Remembrance Day is fast approaching, and the Western Producer is marking the occasion in this week’s Farm Living section. A story by Sheri Hathaway on page 17 looks at government efforts during both world wars to recruit women to work on farms to fill the gap left by men joining the armed forces. On pages […] Read more
Tag Archives Remembrance Day
Canada’s war brides remembered
War veteran nears 100th birthday
The aircraft mechanic from Saskatchewan was posted in England, Holland and Germany during the Second World War
MAPLE CREEK, Sask. — In December 1942, just days before Christmas and days after his 19th birthday, Robert Tracy Cross left the family farm and headed five miles into Yorkton, Sask. There, he signed up for the war effort. “I figured maybe they needed a little more help,” said the Second World War veteran who […] Read more
Wartime experiences not forgotten
Author’s father served in Yugoslavia’s military during the Second World War before he was captured by the Germans
Remembrance Day always has a special meaning for me. As a boy growing up in rural Manitoba, I recall taking in the ceremonies at our local school and pausing at the appropriate time to honour those who gave their lives during military conflict. Then, as a member of a local air cadet squadron, I participated […] Read more
First World War shaped future of ag
Conscription and a price crash following the war fuelled the anger that sparked the ‘farmers revolt’ of the 1920s
The “war to end all wars” ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 — 100 years ago. It extracted a tremendous toll on Canadians. Nearly 61,000 were killed and another 172,000 were wounded over its four-year duration. It irrevocably changed the direction of the country and the […] Read more
When the Hathaways went to war
Surviving letters from one of two prairie brothers shed light on the tragic experiences of Canadian soldiers in the First World War
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice Agreement, which ended the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918. When it began in 1914, most thought it would be a brief skirmish. “I’ll be home by Christmas” was the phrase used often by volunteers. On their homesteads west of Lloydminster, two […] Read more
War challenged curious farmer, pilot
Military life suited Malcolm McLean’s restless curiosity and need for challenge. He was farming outside of Dewberry, Alta., in the fall of 1939 when Canada entered the Second World War. Of the first local boys to sign up, he joined the 16/22 Saskatchewan Horse Infantry and took his basic training at Dundurn, Sask. By December […] Read more
Carved memorial honours veterans
ESTEVAN, Sask. — What started out as a small request from one oil patch worker to another has turned into a $60,000 memorial project that has captured the imaginations of veterans and the public alike. Estevan oilfield worker Lester Hinzman grew up hearing Second World War stories from his father, who landed in Normandy on […] Read more
