Fonds 131 Eddie & Margaret Schadeck fonds

Eddie & Margaret Schadeck fonds. — 1919-1949. — 15 cm of textual records. — 202 photographs.


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Biographical Sketch

Eddie Schadeck and Margaret Stevens were born in 1907 and were young adults when the Great Depression started in 1929—Eddie living in the Wembley area of the Peace River Country and Margaret in Ontario.

They were 32 years old when the second world war started. Eddie signed up right away after war was declared, but Margaret waited until 1942. At the time she signed up, she was listed as a student. They met when Margaret was training for the Canadian Women Army Corps at Barriefield, Ontario, where Eddie was stationed at the time.

After the war, Eddie and Margaret married in 1946 and farm on land obtained through the Veteran’s Land Act. Their farm was located south of Huallen in the Wembley area. In the 1950s, they moved to Salmon Arm, where they lived until Margaret passed away in 1999. Eddie lived for two more years, until 2001.

Custodial History

The records were inherited by Mr. Schadeck’s nephew, David Schadeck of Wembley Alberta, after Eddie passed away in 2001. David donated the collection to the Grande Prairie Museum and Grande Prairie Regional Archives in 2002.

Scope and Content

The fonds consists of personal papers and photographs from both Eddie Schadeck and Margaret Stevens, mostly from their service in World War II before they were married; photographs of a group of recruits in front of the Quartermasters Stores and the Barracks at Grande Prairie; a collection of army literature, photographs, and postcards about the liberation of Paris and Holland; papers and photographs pertaining to their farm at Wembley after they returned to Alberta.

Notes

Title based on the contents of the fonds.
Military artefacts and personal items belonging to Eddie & Margaret Schadeck can be found in the Grande Prairie Museum collections.
Military artefacts belonging to Edward Schadeck can also be found at the Okanagan Military Museum, British Columbia.

Table of Contents

Series 131.01 Eddie Schadeck, personal papers
Series 131.02 Margaret Stevens, personal papers
Series 131.03 World War II collection
Series 131.04 Shadeck farm, Wembley AB
Series 131.01 Eddie Schadeck, personal papers. — 1942 -1946. — 1 cm of textual records. — 15 photographs.Edward Schadeck (Regtl. No. M-60047) was born in Stony Plain, Alberta, to George and Lydia (Riske) Schadeck. There were five children in the family: Fred, Elsa (who died in 1930) Emma, Otto and Eddie. Eddie attended school first in Garden Valley, then in Lower Beaverlodge after the family moved to Wembley in 1928. The Schadecks farmed on the NW-27-70-9 W6th during the Great Depression, and in 1939 Otto and Eddie enlisted in World War II. Otto served in Canada, but Eddie was overseas for most of the war. Evidence suggests he was based in England and saw action in Holland, France and Africa. He attained the rank of Sergeant in 1942 and Corporal in 1944, serving as a Turner (machinist) in the Royal Canadian Engineers M.E. It was while Eddie was in training at Barriefield, Ontario in 1942 that he met Margaret Stevens.The series consists of personal papers and photographs from Eddie Schadeck pertaining to his service in World War II, his life in the Wembley area, and his trapping activities in the Two Lakes region of northern Alberta.
 
Edward Schadeck, 1939 c.
1 photograph; colour; 8 x 10
Head & shoulders portrait of Eddie Schadeck in WW II uniform
Location: 0131.01.01
Basic Training, 1939 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 6 x 9
Group photograph of male soldiers in front of the Department Stores at the army barracks.
Location: 0131.01.02
Basic Training, 1939 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 6 x 9
Group photograph of male and female soldiers behind the army barracks.
Location: 0131.01.03
Basic Training, 1939 c.
1 negative; b & w; 4 x 5 cm
Company of soldiers in uniform in front of the barracks.
Location: 0131.01.04
World War II March Past, 1942 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 5 x 7
Company of soldiers in tropical uniform marching down an Edmonton street.
Location: 0131.01.05
Portrait of a Friend, 1945 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 6 x 8
Casual portrait of an unidentified friend against a background of trees.
Location: 0131.01.06
Canadian Ordnance Corps, 1942
1 photograph; b & w; 7 x 35
Panoramic photograph of Canadian Ordnance Corps, Artisan Wing, in front of the Training Centre at Kingston, Ontario in June, 1942.
Location: 0131.01.07
Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, 1942
1 photograph; b & w; 7 x 35
Panoramic photograph of Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps in front of the Training Centre at Barriefield, Ontario in April, 1942.
Location: 0131.01.08
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Series 131.02 Margaret Stevens, personal papers. — 1919-1948. — 2 cm of textual records. — 30 photographs.Margaret Alma Stevens (Regtl. No. W3225) was born July 8, 1907, in Easton’s Corners, Ontario. She attended school there until Grade 9, later taking a course in Business College in Ottawa. Her parents, Mr. & Mrs. William Stevens, lived at Kemptville, ON when she enlisted in WW II at Kingston, ON. in 1942. Margaret joined the Canadian Women Army Corps (CWAC), No. 7 Company, and trained at Barriefield, ON in 1943, where she met Eddie Schadeck. She served as a clerk at Fort Frontenac, Kingston until her discharge in 1946. Her interests included riding horses and writing poetry and songs. Margaret started army correspondence courses while at Barriefield and continued them in Brockville, ON after she was discharged, and in Wembley after her marriage.The series consists of Margaret’s Soldier’s Service and Pay Book and Discharge Certificate, various army documents, a clerk’s filing manual, some poetry and songs, a folder of correspondence including some valentine and Easter cards, some religious booklets, and a copy of Canadian Mother and Child sent to her by the Department of National Health and Welfare in 1948. Photographs include two army photographs, two photographs of the staff and buildings at Barriefield Training Base, one panoramic photograph of No. 7 COY. C.W.A.C., Barriefield, Ont. Sept. 1943, and several snapshots of herself and family members. There are also approximately 20 unidentified photographs, including one of a Lance Corporal from the British Commonwealth Army in World War I.
 
Margaret Stevens, Canadian Women’s Army Corps, 1942 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10
Head and shoulders portrait of Margaret Stevens in army uniform.
Location: 0131.02.01
Electrical Mechanical Engineers Training School Headquarters, 1944
1 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10
Photograph of the headquarters of the Electrical Mechanical Engineers Training School at Barriefield, Ontario.
Location: 0131.02.02
Electrical Mechanical Engineers Training School Staff, 1944
1 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10
Composite of staff photographs from the Electrical Mechanical Engineers Training School at Barriefield, Ontario.
Location: 0131.02.03
No. 7 Coy, Canadian Women’s Army Corps, 1943
1 photograph; b & w; 7 x 28
Panoramic photograph of No. 7 COY, C.W.A.C. in front of the Training Centre at Barriefield, Ontario, in September, 1942.
Location: 0131.02.04
 
The Canadian Mother and Child, 1947
booklet
Includes care of the expectant mother, the baby’s arrival, the care of the baby, and the ideal baby.
Location: 0131.02
Your Baby’s Teeth, 1945 c.
booklet
Written in story form comparing the dental and physical health of two babies.
Location: 0131.02
Your Child’s Teeth, 1946
pamphlet
For improvement in dental health, the Department of National Health and Welfare recommends…
Location: 0131.02
The Fellowship of Prayer, 1946
booklet
Devotional booklet and readings for the Lenten Season in 1946.
Location: 0131.02
Steps to Christ: Army, Navy and Air Force Edition, 1922
booklet
Instructional booklet given out to members of the armed forces.
Location: 0131.02
Poems of Comfort, Faith and Hope, 1940 c.
booklet
A “Golden Thoughts” booklet likely produced during war-time
Location: 0131.02
Office Specialty Filing Instruction Course, 1940 c.
booklet
Specially prepared for use in Business Colleges and Commercial High Schools
Location: 0131.02
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Series 131.03 World War II collection. — 1939-1946. — 6 cm of textual records.The series consists of World War II postcards from overseas, a collection of unidentified photographs taken overseas, World War II literature given out to soldiers, and correspondence booklets for courses given to service personnel.
SubSeries 131.03.01 World War II postcards. — 1939-1945. — 122 postcards.The sub-series consists of postcards sold as tourist and war souvenirs in various European cities: Nottingham, England; Paris, France; Poperinge and Ghent, Belgium; Angers, France; Leipzig, Germany; and a set of collectors cards on the Zeppelin-Weltfahrten, the airship produce in Germany.
SubSeries 131.03.02 World War II photographs. — 1939-1946. — 157 photographs.The sub-series consists of unidentified photographs and negatives taken during the war years. Some have been tentatively identified as the Grande Prairie training barracks; the training centers at Edmonton, Barriefield and Kingston; and European cities such as Zwolle, Netherlands and London, England.
 
Grande Prairie WW II Army Barracks, 1939 c.
18 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified groups and individual soldiers at the WW II barracks across from the Armoury on 90 Avenue and 101 Street, Grande Prairie.
Location: 0131.03.02.001-18
Military Training Stations in Canada, 1940 c.
38 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified buildings and soldiers at what appears to be military training centres–could be Edmonton (Prince of Wales Armoury), Kingston, Barriefield and Fort Frontenac.
Location: 0131.03.02.019-56
Soldiers on Training Exercises, 1940 c.
9 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified soldiers in what appears to be training exercises.
Location: 0131.03.02.057-65
Ships and Submarines in World War II, 1940 c.
8 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified negatives of ships and submarines during World War II.
Location: 0131.03.02.066-73
Tanks and Guns in World War II, 1940 c.
3 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified negatives of tanks and guns during World War II.
Location: 0131.03.02.074-76
Cars, Trucks and Trains in World War II, 1940 c.
8 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified negatives of cars, trucks and trains during World War II.
Location: 0131.03.02.077-84
Soldiers at Leisure in the Park, 1940 c.
17 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified negatives of soldiers in a natural setting which appears to be a park.
Location: 0131.03.02.085-101
Soldiers and their Girls, 1940 c.
16 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified negatives of male and female soldiers at leisure in a natural setting.
Location: 0131.03.02.102-117
Serving in Europe during World War II, 1940 c.
8 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified negatives of a European countryside and town–could be Zwolle, Netherlands where Mr. Schadeck may have spent some time.
Location: 0131.03.02.118-125
Serving in Europe during World War II, 1940 c.
15 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified negatives of European cities and landmarks.
Location: 0131.03.02.126-140
Miscellaneous Soldiers Photographs, 1940 c.
9 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified photographs of soldiers at various activities.
Location: 0131.03.02.141-149
Miscellaneous Photographs from Europe during World War II, 1940 c.
8 negatives; b & w; 4 x 5
Unidentified photographs of Europe taken by Eddie Schadeck during World War II.
Location: 0131.03.02.150-157
SubSeries 131.03.03 World War II literature. — 1939-1946. — 4 cm of textual records.The sub-series consists of literature printed by the Department of National Defence or Canadian Military Headquarters and given to soldiers as educational material. It falls into several categories: general information like a Dutch language dictionary, map reading instructions and protection against VD; military information such as Canadian Army Instructions, military training pamphlets, and precautions to be taken in the event of capture; war-time publications such as “Current Affairs,” “Learn to Use Enemy Weapons” and “War Battle Report;” specific information needed for your army career (in this case machinist), and discharge information.
 
Speak Dutch, 1940 c.
booklet
“Try to make yourself understood by your allies and friends in their own language.”
Location: 0131.03.03.01
Precautions to be Taken in the Event of Capture, 1943
brochure
Includes information that shoud be given in the event of capture by the enemy, what the enemy will try to find out, sources used by the enemy, “don’ts”, and rights of prisoners.
Location: 0131.03.03.02
Amalgamated Engineering Reference Tables, 1940 c.
booklet
A war-time production labeled “Efficient production is the key to Victory.” It was accurately compiled for toolroom inspection department, machine shop and drawing office use.
Location: 0131.03.03.03
The Starrett Book for Motor Machinists and Auto Repairmen, 1934
booklet
Information “as would aid the man in the service station or repair shop in gaining a better understanding of the uses, methods of operation and the value of machine and precision tools.
Location: 0131.03.03.04
Mines and Booby Traps, 1943
booklet
Military training pamphlet No. 40, Part 1 (All Arms) on how to deal with individual mechanisms.
Location: 0131.03.03.05
The Care and Operation of a Lathe, 1942
booklet
“The purpose of this manual is to enable the beginner to understand the modern metal-cutting lathe, its parts and their functions… has the essential “do’s and don’t’s” and is exceptionally complete in its tool grinding charts.
Location: 0131.03.03.06
Hints on Map Reading Instruction, 1943
booklet
Issued to help junior instructors in the teaching of map reading.
Location: 0131.03.03.07
Protection Against VD, 1944
booklet
“Verereal Diseases can be a weapon of war, like bullets, shells or gas. This is because it causes casualties, loss of valuable training time…”
Location: 0131.03.03.08
Military Training Pamphlet No. 40, 1943
booklet
“Part I (All Arms), Amendments (No.5)” to descriptions of enemy arms found in military training pamphlet No. 40.
Location: 0131.03.03.09
Small Arms Training, 1939
booklet
Volume 1, Pamphlet No. 8 regarding Mortar (2 inch)
Location: 0131.03.03.10
Learn to Use Enemy Weapons, No. 3, 1940 c.
booklet
For 7-9 mm anti-tank rifle and 5 cm mortar.
Location: 0131.03.03.11
Learn to Use Enemy Weapons, No. 2, 1940 c.
booklet
For dual purpose MG (MG34), and dual purpose MG (MG42).
Location: 0131.03.03.12
Canadian Army Training Pamphlet No. 1, 1940
booklet
“A general instructional background for the young soldier.”
Location: 0131.03.03.13
Demolitions Made Easy, 1940 c.
pamphlet
How to calculate and place charges, a guide to demolitions by task, explosives by weights and sizes.
Location: 0131.03.03.14
The Machinery of Re-establishment, 1945
booklet
Charts picturing the choices available to soldiers after navy, army and RCAF demobilization; assistance for rehabilitation, jobs, training, Veteran’s Land Act, business, credit and other benefits.
Location: 0131.03.03.15
War Battle Report, 1943
booklet
Operational account of 10 days in the life of a parachute battalion in North Africa.
Location: 0131.03.03.16
Current Affairs: North African Resources, 1943
booklet
Information on North Africa: the strategic position, the products, the people, and their economic role in the war.
Location: 0131.03.03.17
Learn to Use Enemy Weapons, No. 7, 1940 c.
booklet
For stick grenade (model 24), egg grenade, smoke hand grenade, 27 mm signal pistol and rifle discharger cup.
Location: 0131.03.03.18
Learn to Use Enemy Weapons, No. 4, 1940 c.
booklet
For light infantry gun and heavy infantry gun.
Location: 0131.03.03.19
Learn to Use Enemy Weapons, No. 1, 1940 c.
booklet
For machine pistol (MP 38), self loading rifle (Gewehr 41 W), and self loading pistols (08 and 38).
Location: 0131.03.03.20
SubSeries 131.03.04 World War II correspondence courses. — 1939-1946. — 2 cm of textual records.The sub-series consists of 9 text booklets, courses in mathematics, social studies and English for service personnel. There is also a file of completed assignments.
 
Courses for Service Personnel, 1943
booklets
Nine text-booklets for correspondence courses to assist army personnel in upgrading secondary level skills in English, Social Studies and Mathematics.
Location: 0131.03.04
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Series 131.04 Shadeck farm, Wembley AB. — 1946-1949. — .5 cm of textual records.The series consists of correspondence and receipts from Soldiers’ Settlement Board regarding Eddie’s farm in the Wembley area.
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