Blake Ellis/The Independent

“Thank you for remembering our Uncle Herman,” said Diane Thomas, niece of the late Private Herman Fletcher Thomas.

It might have been over 80 years since Private Thomas was killed in action during the Second World War, but he is stilled being remembered and honoured.

Patrick Armstrong and Dave Matheson, founders of the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund, presented the Ipperwash Beach Club with a public access defibrillator in memory of Thomas on Friday. The memorial fund donates defibrillators in the name of fallen soldiers and first responders 

Private Thomas, of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point, died in France on July 30, 1944 while serving with the Essex Scottish Regiment. Diane Thomas, a niece of Herman, spoke on behalf of his family, saying they are honoured to have this donation made in memory of him.

Although Thomas did not have an opportunity to know her Uncle Herman personally, she knows him through his sisters and brother who would often share stories about him.

The family would be told about the hardships, the hurt and the pain, how it felt for Herman and Diane’s father leave home and go to war as well as the dangers they faced. While Herman was killed in action, Diane’s father – Herman’s brother – did return home from the war.

Several of the family continued the tradition of serving the military after Private Thomas’ passing. One of his other nieces is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces.

Thomas thought the Ipperwash Beach Club was the perfect location for the defibrillator, saying you never know when there is a situation where you are going to need it.

To date, this is Dave Mounsey Memorial Funds 214^th donation, with seven lives having been saved because of these devices. The Sarnia Legion partnered with the memorial fund to have this defibrillator placed at the Ipperwash Beach Club. This is the fourth defibrillator donation where the Sarnia Legion has been involved. 

“We hope you never have to use it, but if you do, it is here,” said Armstrong.