Image: “Home of Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Pool. Built and occupied in July, 1909. Baby Ralph Pool in foreground, lost his life in the second world war.” ca. 1910 (SPRA 032.08.08.1023)
Ralph was born in Oklahoma in August, 1908. He came to Canada with his parents in 1909. They settled at Beaverlodge and he attended school here. In 1932 he married Kathleen Clarke. They had a son and a daughter.
On April 1, 1944 he enlisted in the navy as a Shpt. 4th Class. He was serving on board the mine sweeper Esquimalt when it was torpedoed, just outside of Halifax, at 6 a.m. April 16, 1945. The ship sank so quickly that none of the sleeping day crew was saved.
Source: Beaverlodge High Year Book 1947-48 p.26
Rank: Shipwright Service No: V/87252 Date of Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve H.M.C.S. Esquimalt
Death:16/04/1945 Age:36
Notes: Son of Clarence O. and Mina R. Pool, of Beaverlodge, Alberta; husband of Kathleen E. Pool, of Edmonton, Alberta.
Soldier Spotlight highlights veterans from the Archives’ online Soldiers’ Memorial. Each week, our volunteers select a remarkable individual to showcase in this blog series. The Soldiers’ Memorial commemorates more than 1,100 WWI veterans and 2,300 WWII veterans from our region. Three dedicated volunteers have contributed over 1,200 hours to this project by researching and writing biographies. Our goal is to have all South Peace soldiers acknowledged for their service. If you know of someone who lived in the South Peace and should be listed on the Memorial, or would like to get involved by researching a local veteran, please contact the Archives.