Image: George Burrows, 1940 (SPRA 2005.094.07)
Regiment: Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Regiment No.: M/66193
Rank: Gunner
George Burrows was born in Glasgow, Scotland on September 9, 1923. He came to Canada with his parents, Robert and Mary (Pollock) Burrows, and siblings in 1927, and they settled on a farm in the Glen Leslie district by Bezanson AB. He attended the Somme School from 1930 to 1939, and then worked and stayed on the farm until he enlisted in WW II in 1941. (7 Burrows/Pollock siblings served in WW II). Signing up in Edmonton, he took basic training in Camrose AB, and then to Brandon MB, and Sussex NB. George joined the R.C.H. Artillery and was posted overseas to different parts of England. In July 1944 he sailed for France and was wounded while serving in Belgium, and spent time in hospital. He returned to his regiment just 2 weeks before the end of the war. Going back to Holland, he stayed there until he was discharged February 6, 1946. George also served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952, and in the Peacetime Army from 1956 to 1959. He moved to Victoria BC, and then to Calgary AB, where he died in the Holy Cross Hospital on February 17, 1992, at age 68. He was buried in the Field of Honor in Queen’s Park Cemetery in Calgary.
Source: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 448
p. 422 Photo as child with siblings David, Leslie and Helen
G.P. Daily Herald Tribune February 27, 1992 – Obituary
SPRA Family Reference Files – information written by Helen Burrows Horrigan (sister) – photo of George in uniform
Portrait and biographical information available here
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.