Date of Birth: 16/03/1923

Branch: Air Force
Buffalo Trails p.7

• Joins Air Force

Force: Canadian Women’s Army Corps

Renie Bohn’s parents were Fred Bohn and Agnes Gibson of La Glace AB area. She was born in 1923, and she had 2 brothers, Jack and Jim. (Jim also served in WW II). During the war she participated with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, and afterwards she married Orvin Samuelson, who also served overseas and was in the Air Force. They had 4 children. For a while Renie and Orvin operated a store in La Glace, which they later sold. They farmed in the Buffalo Lake district until 1959, and then moved to Bear Canyon. They retired in Fairview AB. Renie passed away in July 2004 at age 81, in Fairview.
Source: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 1149 – Roll of Honour WW II
La Glace – Yesterday and Today p. 64
GP AGS – Obituary Index (Samuelson)

• Blog Post

For King and Country poster in Wembley

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Source: Beaverlodge High Year Book 1947-48 p.26

For King and Country poster in Wembley, Lake Saskatoon Reflections pg. 203

Date of Birth: 1916

For King and Country poster in Wembley

For King and Country poster in Wembley

from the Isle of Man

Edward “Eddie” Schadeck was born in 1907 and was a young adult living in the Wembley area when the Great Depression started in 1929. Eddie was 32 years old when the second world war started and signed up right away to serve. He met his future wife, Margaret, 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.

• Eddie & Margaret Schadeck fonds

Margaret Stevens was born in 1907 and was a young adult living in Ontario when the Great Depression started in 1929. Margaret enlisted in 1942; at the time, she was listed as a student. She met her future husband, Eddie, 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 & Margaret Schadeck fonds
• Blog Post

Lived in Wembley

• Eddie & Margaret Schadeck fonds

Date of Birth: 1919
Notes: 79-26-W5, 1959

Date of Birth: 1924

Date of Birth: 04/05/1920 ?

Date of Birth: 03/05/1925 ?

Source: Beaverlodge High Year Book 1947-48 p.26

Date of Birth: 21 May 1923
Birth Place: Grande Prairie Alta
Service Number: J91095
Force: Air
Regiment: Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank: Pilot Officer
Killed in Action: 22 June 1944

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

For King and Country poster in Wembley

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Notes: 79-23-W5, 1958

Date of Birth: 19/06/1926

Date of Birth: 14/06/1917

Date of Birth: 09/11/1925

Date of Birth: 1922

From Grande Prairie

• Leaves for Edmonton

.

• Recruits Join the Colors

Service Number: M17189
Edmonton Regiment

• On Leave

.

• List of Recruits

Rank:Private
Service No: M/8545
Date of Death: 27 Dec 1944
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Regiment

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Date of Birth: 28/07/1922

Sergeant
Army
Bezanson, Alberta
Died: November 24, 1943
Commemorated at: Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, Italy

Paul Smashnuk, born on July 14, 1919 at Andrew, Alberta, moved with his family to a homestead in an area of Bezanson known as Lindsay. Paul completed his education at the one-room Lindsay School following which, he worked on the family farm and trapped during the winter months. Paul decided to branch out on his own and found employment as an equipment operator and mechanic in Nanton, Alberta. On September 13, 1939, Paul answered the call of duty to Country and enlisted in Edmonton with the 92nd Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery. He was subsequently transferred to the 3rd Field Regiment where he served as a Sergeant during the Second World War. Paul arrived in England on December 11, 1939 where he remained until June 15, 1943 at which time he was sent to Italy. After the success of the Sicilian Campaign, the invasion of the Italian mainland was the next operation. The 1st Canadian Division, along with the 8th British Army, led the way across the Strait of Messina to the toe of Italy and then advanced towards the Gustav Line which was a series of concrete bunkers and artillery positions on the rocky slopes of mountains fronted by a no-man's-land of barbed wire and land mines. The Canadians found themselves in the central mountain range where they met fierce German resistance along the Sangro River. Two batteries of the 3rd Canadian Field Regiment pushed forward with mules that pulled the battalion’s three-inch mortars and machine-guns down the muddy slopes. On November 24th, the thunder of guns of nine artillery regiments rolled through the valleys; however, by mid-afternoon, the progress was delayed by heavy enemy shelling. Sergeant Paul Smashnuk died on November 24, 1943 and is commemorated at the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, Italy.

Son of Peter Smashnuk and Elena (nee Frunchak) Smashnuk of Bezanson, Alberta; brother of Nick Smashnuk, William Smashnuk, Eli Smashnuk, Dorothy (nee Smashnuk) Hotte, George Smashnuk, Mary (nee Smashnuk) Norton, Donald Smashnuk, Leon Smashnuk and Doreen (nee Smashnuk) Somotonk, predeceased by brother Harry Smashnuk; common-law husband of Rose (nee Kokotailo) Danyluk, father of Paul Smashnuk-Danyluk, both of Andrew, Alberta; he was 24 years old.

Citations: 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp.

Written by Wanda Zenner
January 2019

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Canadian Virtual War Memorial
• The Herald-Tribune, December 2, 1943
• Blog Post

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Birth Date: 4 Apr 1919
Birth Place: Cork, Ireland
Residence: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Service Number: M16001
Force: Army
Regiment: Loyal Edmonton R.C.I.C.
Rank: Lance Corporal
Killed in Action: 11 Dec 1943
*Served in war as Patrick Murphy according to attestation papers

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• First Recruits attached to Edmonton Unit

Regimental Number: R105793
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: RCAF

Rank: Flying Officer
Trade: Air Gnr.
Service No: J/17725
Killed in Action: 14 Jan 1944
Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force 514 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

• Commonwealth War Graves

Private

• Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Source: Pioneer Round-Up pg. 100
From Hythe

• Leaves for Edmonton

Stoker

Tpr. B

Flt, Lieut.

Edmonton Regiment

• Recruits Visit Family While on Leave
• List of Recruits
• On Leave

Served for five years, became Squadron Leader.

• Decorated by the King

Date of Birth: 1923
From Buffalo Lakes

• Joins Air Force

Jack Spry was born in Sexsmith, Alberta, the son of Walter & Rose Spry.
Jack served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for five years during World War II. He was certifed as a wireless operator in 1941, became a certified Wireless air-gunner in 1942, and later that same year a S.E. Coastal Operator.
In 1943 Jack was stationed near India. One day out on anti-sub patrol with pilot Sgt. Gallagher they sighted lifeboats and fourteen survivors of the S.S. Montanan. In attempting a landing their hull was damaged in a heavy swell. This had them scrambling into a rubber dinghy and in need of rescue. The lifeboats they had been sent to rescue came to their aid. On June 9th, after 2 days and 7 hours adrift, they were rescued by Catalinas Y & G and later made landfall at Marsira.

After the war Jack returned to the Sexsmith area, where he farmed until his death at the age of 57 on Aug. 14, 1980. He was buried at the Emerson Trail Cemetery.

• John Ernest Spry fonds
• Blog Post

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Date of Birth: 30/01/1918

Date of Birth: 08/09/1904

.

• Recruits Join the Colors

From Sexsmith
Wagon Trails Grown Over p.701

• Celebrates Birthday
• On Leave

Date of Birth: 30/09/1920
Notes: SW-18-81-6-W6, 15-11-47, V Ag Lease

Date of Birth: 26/06/1917

• Home on Leave

Date of Birth: 28/03/1918

Date of Birth: 26/12/1921

Date of Birth: 17/09/1925

Notes: SE 25-82-2-W6, 2/1/55, VH Lease

• Recruits Join the Colors
• Sexsmith Recruits (1940)

Source: Pioneer Round Up pg. 378

.

• Recruits Join the Colors

Date of Birth: 03/12/1925
Regimental Number: M4254

Date of Birth: 02/12/1918

Branch: Army

• 5 Brothers in the Army

In Edmonton

• 5 Brothers in the Army

Joined up in Grande Prairie.

• 5 Brothers in the Army

RAF

• 5 Brothers in the Army

Joined up in Grande Prairie.

• Recruits Join the Colors
• 5 Brothers in the Army

From Hythe

• Enroute to Enlist

.

• List of Recruits

.

• On Leave

Birth Date: 16 Jun 1924
Birth Place: Valhalla, Alberta
Residence: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Service Number: R171882
Force: Air
Regiment: Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank: Sergeant
Killed in Action: 16 Dec 1943

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Date of Birth: 28 Sep 1923
Place of Birth: Kelly Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Residence: Kelly Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Service Number: M56287
Force: Army
Regiment: Calgary Highlanders, R.C.I.C.
Rank: Private
Date of Death: 1 Aug 1944
Next of Kin: Johnny Suprenant
Relationship Father

Source: Pioneer Round-Up pg. 92, 100

• Canada War Graves Commission

Private

• Canadian Virtual War Memorial

From Sexsmith

• Sexsmith Boys Send-Off
• On Leave

L-Cpl.
Mentioned in Dispatches for gallantry and distinguished service.

• War Brides Collection
• Award for Gallantry

Brother to Francis.

• Fonds 364 Francis Victor Tanner fonds

Regimental Number: M45546
Date of Birth: 1 April 1921
Place of Birth: Mazenod, Saskatchewan
Enlisted in Grande Prairie, Alberta on 14 June 1940.
Regiment: 29th Canadian Armoured Regiment
When World War II began, Fran enlisted in the South Alberta Regiment and served his country in A Squadron 29th Canadian Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment in NW Europe as a radio operator. He returned to Grande Prairie in 1945 and picked up his interest in sports again. During his first winter home, he was hired by Bill Bessent to help make ice and operate the arena. For a brief time Fran played hockey in the South Peace Hockey League, but he is remembered more as the sports broadcaster on CFGP. His career there began in 1952 as a transmitter operator but soon developed into almost 20 years of announcing hockey games’ play-by-play and providing game analysis and conducting interviews. The South Peace Hockey League recognized his popularity and contributiion to hockey by awarding him The Most Valuable Player, and later he became the first media person to be recognized as a Grande Prairie Hockey Legend. Fran died in Grande Prairie March 27, 1984. Fran was a brother to Vera, wife of Jack Soars, who also became a CFGP radio personality.

• Fonds 364 Francis Victor Tanner fonds
• On Leave
• Blog Post

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Date of Birth: 17 Sept 1920
Birth Place: Rio Grande, Alberta
Residence: Nanaimo B.C.
Service Number: R106683
Force: Air
Regiment: Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank: Warrant Officer Class II
Killed in Action: 5 Apr 1943

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

.

• Recruits Join the Colors
• Sexsmith Recuits (1940)

Date of Birth: 27/06/1918

Source: Pioneer Round-Up pg. 100

.

• Recruits Join the Colors

For King and Country poster in Wembley

For King and Country poster in Wembley

For King and Country poster in Wembley

From Clairmont

• Wounded

For King and Country poster in Wembley

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Branch: Saskatoon Light Infantry
Married Grace Miller in 1941
Date of Death: 1971

• War Brides Collection
• Thomson Wedding Photograph

Artillery

Ordinance Corp

Jack Thorpe enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy Veterans Reserve when he turned 18, at the end of 1941. He served aboard the minesweeper HMCS Bayfield, the Corvette HMCS Orangeville, and HMCS Atholl, a corvette on convoy duty from St. John’s to Londonderry, Ireland.

• Photograph
• Fonds 264 Jack Thorpe, WWII Navy

Radio tech
Branch: RCAF

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Date of Birth: 18/02/1921

.

• Recruits Join the Colors

Date of Birth: 1927

From Smoky Heights

• Leaves for Edmonton

From Smoky Heights

• Leaves for Edmonton

Birth Date: 22 Jul 1904
Birth Place: Fron, Hundorp, Norway
Residence: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Service Number: M41934
Force: Army
Regiment: Royal Canadian Corps of Signals
Rank: Corporal
Killed in Action: 9 Aug 1944

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Birth Date: 12 Jul 1922
Birth Place: Poland
Residence: Lymburn, Alberta
Service Number: M39642
Force: Army
Regiment: Calgary Highlanders, R.C.I.C.
Rank: Private
Killed in Action: 22 Sep 1944

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Source: Pioneer Round-Up pg. 100

Enlisted: 1940

• On Leave

Branch: Army

• Joins Army

For King and Country poster in Wembley

For King and Country poster in Wembley,
Lake Saskatoon Reflections pg. 228

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Date of Birth: 13/02/1916

Date of Birth: 27/03/1911
Notes: 77-25-W5, 1946

Date of Birth: 21/01/1919

AC2
Branch: RCAF

Date of Birth: 11/10/1921

Date of Birth: 1895

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Birth Date: 13 Mar 1921
Birth Place: Laird, Saskatchewan
Residence: Wembley, Alberta
Service Number: M104900
Force: Army
Regiment: Fort Garry Horse, R.C.A.C.
Rank: Trooper
Killed in Action: 18 Jul 1944

For King and Country poster in Wembley

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Corporal

• Canadian Virtual War Memorial

For King and Country poster in Wembley

Notes: D.V.R.
For King and Country poster in Wembley