LEST WE FORGET 97 CROCKETT, Emma “Jean” WWII Jean (Head) Crockett was born in Conquest on November 5, 1922. Her parents were Henry and Dora (Sibbald) Head. Her father served Canada in World War I. Jean Crockett served in the Royal Canadian Air Force beginning December 12, 1943 and was “Honourably Released” on November 7, 1946. She was recommended as a wireless operator, obtaining top grouping; she served overseas in RFHQ from March 1946, returning to Canada in July 1946. On discharge, Jean received the War Medal 1939-1945 and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. Her service enlistment report says that Jean was a superior type with keen enthusiasm, self-confidence and interest in RCAF. It is interesting to note on her application that all questions pertaining to her marital status were asked from a male perspective and did not pertain to females. She was definitely one of the early female recruits. Before enlistment, she took a business course in Winnipeg. Then she joined the Airforce taking her basic training in Ottawa, followed by training as a wireless operator in Montreal and Guelph and receiving her wireless operator certificate. Her first post was in Edmonton, then Yorkton, Winnipeg and the next posting was overseas in England. Jean travelled and was able to see a lot of London, Bournemouth, Edinburgh and southern Ireland but did not get to the continent. Coming back to Canada, Jean was posted in Ottawa and then received her discharge. She went to Edmonton and worked with Alberta Government Telephones. She met Ken Crockett and they married in 1948. They had two children: Sharon and Ray. The family moved to Regina in 1954, then to Calgary in 1960. They stayed in Calgary to raise their family and retired there. Both Jean and Ken are deceased. Jean died on August 26, 2007, at the age of 84. CUNNINGHAM, Charles Frederick “Fred” WWI Born in Lakeport, Ontario on April 29, 1887, Charles Frederick Cunningham enlisted in Saskatoon on June 26, 1916, at the age of 29. Always known as Fred, he listed his occupation as engineer and was living in Bounty at the time. He was the son of James Henry and Ellen Louise (Palmer) Cunningham. He came west in 1904, first settling in Arcola and then Bounty where he lived for the rest of his life, except for his service during World War I. Unfortunately, his service in the army was short-lived. On October 12, 1916, he was declared medically unfit at Camp Hughes. He and his wife Wilhelmina Downs Kemp had four daughters: Mabel Lenora, Margery Jane, Helen Victoria and Wilma Irene. Wilhelmina died in 1954. Charles Frederick Cunningham died on September 21, 1974, at the age of 87. He is buried in the Fertile Valley Cemetery close to Conquest.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==