The Town of Minto has dedicated a new road in the Industrial Park here to a family of local World War II veterans.
A dedication service for Noble Family Road was held on May 26, with about 40 family members, friends, Legion members and officials on hand.
The road was named in honour of Lawrence Noble and his brothers Ivan and Wilfred, who all served in the Canadian military.
Lawrence joined the 10th Canadian General Hospital in 1942, working as a stretcher bearer to help with treating and moving causalities back to England.
Wilfred served as a driver stationed at Camp Borden in England and, after being transferred to France to serve convoy duty, began driving staff cars.
Ivan served with the military police in Chatham, Simcoe, Aldershot and Hagersville.
“Lawrence Noble served in Number 10 General Hospital as the stretcher bearer, where he went out on the battlefield to bring the casualties to the hospital tent, which was very dangerous,” said his wife, Bernice Noble, at the ceremony last Friday.
“It has been a long time in the making, but today we are dedicating the street, signed in Lawrence’s name as well as his two brothers,” said Bernice.
She thanked the Town of Minto, local councillors and the Palmerston Legion branch for “putting Lawrence’s name forward to have a street named after him.”
Mayor George Bridge commented on the foresight of past town councils for deciding to name new roads in the municipality to honour veterans for their service.
“We can’t say enough about it,” said the mayor.
Perth-Wellington MP John Nater said, “Thank you for your husband’s service, thank you too for your brothers-in-laws’ service. To the entire Noble family, thank you for all you’ve done for our great county.”
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece noted that “a whole other army,” including ambulance workers, followed the front line soldiers into battle.
“Maybe these soldiers didn’t see action like the front line soldiers did, but they were so important in ensuring the front line soldiers were looked after and had some comfort, that if they were wounded they would be treated with respect and dignity,” Pettapiece stated.
Legions need support
Bridge thanked Bernice Noble for her contribution to the dedication ceremony.
Noting “Bernice has been a great Legion member,” Bridge, himself a member of the Harriston branch, made a pitch for local residents to support the organization.
“We need help. We need to get more young people coming to the Legions and trying to preserve these memories,” said Bridge.
Noble Road intersects with Minto Road in the Palmerston Industrial Park.
