Wall of Service
Column
12
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2
Ralston was born in 1918 in River Philip, Nova Scotia. His parents, Willard and Annie Ripley, raised eight children on the farm. Four of them are veterans of World War II.
Ralston's war service started in February, 1942, when at the age of 24 he enlisted at New Glasgow, N.S. For his basic training he "dug a ditch". He was then transferred to Kingston Unit, Ontario, where he trained as an instructor in small arms and infantry battle tactics.
He went overseas in July, 1943 via the Queen Elizabeth I. (continued as instructor at Witely and Aldershot)
Ralston was posted to 1st Canadian Ordinance Beach Detachment at Leicester (tank section). He moved to Brighton and carried out disbandment of AA Brigade (top secret).
1. back to HQs at Red Hill
2. weekend pass Saturday to Sunday evening
3. hauling stores from Midlands
4. ferrying tanks to Gosport
5. first VI's (Doodlebugs) and landings D-Day
Ralston quotes: "It was then our turn to go to Gosport and landing in France. Jobs of waterproofing and digging graves, first impression of the war zone, air war at night... break out and rush up the coast...Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels, and Mertem- move to Holland- Belgium Border"
Ralston spent the winter in Eindhoven. From Nijmegan he applied for leave to marry his sweetheart he had met in London, England. The marriage to Olive Helen Briggs took place at St. Mary Cray Anglican Church, April 19, 1945. Following the leave Ralston returned to Nijmegan and Arnhem.
The war was over, and Ralston returned to Canada after three years of service overseas. He returned home on the Queen Elizabeth with fellow troops. The ship arrived in New York on February 2, 1945.
Olive Helen Ripley (Briggs), arrived on the Aquitania with other War Brides on May 1, 1946. The couple settled on a farm in River Philip and raised three children, Eleanor, born 1947, Susan born 1950 and Mark born on Armistice Day (November 11) 1953. Ralston was at the service at the cenotaph when the birth began!
Ralston turned 90 on December 27, 2008. He is presently residing at the Veterans Wing at Hi-Crest Nursing Home in Springhill.
