Regimental Number: M562851
Bill, born on May 25, 1917 at Bezanson, was the oldest of Peter and Catherine (nee Grant) Moon’s four children; Jack 1921, Mary 1922, Joyce 1927. Peter had arrived in the Bezanson area in January 1912 and filed a homestead application on SW 27-71-3-W6. On March 4, 1914, Peter married Catherine Grant (originally from PEI) in Edmonton and returned to the homestead where they lived in a log house with a sod roof for a decade or more.
Bill attended school for one year at the Somme School held in the Glen Leslie Church; however when the Bezanson School was moved closer to the Moon’s residence, Bill transferred to Bezanson where he completed up and including Grade 8. Grade 9 was completed in a Grande Prairie School.
Bill enrolled in a 30-day training course with the Non-Permanent Active Militia Canada on January 7, 1941 in Grande Prairie. His family stated he was subsequently sent to eastern Canada for additional training following which he returned to the farm in Bezanson.
On June 30, 1941, Bill married Ida Lee from Beaverlodge. They had three children, Deryle (April 28, 1943), Cheryl (October 25, 1946) and Gurth (October 13, 1952). Bill farmed and raised cattle in partnership with his uncle, A.F. Christie for five years. From 1940 to 1950, Bill farmed and trucked followed by ten years in the sawmill business with his father, Peter. In 1962, Bill sold some of his land and moved his family to Grande Prairie where he worked as a carpenter. He sold the last of his land in 1975. Bill passed away in 1986 and was cremated. Ida passed away in 2009 and was also cremated.
Note: Library & Archives Canada does not have any record of additional Military service other than the 30 day training course in Grande Prairie however the family states Bill was sent to Eastern Canada for further training once the training in Grande Prairie was finished.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Service File
Interview with Gurth Moon (son)