The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 425 WAGNER, John WWII John was born on June 14, 1920 in the Gregherd School District north of Markinch, SK. He farmed with his family until he enlisted in the Army on January 7, 1942, eventually becoming a member of the Regina Rifles. After training in Vernon, BC and Shilo, MB, he was shipped to the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He participated in the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944 and was taken Prisoner of War on June 8, 1944. He remained in captivity until Europe was liberated by the Allied Forces in 1945. After his discharge in August 1945, he returned to his father’s farm, and eventually purchased a farm of his own under the Veterans’ Land Act. John married in 1946 and had two children. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch Cupar & District 217. John passed away in June 2001. WALKER, Frank Edward WWI & WWII Frank was born in 1893 in Upper Arley, Staffordshire, England. He enlisted in the Army and served as a Private with the Welsh Regiment in Salonika, Greece on the Eastern Front during the First World War. He also served as a cook with Corps Engineers in Chilliwack, BC during the Second World War. Frank was mentioned in dispatches and was awarded the Victory Medal and the British Medal. His records, according to the National Archives in the United Kingdom, were likely lost in the London bombings during the Second World War. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Spiritwood Branch 182. Frank passed away in 1959. WALL, Alexander WWII Alexander was born in 1923. In 1942, he enlisted in the Canadian Army in Prince Albert, SK, served with the Special Services Battalion and later trained in British Columbia and Montana, USA. In October 1943, he was sent to Italy where he served as a Paratrooper and participated in the successful assault on Monte Casino. He was then sent to Anzio where many of the soldiers were disguised as farm boys, hiding in the community, gardening and raising farm animals to feed themselves and the community. Seniors in the area still recall their exploits. Sergeant Wall was killed in action in Italy on May 24, 1944 but was mistakenly buried as an American. He was repatriated and his remains now rest in the Beach Head Cemetery in Anzio, Italy. He was posthumously awarded the Italian Star. “We are richer because of his service and sacrifice – but also poorer due to his loss.”
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