Last Post - Obituaries

Chief Warrant Officer Geoff Ellwood (Retired) 211 Rad Op WW II Veteran; Korean Conflict Veteran

87, Dartmouth, passed away in Dartmouth General Hospital on January 5, 2009. Born in London, Ont., he was the eldest son of the late William Oliver and Hilda Grace (Sturgess) Ellwood. He was a career soldier serving 38 and a half years in the Royal Canadian Corps of signals. Captured at Dieppe, he was a prisoner of war for 995 days, during which his hands were tied/shackled for over a year. He was released after a 30 day forced march including only three meals for the prisoners. Returning home, he was stationed in the Canadian north on the N.W.T. and Yukon, radio system. He also served in the Korean Conflict and on the first contingent of peace keepers to the Belgian Congo. Geoff was past-president of the Atlantic Chapter POW Association, a life member of the Centennial Legion, Branch No. 160, a charter member of the Dartmouth Lawn Bowls, a longtime treasurer for Woodlawn United Church Sunday school, nine years as the Akela of the first Woodlawn Cubs and he curled for many years at CFB Halifax Curling Club. In 1976, he was honoured when he received the Military Medal of Merit. He is survived by his wife, Helen (Leppanen); children, Martha Gordon, London, Ont., James (Mary) Borden, Ont.; Keith (Holly), Elderbank; pap to Sara, Kathleen, Neil, David, James, Alex. Also survived by sisters, Olive Murphy, Burlington, Ont.; Veda (Glenn) Campbell, North Carolina; brother, Oliver, Hamilton, Ont. and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother, Wallace and son-in-law, David Gordon. Visitation will be held Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in Atlantic Funeral Home, 771 Main St., Dartmouth. A legion service will be held beginning at 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Woodlawn United Church, Dartmouth. Reception will follow in the church. Family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. On-line condolences may be made by visiting:www.atlanticfuneralhome.com