Regimental Number: M61620
Rank: Lance Corporal
George, born on September 20, 1921, at Hutton, Alberta, was the 3rd oldest in Alfred and Tressie Vinet’s family of five children. He had an older brother, Frank, and one older sister, Margaret, and two younger sisters, Alberta and Jeanette. Alfred decided to move his family to the Peace District after hearing about the possibility of land ownership by means of homestead applications. The family arrived by rail in 1928 and rented land until 1929 when Alfred filed on SE 15-73-3-W6 in an area of Bezanson known as Fitzsimmons. George and his siblings received their education at the Fitzsimmons One-Room School. From 1936 to 1941, George worked on the family farm.
George enlisted with the Royal Canadian Army, Unit RCASC, on February 3, 1941 at Edmonton. He listed his occupation as a Truck Driver and Mechanic. He received his basic training in Edmonton before being transferred to Calgary and then on to Camp Borden in Ontario where he completed courses to become a Qualified Driver I/C Class III. George embarked from Halifax on June 19, 1941 and arrived at Gourock, Scotland on July 2nd. Private/Lance Corporal George Arthur Vinet served in Canada, the United Kingdom, Central Mediterranean Area and Continental Europe. He received the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and the Canadian Volunteer Medal & Clasp. George volunteered for the Pacific Theatre of War; however, it does not appear that his application was accepted. He was discharged on demobilization on October 4, 1945 at Calgary.
George returned to the Grande Prairie area and married Doris Nelson. The couple lived in Clairmont and had one son, Alan. They later divorced and Doris and Alan moved to Salmon Arm, BC. George moved to Edmonton where he remained. He passed away on November 14, 1976 and was buried at the Beechmount Cemetery in Edmonton.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Smoky River to Grande Prairie
Service File
Interview with Lorraine White (daughter of George Vinet’s sister, Margaret)