Shoults (Major Retired) latest resident to receive Diamond Jubilee Medal

Mayor Al McDonald presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal to Mervyn J. Shoults on Saturday March 30, 2013. Story and Photo provided by Carol Verge.

The Diamond Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the Throne and as a way to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

Mervyn John Kent Shoults (Major Retired) started his Military career when he joined the Royal Canadian Navy as an Ordinary Seaman in 1945 and served in the Fleet Air Arm on the Aircraft Carriers Warrior and Magnificent. In 1950, at the completion of his 5 year “hitch”, he was honourably
discharged with rank of Leading Seaman. In 1951, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force with the rank of Leading Aircraftsman and served at several radar stations throughout Canada. In 1965, he was commissioned from the ranks and became an Air Weapons Controller serving at many NORAD facilities in Canada and the United States.

While serving at R.C.A.F. Station Gander, Newfoundland, on February 1, 1966, he had the pleasure of seeing Queen Elizabeth in person as she did a walk-around at the Gander International Airport while her aircraft was being re-fuelled prior to heading for the Caribbean on a Royal Tour. The final 4 years of his military career were spent in the underground SAGE complex at Canadian Forces Base North Bay. The only medal he has ever been awarded is the Canadian Forces Decoration with two bars.

Following his retirement in 1982 with the rank of Major, he served on the Board of Directors of many non-profit corporations, including Northern Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Northern Ontario Cooperative Housing Association, Harmony Haven Housing Cooperative, Holy Name Community Non Profit Housing Association, West Ferris Community Brunch and the Near North Branch of the Federal
Superannuates National Association. He is an Honorary Life Member and Past President of the North Bay Golden Age Club and is currently a proud member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.

Mervyn Shoults served his country and the Queen with great courage, honour and dedication for 37 years. He was married for over 50 years and is now a widower; he has 6 children, 19 grandchildren