Image: The Wapiti Lodge built as a dormitory for out of town students attending Grande Prairie High School, ca. 1955 (SPRA 032.08.08.0225)
Rank: Private
Regimental Number: WM109277
Doris, born on July 21, 1936, was the 2nd oldest in Rene and Annie Oe’s family of five children. She had an older brother, Ralph, younger brothers Donald and Gerald and a younger sister, Gale. Doris’ grandparents, Rene Sr. and Agatha Oe were originally from Luxembourg and immigrated to Canada in 1919. Doris’ parents, Rene Jr. and Annie, lived on NE 19-72-3-W6 and farmed Rene’s parents land in an area of Bezanson known as East Kleskun. The children all attended the East Kleskun School where Doris completed Grade 9. She played on the local softball team. Doris reveled in farm life – she especially enjoyed the livestock and was an avid horseback rider. The favorite time of year for Doris was the harvest season. She, along with her siblings, would stook the bundles in preparation of the arrival of the threshing machine. As well, fall was the time to harvest all the fresh vegetables from the garden. In order to attend high school, Doris had to stay at the Wapiti Dorm in Grande Prairie. She graduated from High School and then went to work as a clerk in a Variety Store.
Doris enrolled with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps on January 9, 1956 at Edmonton and spent one year at Camp Borden and Kingston in Ontario. Doris passed her Medical Assistant Group 1 course in April 56 and Medical Assistant Group 2 in April 1957. Shortly thereafter, she was posted to the Military Hospital at Whitehorse, Yukon where she spent 1 ½ years. Most of Doris’ employment was in maternity, nursery and pediatrics. While in Whitehorse, she met Joe Guerette whom she married in 1958. Private Doris Guerette Regimental # WM109277 served in Canada and was honorably released on May 28, 1958 at Calgary.
Doris and Joe lived in various locations; Wainwright, Grande Prairie, Prince Rupert and Montreal, Quebec. Doris and Joe had four children; Alan, Gary, Debbie and Janice. They were blessed with four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Doris mainly worked in the caring profession; nursing, home care and as a youth-care counselor. Joe passed away in 2005. Doris is currently living in Grande Prairie.
Written by Wanda Zenner
References:
Service File
Smoky River to Grande Prairie History Book
Interview with Doris (Oe) Guerette
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.