LEST WE FORGET 341 SIMMONS, Earl Kenneth “Ken” WWII Ken was born in the Moose Jaw area in 1919 and grew up in the Quincy District south of Moose Jaw. He was a Leading Aircraftsman on active service with the RCAF from 1941 to 1945, serving in the United Kingdom. Sergeant Simmons received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Defence of Britain Medal and War Medal 1939-1945. From June 1948 to June 1953, he was a Munitions and Weapons Technician with the RCAF. Ken was Honourably Discharged in 1953 and later took up farming in the Mortlach and Brownlee Districts. Ken farmed until his death in 2008. SMITH, Geoffrey Dale “Geoff” WWII Geoff was born on November 15, 1913 to Stephen Scott Smith and Eleanor May on the family homestead in the Last Mountain District. He married Margaret McNeill, a teacher, in 1939. They had three children: Donald, Marjorie and Charles. Shortly after their marriage in 1941, Geoff joined the Army. At 27 years of age, he served with the First Division in England, Scotland, as well as the invasion of Sicily, Italy and Europe. Geoff was a farmer for most of his life and was actively involved in The Royal Canadian Legion. He passed away on May 22, 2010 after a short illness. SIMPKINS, Kenneth “Gabby” WWII Gabby was born on September 14, 1921. He was a part of the 19th Field Regiment from Kitchener, ON, and was one of the members of the first troops to land on Normandy Beach during the D-Day invasion. His efforts continued as he served with the Canadian Forces, who liberated Holland before arriving home to Moose Jaw. Gabby married the love of his life, Laurine, in 1956 and they had three children together. He retired from CPR in 1983 after 42 years of service. Gabby enjoyed his morning coffee with friends, walking his dogs, telling a story and making anyone smile. He passed away on March 17, 2016.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==