We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer John (Jack) Edwin Houldsworth (Ret'd) on 8 February 2015 in Ottawa. John was born in 1930 in Winnipeg, MB. After completing high school in 1948 he served as a lithographic apprentice at Bulman Bros. in Winnipeg. John often returned to his home town with his family. He joined the Canadian Army in 1951 and moved to Ottawa that became his new home.
John's military career spanned 32 years in lithography operations in mapping and charting - retiring in 1983 at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer as Regimental Sergeant Major of Mapping and Charting Establishment (MCE).
After his Basic Training, John joined the Army Survey Establishment in 1952 as a Lithographer. He qualified as Group 2 Lithographer that year and was appointed Acting Corporal on 1 January 1953. He advanced quickly in trades qualification and rank and was confirmed in the rank of Sergeant by 1959.
John was one of the first two exchange sergeants to go to the United Kingdom when he had a 2-year Exchange Tour (1965-67) with 22 Squadron (Lithography) of 42 Survey Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers. During that tour he was a member of the Royal Engineer Rifle Team. Returning to Canada in 1967, he continued to advance in trade and rank within MCE and received the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 1978. In June 1982 John was promoted CWO and appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of Mapping and Charting Establishment and held that appointment until his retirement in June 1983.
John was a Royal Canadian Legion Life Member associated with the Eastview Legion Branch #462 where he served as 1st Vice-President for a period of time.
A Gathering will be held at Sacred Space - Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa, on Tuesday, 17 Feb 2015 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. The Memorial will follow at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces at 280 Beechwood Ave.at 3:00 PM. Reception to follow at Borden & Fleming Suites - Beechwood National Memorial Centre 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of John to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch Poppy Fund: www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/royal-canadian-legion-branch-poppy-fund or the "Soldier On" Fund : www.cfmws.com/en/SupportOurTroops/DonateNow/Pages/soldierOn_donate.aspx
