LEST WE FORGET 177 HYYTIANEN, Johan “John” WWI A number of men from the New Finland District (between Whitewood and Rocanville) enlisted in World War I. John was born on November 20, 1881, in Heinjoki, Viipuri, Finland. John and his wife, Hulda (Forsberg), came to New Finland in 1902. His sister, Anna, came to join them in 1910. He was a farmer when he enlisted on May 29, 1916 with the 217th Overseas Battalion in Whitewood, Saskatchewan. He was 35 years old and left behind a wife and eight children ranging in age from two years to twelve years. He left Halifax aboard the Olympic on June 2, 1917 and was taken on with the 19th Reserve on June 10, 1917 and the 15th Reserve on October 14, 1917 in England. John was transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corp and served in England. He was awarded a Good Conduct Badge on August 29, 1918. He was discharged on June 4, 1919 and his daughter, Matilda (11 years old at the time) remembered the greatest excitement when her family met him at the train station. Johan died in Whitewood, Saskatchewan on June 13, 1949. He and his wife are buried in the New Finland Cemetery. John and his wife have many descendants still living in the district. IMPEY, WilliamTomas “Bud” WWI William was born in Swaley Road, London, England, on July 13, 1896. He joined the Army as a radio operator (Signalman) in 1915 and served in England and was discharged in 1918. He was captured by the Germans in Menchy and was a prisoner until the end of World War I. Being a signalman, he scouted ahead of the regiment and signalled back, that was how he was captured. William was also at the battle of Vimy Ridge. He passed away on December 4, 1976, and had been a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Shell Lake Branch 15 for fourteen years. ILLERBRUN, Leonard William WWII Leonard was born on January 18, 1923 at section 35-11-18W 3rd. He was drafted to the Army on December 11, 1942. He took his training in Vernon and Nanaimo, BC. He spent eighteen months in Jamaica with the Irish Fusiliers then was attached to the Prince Edward Island Highlanders. He was then sent to Debert, Nova Scotia into the Princess Patricia Infantry. He was sent overseas to the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Holland. He was discharged on May 8, 1946. Leonard passed away on April 11, 2006.
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