reasons before the night was over we were lasting friends. Anyway after spending nine days in Montreal sleeping on iron cots with no mattress just iron springs under us we did not need anything to cover up because the heat was searing, We then joined the Mendoza on the St Lawrence River and set sail for Liverpool a nineteen days running out of drinking water just a small sip every night. We entered Liverpool among half submerged sunken ships we landed among buildings all blasted to hell from the bombing so on up to the safety of the highlands.
John N.Jeddore
Conne River,

Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 23:53:35 -0000
From: "Hester Smith" <hester_smith@btinternet.com>
To:  "Cliff Pike" <cpike@cpass.net>

Hi Clifford,
 I am finding the information on the N.O.F.U. very interesting. You are doing an excellent job.  I was looking at the page about the people who died while serving in Scotland.  I see a Wm. R. Miller who was buried in Urray.  My mother and father and myself have tended this grave  and if there is any relatives of this man I would just like them to know that his grave is being looked after. I believe he died of appendix.  I don't know how to give them this information, but maybe you can advise me how to do it.  I am not very good with computers.
 Hope to hear from you soon
 Regards
 Hester  (Fifield)

Subject: Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit Website
   Date:  Wed, 3 Jan 2001 10:35:14 -0700
   From:  WARD Tonya <Tonya.Ward@ualberta.ca>
     To:  "'cpike@cpass.net'" <cpike@cpass.net>
  Dear Mr. Pike:
I just visited your website after reading about it in The Newfoundland  Kitchen.  My grandfather Wallace William Colbourne also served in this unit and spent many years in Scotland after the war had ended, not returning to Newfoundland until 1969.  After the war had ended, my grandfather settled in the Fort William area, opening his own business (timber extraction, and saw mill).  He later became a Corp Sargent Major in the Salvation Army Church. Are you aware that many members of this unit are entitled to the Newfoundland Volunteer Services Medal?  I think this is the correct name, I can't remember and would have to look at my files.  To apply you have to be either a surviving spouse, eldest surviving child, or eldest surviving sibling.  Since I could not directly apply because I didn't meet the criteria, I had my grandfather's brother apply.  Once he received the medal he turned it over to me.  It's a very nice medal.   The medal holds a great deal of meaning for me as I never met my grandfather. If you are interested in further information on this medal to put on your website, I am willing to assist you in any way that I can.
Yours sincerely,
Tonya R. Ward (nee Colbourne)
Secretary/Receptionist
Department of Physical Therapy
2-50  Corbett Hall
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Telephone:  (780) 492-5983
Fax:           (780) 492-1626
e-mail:  tonya.ward@ualberta.ca