Marion Barbara Dorothy Cousens

Barb was born on August 27, 1926 in Barrie, Ontario, the first of four children born to parents Col. Gordon and Dorothy Cousens. Sister Pam, brother George and brother Colin followed in short succession. The family made their home in Georgetown, Ontario.Born 1926. Her Uncle Basil (William Basil Pope Tugwell) was her godfather.

Physiotherapist.

Divorced from Keith - March, 1973

She has worked for many years for Canadian Veterans.

She was the recipient of the 2006 Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for British Columbia (The Commendation was in recognition of exceptional and exemplary service in assisting for the care and well being of veterans as well as for service embracing the Remembrance of sacrifice and valour)

Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation:

"Victoria, British Columbia

The Honourable Betty Hinton, Member of Parliament and Ms. Barbara Duncan.

A Veteran of the Second World War, Ms. Duncan was a Sick Berth Attendant serving with the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRENS). She was President of the WRENS Association and is currently serving as Sgt-at-Arms & Service Officer with the Women's Legion Ex-Service Branch 182. She is a devoted member of the Royal Canadian Naval Association and served as Secretary and currently serves as Service Officer. Ms. Duncan is also on the "Canada Remembers" Committees and is working to increase awareness of the importance of commemoration and assisting others in attending remembrance activities and events. Despite her commitments, Ms. Duncan still manages the time to volunteer as Membership Director with the Kiwanis Oak Bay Seniors Co-Op, where she devotes much deserved attention to finding affordable housing for Veterans and help for anyone needing assisted living and medical care. Ms. Duncan has worked since 2003 with Mr. Blake Heathcote on the project "Testaments of Honour." She diligently volunteers her time to assist him in interviewing remaining war Veterans to obtain their stories for his books."

Veterans Affairs Canada - Canada Remembers » Records & Collections » Heroes Remember:

"Barbara Duncan was born August 27, 1926 in Barrie, Ontario. Her father had participated in the First World War and when she decided to enlist, he figured it was the natural thing for her to do. She had tried to enlist when she was seventeen and a half but was told to finish school and try again when she was of age. When she finished school and turned eighteen she enlisted immediately.

In September 1944, she was sent for training at H.M.C.S Conastoga and from there was sent to the base in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

From Nova Scotia she was off to H.M.C.S Peregrine for five months and then off to Vancouver where she worked in the sick bay of the H.M.C.S Discovery.

After the war, she received her diploma in physiotherapy and upon graduation, gave birth to her first of five children.

She recently (2008), on behalf of the Ex-Service Women's Legion and the Nursing Sisters, helped honour Women Veterans by designing and arranging for two plaques to be unveiled in a special dedication ceremony at Langford's Veterans Memorial Park, Victoria, B.C."

(See also a video transcript of Barbara: http://vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/hrp/hrp_d...)