Private Thomas Alexander Gavinski
Thomas (Tom) Alexander Gavinski was born in Renfrew, Ontario on August 27th, 1924 to Alexander and Veronica Gavinski. Thomas was the third oldest of six children who were raised in a busy household. From oldest to youngest, Catherine, Margaret, Thomas, James, Alexander and Barbara. Tom graduated high school from Renfrew Collegiate. Of the six children, three served in uniform during WWII: Margaret was a Sergeant in the Canadian Woman’s Army Corps, Tom served in the Army, and James served with the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve.
On January 15th, 1939, Thomas enlisted in the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment and later transitioned to the Canadian Infantry Corps in 1943 and was stationed at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia until 1944. He held the rank of Lance Corporal. Thomas learned about the Paratroopers, who were looking for the very best men, so he requested to volunteer. After successfully passing the battery of physical and psychological testing, he was sent to the Parachute School in Shilo, Manitoba. On March 4th, 1944, Tom graduated from the Parachute School and became a very proud Paratrooper. Tom was sent to England where he joined the ranks of the elite 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, as part of the 6th British Airborne Division.
Tom was assigned to the A Company, 1st Platoon when he travelled with the Battalion to Ostend, Belgium as they made their way to the Ardennes to fight in what was better known as the Battle of the Bulge. He remained there from December 25th, 1944, until January 20th, 1945. From there, he travelled with the Battalion to the Maas River, Holland on January 23rd, 1945, through February 15th, 1945, before making their way back to England. Tom continued to train with the 6th Airborne Division in preparation for the next mission. On March 24th, 1945, at 10:20 AM, Tom parachuted into Germany during Operation Varsity, which was a daring daytime drop onto an active drop zone under enemy fire.
The Battalion fought deeper into Germany and eventually arrived in Wismar on May 2nd, 1945. On May 8, 1945 (also known as VE day), Germany surrendered, and the Battalion returned to England and eventually to Canada on June 21st, 1945. When Tom returned home after the war, he brought home a Second World War French poem entitled ‘The Paths to Freedom’, which was given to him by a resident of France who expressed that this was ‘his tribute to freedom’.
Tom was discharged from the army on January 18th, 1946. However, Tom decided to re-enlist in the military once again on June 15th, 1951, in the 178 Battery 59th LAA Regiment, Renfrew. He started at the rank of sergeant. He received his commission to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant on December 19th, 1963. He retired at the rank of captain in October 1972.
His decorations upon retiring included the 1939-1945 Star, France Germany Star, Defense Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and clasp, War Medal, and Canadian Forces Decoration with clasp.
Tom married his first wife Irma Maureen Kelly on June 26, 1948. They had one daughter named Karen. Maureen Gavinski passed away when she was 41 years of age on August 15th,1965.
Tom was fortunate to find love for a second time. He met Stella Jean Lepinski and they married on October 12th, 1968 at St. John Chrysostom Church in Arnprior. Stella had four children from her first marriage - Donna, Doug, Debbie, and Dan. Stella passed away on May 24th, 1992.
Tom and Maureen’s daughter Karen passed away in 2006 at 56 years of age.
After retiring, Tom became an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the local Royal Canadian Legion. In 2004, the Council of the Town of Arnprior presented the Town Crest Award to Arnprior Veterans, including Thomas Gavinski. This award is the most prestigious form of recognition given by the Township. Tom Gavinski passed away peacefully at home in Arnprior on December 4th, 2004 at the age of 80 years. Then in 2013, Thomas (Tom) Gavinski was also recognized with the street name TOM GAVINSKI STREET in his honour in the Town of Arnprior.
If you have taken the time to read about Thomas Alexander Gavinski, then you have kept his memory alive. We Thank You for that.
Information and photographs courtesy of Dan Gavinski, Joan Cybulski, Amy Langlois and Mark Langlois.
Sten MkV Submachine Gun
The Sten submachine gun can be found in several models, the one pictured here is a Sten MKV, produced for the Paratroopers. It was an inexpensive firearm to produce, costing less than $10.00 per unit. It chambered a 9mm cartridge with a firing rate 550 rounds per minute and an effective range of 100 yards. Also shown is a magazine pouch or bandolier that allowed a soldier to carry additional 30-round magazines. Captain Gavinski trained and carried a similar Sten MkV Submachine gun during his service in Europe during World War 2.
