Regiment: A. A. (Anti-Aircraft)
Rank: Gunner
Force: Royal Canadian Air Force
Born on April 26, 1918, in the La Glace area, Thomas was the 5th of 10 children of Joe and Matilda (Grammage). He attended the Northfield and Blooming Valley Schools. Not exactly a model student, he unfortunately was expelled from school, so he worked on the farm, and at sawmills. At age 18, he took a homestead between La Glace and Valhalla Centre on NW 26-74-9-W6. Joining the air force during WW II, he was posted overseas for five years, holding the position of Gunner. When he was wounded, he was mistaken for dead and placed with the soldiers who were taken to the morgue. Luckily he revived, and was taken to the hospital instead. In 1948 Thomas married Gladys Christenson. They had 6 children: Garry, Judy, Allan, Sharlene, Tanis and Shari. Thomas’ nephew, Murray, came to live with the family in 1954, because Murray’s mother passed away. In his lifetime, Thomas enjoyed horses, riding in rodeos, trail rides, cattle drives and big game guiding. Once while moose hunting, his horse was shot from under him, but fortunately Thomas survived! As a long-time resident of Valhalla, Thomas was very involved with his community. He was a County Councilor for 6 years, on the County School Board, and was a Life Member of the Hythe Legion. Thomas was the Colour Guard in the Remembrance Day Parade, and member of the Old Timers Association and the Rural Crime Watch. He is also remembered as the milk and potato delivery man in his community. At age 94 Thomas died on June 15, 2012 in Fairview.
Source: La Glace – Yesterday and Today p.p. 14, 237-238 (photos), 266, 315 (name in list of WW II veterans)
Personal and Family Life Reference Files – Obituary (Fairview Post – June 27, 2012); News article about Farnsworth family