March 12, 1904 - Thomas Lusted, considered to be Manitoba's first commercial baker, died near Stonewall, Manitoba.
The World War I pilot is Canada's most decorated military serviceman. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal, the Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Medal with bar, Croix de Guerre (France) and Silver Medal of Military Valour (Italy).
His final military honour was the Commonwealth's Victoria Cross which is given “For most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.” It was presented to him by King George at Buckingham Palace while he was recuperating in a London Hospital.
Barker's transition to civilian life did not go well. Like many returning soldiers, he fought depression, immobilization and constant mental and physical pain. His business venture, a charter airline with colleague Billy Bishop, went bust.
Finally settling with his wife in Southern Ontario, Barker did test flying for hire. On a routine test flight his plane nose dived into the ground at full speed.
Dauphin's airfield was renamed Lt. Col W.G. (Billy) Barker V.C. Airport in 1999. Also see Toronto remembers Billy Barker and Barker's Canadian Encyclopedia entry. (Above image: Library and Archives Canada)
March 12, 1931 - Captain Wynn Bagnall, the Bank of Montreal Employee and war veteran who was the model for the bank's two "World War I Soldier" statues, one of which is at Portage and Main, died.
March 12, 1979 – The Brandon Wheat Kings broke the WHL record for most shots on goal in a single game: 85. They beat the Regina Pats 14 to 4. (Source)
March 12, 2017 - Harvey Smith, a long-time city councillor in Winnipeg's West End, died. For more.
© 2012, 2020 Christian Cassidy
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