Born 24/12/1922 in Raleigh Twps., Kent Co., ON.  The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Worthy and Maude (nee Dryer) Ellerbeck of R. R. #3 Merlin /  Wheatley, ON. Sister of Arvine William R261267, Robert, Douglas and Beatrice.  

Mildred was living at R. R. # 3 Merlin when she enlisted at the age of 20 years in Chatham, ON., in 1943.  She was working at the Chatco Steel plant in Chatham, making ammunition boxes and hand grenades.  According to an article in the CDN 10/11/12, “Millie came to the military by accident.”  She was working in Chatham at the time and was also playing on a Chatham baseball team. It was after playing a game against a team of “army girls” that she “Liked them so much she decided to join them. She had a brother who was training at RCAF Trenton and he urged her to join the RCAF (WD) women’s Division instead of the army.

She enlisted in the RCAF 20 January 1944, she did her basic training at Upper Rockcliff, near Ottawa and was stationed at 6 R.D. and No. 1 Air Command, Trenton, ON, as a motor transport driver. She had learned to drive in the Air Force, passing the driving test long before she had a civilian license. Her section was responsible for driving all vehicles around the base including ambulances, personnel carries, fuel tankers, buses and anything else. Mildred recalled those days as such fun. We would get a 48-hour pass and hitchhike to Montreal or New York City.

At Trenton she ‘bunked with 20 girls to a room in an H-shaped barracks. Besides the driving the women learned to change oil on the vehicles and perform basic service and how to change tires. After several months at Trenton she was ‘shipped out’ for “Transport Training”. She was the only female in a class of 50 men. “I took a lot of ribbing, but the guys were really good about it.”

Posted back to Trenton, it was during this posting that she came face to face with the dangers of warfare. Mildred had been home to the family farm near Port Alma and was returning on the train back to the base. It was reported in the MS (1944 date unknown – ‘Fletcher’) was reported spending a two week leave with her parents.  On board that trip was a neighbor Gordon Craig and they trades stories on the trip. The next morning she was called to take guards to a farmer’s field not far from the base. One of their training craft had gone down killing the pilot and instructor, when she asked the pilot’s name, the response of “Gordon Craig” [Wilfred Gordon CRAIG, P/O., J41200, DOAA 21/03/44].

Mildred  returned to Port Alma where she met and fell in love with and married George Matier in 1948. George had also served in the RCAF, (LAC, R109806) stationed in St. Thomas.

Mildred managed the household as well as working at the Wheatley Hotel, the golf course, A&P store and Leamington Hospital.

After telling her commanding officer that she had ridden back to Trenton on the train and that they were neighbours he relieved her assignment and gave her the day off. Gordon’s parents became very close to her, as did his brother much later in life asking about his brother.

LAW Ellerbeck was posted to Uplands in 1945 for reposting overseas and was posted to be sent to the Middle East. She received all of her immunizations and boarded a train with five others, but when they reached their destination was told that the war was over. She and the others were put on a big Beechcraft and flown back to Trenton. When she landed in Trenton the base was celebrating the news, “The biggest bonfire down at the seaplane hanger that I ever saw.” Was part of the celebrating.”

In 1946 she was posted to Lachine PQ and honourably released 10 December, 1945 and transferred to the reserves. 

 

 

Mildred managed the household as well as working at the Wheatley Hotel, the golf course, A&P store and Leamington Hospital.

Matier-Dibbley, Mildred Irene (Ellerbeck) passed away at home 11/06/2018 age 95 years. “Mom was a very proud WW2 Veteran serving in the RCAF-Trenton in the Motor transport Division.”

Internment at Fairview Cemetery.  

It is with honour that LAW, W315327 Mildred ‘Millie’ Irene Ellerbeck was picked to represent the women who served in service to their country. JRH.

Information supplied to “Gathering our Heroes” by family member Ruth Ann (Ellerbeck) Pearce, 26 Bolohan Dr., Tilbury, ON., Muriel Smyth, R.R.4 Chatham, ON.  CDN 10/11/12, CDN 19/05/44 (P).

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

Tilbury&Wheatley This Week (15-11-2012 front page)

Marital Status	Single
When Enlisted	December 10th 1943
Where Enlisted	Chatham

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