February 10, 1926 - July 17, 2023
In loving memory ~
Bernie McNicholl of Chilliwack, B.C., passed peaceably at the Chilliwack General Hospital on 17 July 2023 at the age of 97.
Bernie was born on 10 February 1926 in Montreal Quebec. He grew up in Montreal, and on the completion of high school at age 16, he and his classmates headed to the recruiting centre to volunteer for war service. During WW2 he served in the RCAF 1942-1945 as a rear gunner in heavy bombers, in 192 Squadron RAF, of 100 Group - Special Duty (electronic warfare). He entered combat at age 18 and completed over 30 operations over Nazi Germany, earning the tour of operations wings. He was age 19 and a Warrant Officer 2nd Class when the war ended. He served in the Canadian Army from 1946 - 1982, first with the Royal Montreal Regiment, then in 1948 with the Royal Canadian Armour Corps (LdSH and RCD). He deployed for a year to Egypt in 1957 during the Suez Cannel crisis (UNEF1). He served in Germany during the Cold War. In the 70's and 80's he was extensively involved with the Navy League Cadets of Canada, ultimately, serving as the CO of the local Nanaimo NL and then as Commander of the NL Vancouver Island Division. Bernie was also a long-standing member of the Air Force Association of Canada (AFAC), WW2 Ex Air Gunners Association, Lord Strathcona Horse Association, and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 61 years. He served as the AFAC Collishaw Wing president in Nanaimo from 1993-1994, volunteered as the Wing's Air Cadet liaison officer and was part of an AFAC volunteer team that hiked into remote locations on Vancouver Island to place honorary cairns at different WW2 RCAF crash sites. It is believed Bernie McNicholl was the last known living WW2 veteran in the Chilliwack area. He is survived by his wife Patricia of 68 years, sons: Robert, Bernard, and Shawn (Tanya), 5 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, one step-grandson and 4 step-great-grandchildren.