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"A Family Tradition for 133 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 24, 1999 - 5 By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Ross Heron always knew he'd sur- vive his trek through Europe while serving his country in World War Two. "We were in north Italy and we had no help, so we were just getting killed. I prayed to the Lord and asked Him when it was my time and He said to me 'Ross, You'll get home safely without a scratch'," recalled Mr. Heron, setting the tone for his recently published auto- biography, "The Ultimate Victory". "From then on I lost all fear; I would go out and pick up wounded and guys would yell at me that I'd get killed, but I was told I'd be okay." Mr. Heron served more than four- and-a-half years in war-torn Europe, participating in bloody campaigns such as the battle for Ortona, without suffer- ing any injury. His numerous experiences are the subject matter of The Ultimate Victory. "I worked on the book for the past four years or so... people kept saying how lucky I was that I survived and escaped, and they said I should write a book," said Mr. Heron. "I should have been killed a good number of times, but the good Lord got me through." After enlisting with the Canadian Army in June 1940 at the age of 19 -- "it was the thing to do, all the young fel- lows were signing up," he recalled -- Mr. Heron spent time in Eastern Canada in training before being shipped across the Atlantic in July, 1941. As an Intelligence Sergeant with the Queen's Own Rifles, Mr. Heron spent his time in Italy on security, coding, gathering intelligence, and doing night patrols. "There's so many times I should have been shot and killed," he said. . stopped at the corner of a mountain," In Europe, Mr. Heron said he kept a se small Bible with him at all times. "I carried my Bible with me right through the war in my mess tins to pro- tect it. When I went to eat, I put it in my pocket, but other than that my Bible was in my tins," said Mr. Heron. Mr. Heron cites at least two exam- ples of how he thinks some higher power protected him during his time overseas. "I was taking a load of ammo and food on five donkeys one night in the pouring rain and all of a sudden they said Mr. Heron, recalling how the stub- born animals refused to budge. A short while later, he learned that German soldiers were waiting around the corner to ambush convoys. "I would have for sure been blown to bits," said Mr. Heron. Another time, Mr. Heron's platoon was preparing to attack a small town in an effort to reclaim it from the Axis forces when they discovered a trip wire, which took approximately an hour to dismantle. "When we finally got into the town, the people there told us that the Germans had just left about an hour ago and that they were heavily armed. "If the good Lord hadn't of slowed us up with that trip wire, we would've been shot to pieces." After his stint in Europe, Mr. Heron returned to Canada where he was dis- charged from the forces. Approximately 500 copies of Mr. Heron's book, "The Ultimate Victory", were published. They are currently available at Christian book stores in Whitby and Lindsay, and can be obtained from Mr. Heron by calling 986-1766. A tale of bravery and solid faith Blackstock man recounts his wartime exp SEAGRAVE UNITED CHURCH PORK BBQ & CORN ROAST Friday, September 3rd, beginning at 4:30 at Len Somerville's Farm 21300 Simcoe St., Seagrave $10.Tickets Available from Len - 985-8066 Keith - 985-2489 Eneryy efficient windows reduce draft & increase warmth. Alcan vinyl & aluminum windows. 3 : A | Edugnives | REAM) hy 2 Consumers Forni' Gold Club * Free Estimates * Seniors Discount * Financing Available Sales and Installation of Doors * Windows * Troughs * Additions ¢ Solariums Reach industrial Park - Reg. Rd. 8 (17a Mie E. of Hwy. 12) Port Perry (908) 985-3333 or 985-3747 or Toll Free 1-888-WIN-DOOW (946-3669) If You Are Receiving Demutualization Benefits, Call Me To Find Out How You Can "Minimize The Tax Consequences. Call Investment Advisor RBC , DOMINION Robert Gow w SECURITIES at (905) 434-71 56 Personal Wealth Management™ [_ SCUGOG FINANCIAL J SERVICES INC. e Annual Rates e GIC RRSP 5.50% 5.75% 5.90% 6.10% 6.30%.......6.25% 30 DAY CASHABLE 4.50% 1.000 sninon Rates subject to change without notice 'Serving Scugog For Over 15 Years" 250 Queen Street, Port Perry * 985-3832 (next to Shoppers Drug Mart) * Gas * Electric ° Corn o Pellets SAVE AT LEAST 10% OFF EVERYTHING! Vermont Castings, Regency, Heritage, Majestic S ST. EAST 900 Hopkins St. po at Burns, WHITBY (905) 668-3192 HIGHWAY 401 "IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE... ADVERTISE WHERE IT PAYS" Port Perry Star & Weekend Star Delivered to your mailbox twice weekly...not the end of your driveway!