HENRY ANTHONY SCHREYER -

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HENRY ANTHONY SCHREYER 1923 - 2002 It is with sorrow that the family announces the passing of Henry Schreyer September 28, 2002 at St. Boniface Hospital. Henry was born in Winnipeg August 29, 1923. At the age of four he moved with his parents back to the Beausejour district where he soon began to help on the family farm. By the age of 14 he was also working in the winter season cutting pulpwood in the Lac du Bonnet Pinawa district. Soon after the outbreak of the Second World War, at the age of 17, he volunteered for service with the Canadian army. He served in the Royal Canadian Engineers with which by June 1944 he drew front line combat duty in Normandy and on through to Holland. In the battle zone at the River Maas he received shrapnel wounds to the scalp and related head wounds. He was able to return to front line duty within 60 days. He returned home to Canada in 1946 a veteran of five years at the grand old age of 22. Adjustment to civilian life was difficult for Henry after the traumatic experiences. Four years later he volunteered once again soon after the Korean War began. This time he served with the Royal Canadian Regiment as part of the United Nations Force hastily deployed to stop North Korean aggression. In February 1952 Henry was selected to serve in the Honour Guard at the Installation of Governor General Vincent Massey. Just days later he was in the combat zone of the rice paddies and nondescript hills of central Korea. His reconnaissance unit was ambushed during a night patrol and he was most severely wounded by grenade and rifle fire. Among the few survivors he was helicopter evacuated to triage field hospital subsequently to military hospital in Japan. Six months later he was sufficiently stabilized to be air transported back to Canada. Survive he did, however, and for another 49 years. In the last many years he became an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion, The Canadian Korean War Veterans Association and related activity. He served for some years as the national director of the Korean War Veterans Association of Canada and the regional president for Manitoba, the local president of the Beausejour Legion. Henry was a loyal and devoted member of the veteran organizations and attended at many of the ceremonial duties, last rites and farewells to former comrades. For his distinguished service he received eight medals and service stars - the 1939/45 war medal and star, the Defense of Britain medal, the France-Germany star, the Canadian Volunteer medal, the United Nations for Korea medal, etc. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Honor; and daughters, Kathy Hannah (Jim) and Norma Taylor (Doug) and son Donald Watson; and numerous grandchildren. He is survived by his brothers, George (Lil), Leonard (Elsie), Edward (Lily) and sister Eleanor Thomas (Donald) of Langley, BC; and sister-in-law Lillian. Henry was predeceased by his father John James in 1977, and mother Elizabeth in 1990, and brother Tony in January 2002. The family would like to thank members of the Korea War Veterans Association, the Royal Canadian Legion and all Henrys comrades in arms for their fraternal support and generosity. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 2 at 11:00 a.m. at Thomson Funeral Chapel, 669 Broadway, with Rev. Gordon Shields officiating. Interment will be at Brookside Cemetery Soldiers Field of Honour. Pallbearers will be members of the Korea Veterans Association and members of the Beausejour Legion. Following the interment a reception will be held with thanks to the Korea Veterans Association at 303 ANAVETS at 341 Wilton St. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Canadian Liver Foundation, P.O. Box 1943, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R2. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 01, 2002