Thomas Snook
and Francis Bouzane
were both members of the Newfoundland Overseas Forest Unit
and its Home Guard unit, the 3rd Inverness (Newfoundland)
Battalion. This Battalion is referred to briefly on other
pages of this website. It is covered in considerable
detail on an
excellent Canadian site about NOFU which contains images,
members' lists and much other information.
Thomas
Snook from St. Alban's and
Francis Bouzane from St. Patrick's were two of the approx.
3680 members of the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit
who came to the UK early in the war and worked in the North
of England and Scotland until 1946.
By 1942 most of the NOFU members were located
in large forests in the Highlands of Scotland. Like
so many of their comrades these two men responded to
the call to arms and joined the 3rd Inverness (Newfoundland)
Battalion of the Home Guard which was formed to guard
against the risk of German incursion in remote areas. Detailed
information on this Battalion can be seen on the NOFU website mentioned
above.
An image of Francis's service survives.
He is on the extreme right, back row, of this photograph.
Unfortunately neither the other men nor the location and
date have so far been identified. Further information from
any visitor to this site would be very welcome.
Thomas and Francis returned home to Newfoundland,
married and raised families. Thomas's daughter eventually
married Francis's son. Here (left) in later life
is Thomas with, inset, his grandson, Stephen Bouzane.
And (right) Francis in his Home Guard
uniform.
Both Thomas and Francis have now passed
away, Thomas in 1994 at the age of 78 and Francis in 2003,
aged 83.
Thomas Snook's original
Engagement Contract dated 14th June 1940 survives and is
reproduced below. It is the day on which the German Army
enters Paris and just 11 days after the end of the Dunkirk
evacuation. Great Britain is at greater risk than it has
been for 900 years. The men of Newfoundland respond to the
call.
Thomas's Home Guard service is commemorated
in his King George VI certificate.
*************
Cpl.
Stephen Bouzane, the grandson
of Thomas and Francis, served his country in the 3rd Battalion
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Together with
two of his comrades he gave his life on 20th June 2007 in
Afghanistan, near to Kandahar. He was 26 years of age. May
this website page stand as a reminder of his sacrifice and
a very minor tribute to his service, as well as that of
his two grandfathers.
