Ronald Roe

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Bio

Ronald Roe was a Korean War veteran born in Canada of Irish descent. His grandfather, Jason Roe, and his wife were pioneer settlers of Goulbourn Township, which is now the surrounding township of Canada’s Capital, Ottawa, ON. Ron’s father, William Asa Roe, was the former mayor of Carleton Place, ON, where Ron was born in 1930. During his time in school, Ron was very studious. He won the IODE scholarship for General Proficiency in Grade 13 from Carleton Place High School, was Valedictorian of his class, and upon graduation from high school in 1949, Ron was awarded the Third Carter Scholarship for Lanark County by the Ontario Department of Education. Furthering his education into post-secondary, he was accepted into the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, ON, where he was also awarded a Dominion Scholarship of $500.00. During his time at RMC, Ron was a Commanding Officer of the Cadet Corps and was selected for a special cadet camp in Banff, AB.

Once he graduated from RMC, Ron enlisted with the Canadian Army in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (Communications) and was deployed by air from Vancouver, BC, to Korea in July of 1953, where he joined the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Shortly after arriving in Korea, the Signallers were deployed to many battles, including the Battle of Kapyong, which led to the armistice that remains in effect today.

After the Korean War, Ron returned home to Canada and to Carleton Place, ON, where he continued to work as an engineer for the Canadian military, was married to Betty Ratcliffe, and had several children. Upon retirement from the military, Ron went on to serve as a city councilor, a board member of the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital, an avid congregant, preacher, and singer at the Zion-Memorial United Church, and a founder and curator of the “Hall of Valour” – a commemorative museum to honour Canadian veterans who lost their lives in war. Formerly in Carleton Place, The Hall of Valor is now in Perth, ON, at the Hall of Remembrance Military Museum, Branch 244 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Ron passed away in 2017 at age 87, leaving behind a large family and a legacy.

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