Image: Thomas Burrows, 1939 (SPRA 2005.094.03)
Regiment: R. C. A. M. C. 4th Casualty Clearing Station
Regiment No.: M25812
Rank: Sergeant
Thomas Burrows, born in 1911, arrived in Canada from Glasgow, Scotland in 1927 with his father, Robert Burrows, step-mother, Mary (Pollock) Burrows, and his siblings. The family started farming in the Glen Leslie district, near Bezanson AB. Before the Second World War, Thomas worked on the farm, and for local farmers in Bezanson. He also homesteaded for 3 years in the Fitzsimmons district.
On September 9, 1939 Thomas joined the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. He was then stationed overseas on January 25, 1940. Due to medical reasons, he was sent home to Edmonton. Diagnosed with lip cancer, he received treatment in England. Thomas returned to Edmonton on February 26, 1941 and then worked at Prince of Wales Armories. After that, he was in Suffield AB at an Experimental Station for 4 ½ years. Thomas was discharged in Calgary on October 1, 1945. Six more of his siblings also served in the war.
Thomas married Vera Rees of Edmonton. Moving back north, the couple farmed in the Crystal Creek district. (Between Bezanson and Grande Prairie.) Then they returned to Edmonton where Thomas worked for the government. He retired in 1975, and they moved to Ladysmith BC, where he passed away 2 years later at age 66. Thomas and Vera had 10 children.
Source: Smoky River to Grande Prairie pp. 422 and 448
AGS Website – Obituary Index
SPRA Family Reference Files – written by Helen Burrows Horrigan, including photo
Source: Smoky River to Grande Prairie pg. 422
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.