MILITARY HISTORY

Gunner Edward Henry Rishea — C 405148 — Non-Permanent Active Militia

Edward Henry Rishea was 24 years, 7 months old when, as a married man, he enrolled under the Non-Permanent Active Militia on April 2, 1941 in Peterborough, Ontario. Edward resided at 41 Park St. South, Peterborough and stated that he was born British on September 1, 1916. He was 5′ 6″ tall, weighed 178 pounds, brown eyes, dark-brown hair and had a 40″ chest (expanded). Edward Henry had a linear scar on his right leg. He and gave his occupation as a Butcher. He indicated that he had previous military experience with the 4th Field Battery, Peterborough. Edward Henry’s next-of-kin was his wife Mrs. Katherine Rishea, living at 41 Park St. South, Peterborough. On April 1, 1941 Edward Henry Rishea was assigned the Rank of Gunner (Gnr); given Regimental Number C 405148 and taken-on-strength with the 4th Field Battery, Peterborough. On April 8, 1941 Gnr Rishea was struck-off-strength from the 4th Field Battery, Peterborough on enlisting with the Canadian Active Army.

Private Edward Henry Rishea — C 1568 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War II)

Edward Henry Rishea was 24 years, 7 months old when, as a married man, he was Attested in Kingston, Ontario was enlisted on April 8, 1941 into the Active Force. Edward resided at 41 Park St. South, Peterborough and stated that he was born in Peterborough on September 1, 1916. He was 5′ 11″ tall, weighed 182 pounds, gray eyes, brown hair and had a 40″ chest (expanded). Edward Henry gave his occupation as a Butcher. Edward Henry’s next-of-kin was his wife Mrs. Katherine Rishea, living at 41 Park St. South, Peterborough. He indicated that he had one-week previous military experience with the 4th Field Battery, Peterborough. Edward Henry’s Medical Examination was done in Kingston on April 4, 1941 Edward Henry indicated that he had a wound in his right thigh in 1936; he was found fit for duty. On April 8, 1941 he was assigned the rank of Gunner (Gnr); given Regimental Number C 1568 and taken-on-strength to No 3A District Depot (DD) for the 4th Light Anti-Aircraft (Lt AA) or (LAA) Regiment (Regt) at Kingston. Also, on April 8, 1941 Gnr Rishea indicated that he was Insured with the London Life Insurance Company and the Insurance Premiums were being paid. He made a Pay Assignment of $20.00 monthly, to a Bank Account, effective May 1941. At this time Gnr Rishea was entitled to a $47.00 Dependant Allowance and his wife’s address had changed to 471 Rubidge St., Peterborough, Ontario.

On April 22, 1941 Gnr Rishea was struck-off-strength from No 3 A DD to the 4th LAA Regt at Kingston. April 23, 1941 he was taken-on-strength to the 4th L AA Regt, Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA), Active Force (AF) and posted to the 32nd Canadian LAA Battery at London, Ontario. June 16, 1941 Gnr Rishea was Tested on a 4-week cooking course under the War Emergencies Act and passed with Rating “A”. July 6, 1941 Gnr Rishea was granted Special Leave from 1600 hours to 2200 hours on July 9, 1941. July 8, 1941 he was Trade Tested, qualified and classified as a Cook Group “C”. On July 9, 1941 Gnr Rishea is entitled to draw Trades Pay as Cook Group “C”.

On August 23, 1941 Gnr Rishea was struck-off-strength from the Canadian Army (Canada) on embarkation at Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS). On August 24, 1941 Gnr Rishea was taken-on-strength to the Canadian Army (Overseas) on transfer. September 2, 1941 he disembarked at Glasgow, Scotland and traveled to Colchester, Essex, England. Gnr Rishea was granted Landing Leave from reveille on September 6, 1941 to 1600 hours on September 8, 1941. November 14, 1941 Gnr Rishea ceased to draw Trades Pay Group “C” and the same day it was changed to continue to draw Trades Pay for 30 days. He was now with the No 3 Canadian Army Reinforcement Unit (CARU) and was then transferred to the No 5 Canadian General Hospital (CGH) at Taplow, Bucks from the Colchester Military Hospital. Also on November 14, 1941 Gnr Rishea was admitted to the Colchester Military Hospital on a stretcher with acute pain in his right lower abdomen and felt nauseated. On admission his chest and heart were checked and found good. He was diagnosed with Subacute Appendicitis and a number of tests were done. On November 24, 1941 Gnr Rishea had an Appendectomy at the Colchester Military Hospital. A large McBurney’s incision was made, there was some discharge from it and skin edges slightly separated; he was told that it was inflamed. Apparently there was a smooth Post Operation course of recovery. He has a slight cough, no sputum and no pain in his chest. December 1, 1941 sutures were removed; the wound was clean. On December 3, 1941 he was declared fit for transfer and was admitted at 1730 hours to the No 5 CGH at Taplow, Bucks. While recovering from major surgery, on December 3, 1941, Gnr Rishea was struck-off-strength from the HQ, 4th Canadian LAA Regt RCA to No 3 CARU on being transferred from the Colchester Military Hospital to the No 5 CGH and taken-on-strength in the Hospital on December 4, 1941. On December 13, 1941 Gnr Rishea was scheduled to be discharged; December 16, 1941 he was discharged to the No 1 Convalescent Detachment (CD) for recovery until December 24, 1941. No lifting or heavy work until after this date and then gradual increase to full duty.

January 6, 1942 Gnr Rishea was discharged from the No 1 CD and returns to the No 8 CARU. On March 11, 1942 Gnr Rishea was struck-off-strength from the 4th Canadian LAA Regt RCA to the 5th Canadian LAA Regt RCA. March 12, 1942 he was taken-on-strength with the 5th Canadian LAA Regt RCA. June 6, 1942 he was discharged from No 1 CD to the 5th Canadian LAA Regt RCA. At this time it was stated that Gnr Rishea’s son, Edward Martin was born on July 1, 1942 in Peterborough, Ontario.

September 10, 1942 Gnr Rishea was struck-off-strength from 5th Canadian LAA Regt RCA to No 3 CARU on admission to the No 1 General Hospital (GH) Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) at Horsham, England. He was diagnosed with fractured Nasal Bones, an injury from being hit by a baseball (at Brighton); there was marked deformity with dislocation of septal cartilage. September 11, 1942 he was taken-on-strength to the No 1 GH, there was reduction of the dislocation and fracture. September 21, 1942 Gnr Rishea was discharged from the No 1 GH to No 3 CARU. December 3, 1942 he was struck-off-strength to 8th Canadian LAA Regt, RCA from No 3 CARU. December 4, 1942 Gnr Rishea was taken-on-strength with the 8th Canadian LAA Regt, RCA.

January 1, 1943 Gnr Richea received an increase in Pay to $1.50 daily. January 7, 1943 he was admitted to the No 12 Light Field Ambulance (Lt Fd Amb); January 31, 1943 Gnr Rishea was discharged from No 12 Lt Fd Amb to the 8th Canadian LAA Regt RCA. On May 26, 1943 Gnr Rishea was transferred to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) and assumed the Rank of Private (Pte) he is attached to No 1 Canadian Army Service Corps Reinforcement Unit (CASCRU) for all purposes and to be Trade tested as a Butcher “C”; he qualified and was granted the Trade Rate of Pay of $2.00 for Butcher “C”, still with the 8th Canadian LAA Regt, RCA.

April 8, 1943 Pte Rishea was granted his 1st Good Conduct Badge. A change of address for his next-of-kin, his wife, Mrs. Katherine Rishea at 168½ Charlotte Street, Peterborough Ontario, Canada was issued. Pte Rishea also was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. Pte Rishea embarked at the United Kingdom (UK) on July 20, 1944 and disembarked at France on July 26, 1944. December 12, 1944 Pte Rishea is admitted to the No 15 Light Field Ambulance (Lt Fd Amb) in the Field with 3rd degree burns to both shins, right elbow and both hands which were tended at No 15 Advanced Dressing Station (ADS). Pte Rishea was refilling a stove burner when the fuel ignited causing a fire and burns to himself. Although only some supplies were lost he was still charged with Negligent to Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline, “Negligently operated cooker to cause a fire”. Pte Rishea was fined 2 British pounds and discharged from No 15 ADS to Light Duty at his Unit on December 15, 1944. Also, on December 12, 1944 he is struck-off-strength to X-3 List RCASC – Butcher “C” and on December 13, 1944 Pte Rishea was taken-on-strength to the X-3 List RCASC from 8th Canadian LAA Regt RCA – Butcher “C”. December 15, 1944 he struck-off-strength to the 8th Canadian LAA Regt RCA – Butcher “C”. December 16, 1944 he taken-on-strength from the X-3 List RCASC – Butcher “C”.

April 10, 1945 Pte Rishea qualified to Butcher “B” on retesting; he was granted Trades Pay Butcher “B”. On April 11, 1945 Pte Rishea was awarded 9 days Privilege Leave with Ration Allowance with effect from (wef) April 2, 1945. On May 20 1945 he volunteered for the Pacific Theatre, while still with the 8th Canadian LAA Regt RCA. June 13, 1945 Pte Rishea was struck-off-strength to 81/e/CD — MD 3 (Butcher “B”) [Note destination unknown]. June 14, 1945 he was taken-on-strength from the 8th Canadian LAA Regt RCA, Butcher “B”.

Having embarked from Northwest Europe (NEW) wef June 16, 1945 and disembarked the UK wef June 16 1945 are attached to the No 5 Canadian Repatriation Depot on June 17, 1945. July 4, 1945 Pte Rishea ceases to be attached to the No 5 Canadian Repatriation Depot and is struck-off-strength from the Canadian Army (Overseas). On September 3, 1945 he was at Camp Borden and had a Medical Board; the proceedings listed his major medical history and no treatment was recommended. September 7, 1945 he is taken-on-strength from the No 4 Canadian Replacement Depot, Canadian Army Pacific Force (CAPF), Camp Borden, Ontario.

A statement from an interview on September 18, 1945:
This man served Overseas for three years and ten months, including service in Northwest Europe. While Overseas this man qualified as a Gunner, a Cook Group “C” and a Butcher Group “B”. He will return to Canada Packers as a Butcher.

On September 19, 1945 Private Edward Henry Rishea was struck-off-strength from the Canadian Army (Canada) to return to civil life on demobilization. He was granted a $100.00 Clothing Allowance and a Rehabilitation grant. Edward Henry’s post Service address was168½ Charlotte Street, Peterborough Ontario.

Private Edward Henry Rishea was awarded the following medals:
1939 – 45 Star;
France and Germany Star;
Defence Medal;
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Bar and
War Medal, 1939 – 45.
He was also awarded War Service Badge (WSB) 225667 – Class “A” His WSB was dispatched to him on September 19, 1945.

Private Edward Henry Rishea served for about 6 months, 18 days in Canada, about 2 years, 11 months and 7 days in the United Kingdom, about 10 months and 21 days in France and the Western European Theatre of War for a total time of 4 years, 5 months and 11 days (including travel time).

On May 25, 1978 Edward Henry Rishea’s Widow requested all of his Medals. To be sent to:
Mrs. Edward H. Rishea; 50 Strickland St., Lakefield, Ontario.

An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:

The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?

PERSONAL HISTORY

EDWARD HENRY RISHEA

Edward Henry Rishea was born on September 1, 1916 in Douro Township, the son of John Amie Rishea and Edith Vinette. Edward attended the public school and completed Grade 7 before leaving school at 13 years of age. He spoke and read both English and French. At the time of enlistment in World War II, he was working at Canada Packers Limited in Peterborough for $25.00 weekly; he worked in Wholesale Meat Distributors for 11 years. He had no farming experience.

Edward Henry Rishea married Mary Webdale, daughter of William Webdale and Mabel Violet Watson on June 20, 1936. They had at least two children – Gloria born about August 1940 and Edward Martin born July 1, 1942. Edward and Mary were believed to be living in Lakefield in the early 1960’s and Mary was living in Lakefield at 50 Strickland Street on May 25, 1978. Edward enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing. He also liked sports playing soccer as a goalie, hockey as a goalie and baseball as a catcher. Edward Henry Rishea died on June 2, 1972 and is buried in Hillside Cemetery in Lakefield.

THE EDWARD HENRY RISHEA FAMILY OF DOURO TOWNSHIP

Edward Henry Rishea’s paternal grandparents were Henry “Harry” Rishea and Delania Barette. They had a family of Edward Henry, Josephine, Cecilia and a son born premature. His maternal grandparents were Edward Vinette and Elizabeth “Eliza” Feeley.

Edward Henry Rishea’s parents were Joseph Amie Rishea born about 1886 and Edith Vinette born about 1890. They were married on April 16, 1913 by W. J. McCall, a Catholic Priest in Peterborough, Ontario. They lived at 87 Park Street in Peterborough and Joseph worked as a butcher. They had four children: Josephine born about 1915; Edward Henry born September 1, 1916; Cecilia born about 1920 and a son born July 23, 1922 premature.