Captain Frank Wencel, CD (Ret’d)
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We regret to advise of the death of Captain Frank Wencel, CD (Ret’d) peacefully on 22 September 2017 at the London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital in London, ON in his 85th year. A Korean War Vet, Frank worked for many years as a glass and metal mechanic with Norfolk Glass and Tillsonburg Glass and Mirror.
Frank enrolled with 25 Norfolk Medium Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) in October 1951 and transferred to the Canadian Army Special Force with the Royal Canadian Engineers in March 1952 for Korean War Service. After his training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Camp Chilliwack BC he was posted to 59th Field Squadron in Wainwright AB in May 1952 but was soon selected for service in Germany with 58th Field Squadron. He was subsequently posted to 3 Field Squadron and deployed to Korea in 1954. Returning to Canada, Frank took his release from the Special Force and transferred to 69 Battery of 56 Field Regiment RCA in 1955. He subsequently transferred to A Company of the 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment in Woodstock ON in 1968 and became Company Sergeant Major. Then, in 1970 Frank returned to 56 Field Regiment RCA and became Battery Sergeant Major.
Frank was a founding member of 153 Varnavair Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron,Tillsonburg ON in 1976 – serving two terms as Commanding Officer with the rank of Captain. Frank retired from the Canadian Forces in 1997 but continued to serve with the Air Cadets as a civilian instructor. Frank was a member of the Varnavair Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Tillsonburg. He had started his military service in Norfolk and he retired from military service in Norfolk County some 50 years later.
Visitation is at the Ostrander Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg ON on Friday 29 September 2017 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The funeral Service will follow at 11:00 am. Veterans and or service member attending are encouraged to wear your medals. After the service there will be a private family inurnment at the Tillsonburg Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to London Health Sciences Foundation c/o the Palliative Care Program Fund # 50-501-01 by contacting the Funeral Home. {khSep2017}