overseas where he served three years in England and a year on the continent, in the countries of France, Germany, Holland, and Belgium.

Following his overseas service, Leslie Dignan returned to Canada to enter Wycliffe College in Toronto where he successfully completed his theology education. Upon graduation in 1948, he was awarded the MacElheran gold medal for preaching. He was ordained Deacon on September 13, 1948 at St. James’ Church, Port Hill by Rt. Rev. Bishop Waterman. On July 10, 1949 he was ordained Priest at All Saints’ Cathedral in Halifax by Most Rev. G.F. Kingston, Archbishop of Nova Scotia and primate of Canada.

Rev. L.A. Dignan served his first parish, the Parish of Port Hill, for four years before enlisting in the Canadian Chaplain Corp on September 1, 1952. He then became Chaplain to the armed forces in Korea for eleven months, returning to Canada on October 18, 1953. After serving in Calgary and Toronto, he was posted to the Middle East for one year. He then returned to the Toronto posting from which, due to his health, he retired in September 1963. Rev. L.A. Dignan returned to the Diocese of Nova Scotia and served in the Parish of Timberlea- Lakeside from 1963 to 1968. Following then, he was rector of St. Barnabas Parish, Blandford for two years. On August 23, 1971 he retired due to failing health. He passed away at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, after having suffered a massive heart attack, on June 4, 1983.

On May 22, 1940, Rev. Leslie Dignan married Ruth Estelle Rayner who was born May 1, 1907, the daughter of Robert and Sarah Anne Rayner of Cascumpec, Prince Edward Island. Ruth, a registered nurse who graduated from the P.E..I. Hospital in 1932, has worked in a number of Canadian cities including Charlottetown, Vancouver and Toronto, having held the position of Superintendent of Nurses on at least three different occasions. While at Falconwood Hospital in Charlottetown, under the direction of Dr. A.J. Murchison, she established and trained the first LNA class on P.E.I.

During her years in the Parish of Port Hill, Ruth has been a strong supporter of her husband’s ministry. In recognition of her contribution to the Women’s Auxiliary, she was awarded a Life Membership in 1953. Her experience in this Parish is best reflected in these, her own words: "Years spent in the Parish of Port Hill were most inspiring. We loved our people and always remained deeply grateful for the genuine Christian direction and example we

received. As we left, we prayed that God would bless and strengthen each member of the

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