205981 Pte. John William "Bill " Melnechenko Canadian Army 1st Btn. Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch) from:Sheho, Saskatchewan, Canada My Uncle Bill never talked much about the War, but what he did tell us, is that he fought for us so we never would have to go to war again.
My uncle was 32 years of age when he joined the Canadian Army in Vancouver, British Columbia. After training he was stationed at South Saskatchewan Regiment near Regina, Sask. Upon hearing of need for men for special duties, he volunteered and was sent to Scotland for special training. He has a number of medals listed in his files but just recently we discovered why and how he was a POW.
He became a member of the Duke of Wellington Division 656003, 3rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Battalion Royal Highlanders "The Black Watch". He did tell a few stories but they are not for the faint of heart. They had to do whatever it took to push forward and survive. He was wounded in France in July 44, and after 6 weeks returned to duty. On October 8th, 1944 his regiment was under heavy fire and he tells of how two of his best friends were shot down. He saw the first one shot and ran out and pulled him into a trench, and then he ran out again and pulled back another of his buddies. Then he saw his last closest friend get gunned down and he ran out to pull him to safety when he was gunned down himself. My uncle had bullet wounds from the top of his right shoulder down along his right side of his spine to just above his waist and then across his right side. He laid in a ditch for three days, weak and awaiting death when two old German soldiers found him, cleaned his wounds and carried him to a German Con. Camp. He was reported October 11th, 1944 as a POW at Stalog 6C.
Somehow, he make it home, recovered and spoiled us nephews and nieces. He was a silent man but I remember him having very bad dreams and how he didn't trust himself when he slept. He never married or had any children that we know of. He said after the war, he was not good material to be a husband or father. I don't know if I agree with that, as he was a wonderful uncle who always wanted the best for us. He just didn't want to see me with a gun in my hands even though it was for hunting geese or skunks. He told me one time " He fought so I wouldn't or any of our family would ever have to carry a gun again." Well, I'm married to a Canadian Forces service man and I may not be carrying a gun but we are at war again and my husband has been with the mission since its beginning. Have we lost what so many died and fought for not so long ago?
If anyone knows of my uncle, I would sure like to hear your story.
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