Private Lawrence Walter Sager
1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
WW II
Lawrence Walter Sager was born in Stefko, Alberta 16 February 1924, the oldest of 6 children, born to Ralph and Martha (Jaeger) Sager. He had 2 sisters, Gladys (Bonar) and Evelyn (Odwazny) as well as 3 brothers, Donald, Gordon and Howard. Shortly after his birth his parents moved to the Thornhill Morden District where Lawrence was raised and educated.
On 11 November 1942, at the age of 18, Lawrence enlisted in the wartime Canadian Forces and became a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). After completion of basic training Lawrence was sent for advanced training and qualified as a driver. After his training he was sent to Italy and remained there with the PPCLI until 16 March 1945 when the regiment was transferred to France, arriving 18 March 1945. After the war he said to one of his brothers that he had walked the whole length of Italy, being in the infantry and considering the length of the campaign, it is entirely possible. According to his Soldiers Service Book, Lawrence was repatriated in June 1945.
Following the war he spent a short time at the home farm before heading to the mines and worked as a Diamond Driller in Northern Canada and Ireland. He lived in Sudbury, Ontario for approximately 20 years during which he married Millie Lafreniere, a girl from Esponola Bay, Ontario and they eventually settled in Espanola, Ontario. They had two children, Richard who lives in Sudbury, Ontario and Carole (Rawnyk) in Chelmsford, Ontario.
Lawrence Walter Sager died 09 May 1982 at the Espanola General Hospital. A memorial service was held on Friday, 21 May 1982 at Wiebe’s Funeral Chapel followed by Ash Internment beside his mother and father at Hillside Cemetery in Morden, Manitoba.
Private Edger William Sandercock
1939 – 1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp
Royal Canadian Army Service Corp
WW II
Edger was born eldest son to William and Emma (Boulton) Sandercock on 17 October 1916. He had 8 siblings, Mel, Bert, Marion (Patterson), Doug, Velma (Keith), Garry, Walter and Mavis (Cram). They grew up on the family farm in the Dunston area north west of Morden. Edger enjoyed driving the horses on the farm as well as playing baseball and hockey.
Edger enlisted 12 February 1942 in Winnipeg, Royal Canadian Army Service Corp (RCASC), and took his training as a Driver Mechanic in Red Deer, Alberta. The RCASC provided support to Canadian Soldiers wherever they went; training in Canada and Great Britain, the campaign in north-west Europe (Normandy) and the campaign in Italy. The RCASC moved supplies from the rear areas to the battle zone and wounded from the front lines to rear areas for medical attention. They delivered all rations, ammunition, petroleum products, and all other necessary equipment. They did so with a variety of vehicles ranging from 3 ton to 10 ton lorries (trucks) and 40 ton tank transporters, often under enemy fire. Edger’s first overseas posting was the UK. This was his first trip on an ocean vessel and the large troop transport was under constant threat from German U-boats. Not easy for a small town farm boy. Upon arrival they were billeted on a large English Estate. Many Family Estates were given to house Canadian soldiers and Edger recalled the many family portraits on the wood panelled walls and grand staircase. Edger’s duties included driving large lorries in convoys and ambulance trucks at the front lines, often under enemy fire. On one occasion he had all four tires shot out on his ambulance but kept driving to get his patients to a safe location.
After 43 months of service Edger was repatriated and released from the service. He purchased his farm from his Aunt with the help of a loan from the Veterans Land Act (VLA), the farm is located just north of Morden. He married Betty Knox shortly after, July 1949 and together they ran a very successful mixed farm. They had 2 children, Mark and Lynn. Edger and Betty were involved in 4H, the Morden Curling Club, the Morden United Church, the Royal Canadian Legion and numerous other groups.
Edger took special pride in marching on Remembrance Day and was always very proud of his service, sharing stories and history with his grandchildren. For many years after the war, their Corp held a reunion at the farm of Eddie Orchard in Miami, MB. They had a bond that lasted a life time.
Private Edger William Sandercock passed away 03 August 2012 and is buried at the Dunston Cemetery.
Information from family, Royal Canadian Army Service Corp history and Wikipedia.
Gunner Wilbert “Roy” Seymour
1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
Manitoba Mounted Rifles
Royal Canadian Artillery
47th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
WW II
Roy Seymour was born 09 April 1914 and raised in the district of Manitou. His parents were Lawrence and Ellen (Crane) Seymour. Roy was active in 4-H and attended Manitou school. In 1941 he married Beatrice Collins of the Darlingford district. They lived in Winnipeg and Roy worked at the Cordite Plant in Transcona. While working, he was a member of the Manitoba Mounted Rifles, a reserve unit, from July 1940 to March 1941.
Roy enlisted in the regular force 16 July 1942, training with the Royal Canadian Artillery in Portage la Prairie and Shilo before proceeding to England in December 1942. Upon completing his workup training in England he participated in the Italian campaign from November 1943 until January 1945 when the Regiment was sent to France by ship and then overland to Belgium and then Holland. Roy was a Gunner with the 47th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery a unit of the 5th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He was a member of a 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun Crew and was also a driver when equipment was moved between locations. His Battery arrived in the Netherlands in March 1945 and was there until hostilities ceased. Roy was repatriated in December 1945 and discharged in January 1946.
Upon return from the war, he farmed in the Orangehill district until 1979. He helped raise three sons, Larry, Ron, and Murray. He joined the Royal Canadian Legion, Morden Branch after the war and supported various activities of the Branch, be it the annual Legion Bonspiel, selling poppies, calling Bingo, or participating in events. Roy really enjoyed the Thursday night Bingo and the opportunity to socialize with all his friends.
Upon his retirement, Bea and Roy would spend their winters as snowbirds in McAllen, Texas. They also enjoyed their summers amidst the calmness and serenity of their cottage at Pelican Lake. In his later years, he and Bea were residents of Legion House One were Roy continued to be active with the Legion and willing to accept any challenge of a game of pool from his fellow members.
Wilbert Roy Seymour passed away 16 April 2008 and is buried at the Darlingford Cemetery.
Information submitted by Lieutenant Commander Lee Seymour of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Seymour family and from WW II Divisional and Regimental records.
Private George Arthur Simmons
1914-1915 Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal
Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians)
WW I
George Arthur Simmons was born 29 February 1896 to Arthur and Sarah Simmons and farmed with his father, in the Morden area, until enlistment. George served with the 18th Manitoba Mounted Rifles for 3 years prior to his enlistment for war service. The 18th Manitoba Mounted Rifles headquarters was in Winnipeg and they had squadrons in Dominion City, Portage la Prairie and Morden, Manitoba. At the start of WW I, the 18th Mounted Rifles was one of six cavalry regiments from across western Canada to provide detachments to help form the 6th Battalion for service in the first contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). The detachments gathered at Valcartier, Quebec in preparation for departure for Europe. Private Simmons signed his attestation papers 24 September 1914 in Valcartier, Quebec and was placed with the 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, H Company of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). His unit departed for the United Kingdom 3 October 1914.
In September 1914, the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), (LSH) (RC), mobilized for war. They embarked for England 3 October 1914, as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On 5 May 1915 they disembarked for France with the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and initially fought dismounted in an infantry role with the 1st Canadian Division. Private Simmons was transferred to the LSH (RC) 8 June 1915 at South Hampton, UK and joined the unit in France on the 14th. Shortly thereafter, he was admitted to the 1st Canadian Field Ambulance with influenza. He was returned to duty 30 June.
The Morden Times 8 August 1915
MORDEN LAD KILLED
George Simmons Dies of Wounds Received on Field of Action
Morden, Man. Aug 8 – Word was received here from the war office by Arthur Simmons that his son, George, had died of wounds which he received while fighting in France. Although Morden has proved to be one of the leading rural country recruiting points, this is the first report received here to the effect that a Morden boy had met his death at the hands of the Huns. George A. Simmons left Morden with the first contingent and although with the 6th Battalion for some time, was a member of the Strathcona’s Horse when he was injured in an artillery attack.
Private Simmons “Died of wounds received in action” 26 July 1915, at No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance. He was 19 years old. His medals were awarded posthumously and his mother was awarded the Memorial “Silver” Cross also known as the Cross of Sacrifice.
Private George Arthur Simmons is buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.
Information from, Library and Archives Canada, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) History and WW I casualty list, Morden Times.
Private Baden Herbert Spencer
190th Overseas Battalion
Royal Winnipeg Rifles (Little Black Devils)
WW I
06 May 1900 – 03 April 1963
Baden Spencer was born on 06 May 1900, in Morden Manitoba. He was the second of ten children of Earnest and Amanda Minetta (McDowell) Spencer, homesteaders from Ontario. Baden attended Lloyd George School and after obtaining a grade five education, he quit school to work on the family farm with his father on the northeast quarter 32-3-6 of Stanley Municipality, now known as the “Spencer Mountain”.
On 06 February 1917, Baden enlisted in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (also known as The Little Black Devils) 190th Overseas Battalion and was sent overseas. He served three months in France before his mother informed the army that her son was underage and he was discharged and sent home. On 24 December 1923 Baden married Edith Brinkworth from Roche Percee Saskatchewan. They farmed south of Miami Manitoba where their children Lyle Alexander (1926) and Leona Yvonne (1932) where born.
After farming several years, Baden and the family left the farm and he started working in construction, ending up as foreman of the Bentonite Mine (then situated on his parent’s farm). In 1946 Baden was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis, but continued to work even though he had to use crutches or a cane. In the late 1950’s he was diagnosed as having cancer, he passed away on 03 April 1963. He had pre-arranged that his cornea would be donated at his death, and this wish was carried out. Baden, before his MS, was a hardworking man, full of fun, loved to dance, play cards and drink a beer.
Baden Herbert Spenser is buried at Hillside Cemetery, Morden, MB.
Sergeant Chester Samuel (Sam) Southworth
1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry WW II
Sam Southworth was born 28 October 1922 in the Darlingford district, the third of four children of Edwin Southworth, a veteran of WWI, and Gladys Willmott Andrew. Sam grew up on the home farm until he was 13, when the family moved to Morden. He ended his schooling then, working for several families, and delivering the Winnipeg Tribune. He sawed, chopped, and stacked 10 cords of wood to earn money for a new Boy Scout uniform to wear when the Morden Troop met the King and Queen in Winnipeg in 1939.
On 29 April 1940 Sam enlisted with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Winnipeg, lying about his age as he was only 17. Training was at Fort Osborne Barracks, before shipping out to England later that spring. His battalion was posted to southern England until 1943, when they moved to Scotland to train as an invasion force. Sam trained in parachute landings, but as a married man, was not allowed to continue. Catherine (Kit) Jackson, from Crawcrook, County Durham, England, married Sam on 14 February 1942.
With 1st Division, 2nd Brigade Sam took part in the invasion of Sicily on 10 July 1943, and later battles, including Leonforte, as a Bren gunner. Sam was wounded four times, including a stomach wound at ‘Vino Ridge’, outside of Ortona, on 12 December 1943, when he was evacuated to North Africa for medical treatment, rejoining his unit in March 1944. He saw action in all major PPCLI battles throughout Italy (Gothic Line, Hitler Line, the Rivers) as well as the Liberation of Holland.
Sam arrived home in Morden 10 June 1945 and was discharged in Winnipeg on 18 July, with the rank of Sergeant. Kit joined him as one of 60,000 War Brides who came to Canada, arriving 24 August 1945. In 1946 they took over the family farm until April 1952, when they moved to Morden. Sam began work for the Dominion Experimental Farm, looking after the cattle. When cattle research was consolidated in Ottawa, he became a self-taught carpenter, eventually achieving journeyman status, continuing to work at the Research Station until his retirement in December 1984.
Sam was a leader of many volunteer activities. He held the post of District Coordinator of the Emergency Measures Organization for many years, with Kit as Secretary. As coordinator, Sam lead the annual fight against the flooding of the Dead Horse Creek, often commenting wryly on the wisdom of building the then hospital at the low end of town, with a ramp down to the emergency entrance! He was also part of the volunteer Fire Department for several years, including the year he fought a fire at his own home.
Sam’s love of sports was legendary; he refereed minor hockey, but was best known as an umpire, logging thousands of hours around the province. He was known for his honesty, even when one team was from Morden, and until the end of his life, was often approached and asked if he was ‘Crooked Sam’ the ump. He was instrumental in bringing Little League Baseball to Manitoba and was honoured for his efforts. When there were no organized teams for his daughters to play on, Sam helped start a girls’ softball league.
His involvement with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 began as soon as Sam returned from duty. He served in various posts, including Branch President and Zone Commander. He was a long-standing Sergeant-at-Arms of the Colour Party, but is perhaps best remembered as the Sports Convenor, organizing countless bonspiels, golf tournaments, darts and shuffleboard leagues, and youth sports for many years. Sam also served on the Board of Legion House One. He was awarded a Life Membership in recognition of his dedication.
Kit and Sam were married for 50 years, and had three daughters: Lynn, Dale, and Kelly. Kit passed away in August 1992, and Sam died on 11 March 2001. Though there are no longer Southworths in Morden, Sam’s many contributions to his community helped make Morden the city it is today.
Corporal Ralph Ernest Spencer
France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939 – 45 War Medal
Royal Winnipeg Rifles (RWR)
Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
WW II
Ralph was born 10 December 1920 and spent his whole life on the farm at Dunston in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Stanley until joining the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (RWR) in 1940. Like his siblings, he attended Lloyd George School in the RM of Thompson, a short distance from the family farm. A portion of the Spencer homestead is rich in pre-historic marine fossils and is currently a dig site for the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC). His parents, homesteaders from Ontario were Earnest and Amanda (McDowell) Spencer. Ralph’s father Earnest had been a Sergeant when he served with the Lisgar Rifles of Kemptville, Ontario. Earnest and Amanda Spencer had 10 children, Mildred 1898-1985, Baden 1900-1963 (served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles WW I), Sterling 1901-1971 (served with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps WW II), Cora 1903-1991, Myrtle 1912-1982 (served with the Royal Canadian Air Force WW II rank Sergeant), Orval 1914-1992, Velma 1915-1978, Helen Irene 1918-1990, Ralph 1920-1944, and Mervin 1924-1998.
Ralph met Hazel Ellen Martindale while working at Snowflake and they were married on 05 February 1940. Hazel was born 08 May 1922 at Snowflake, Manitoba. Ralph and Hazel lived in Earnest and Amanda’s first homestead house and the arrival of Karen Arlette, their first born, delighted Ralph. Ralph enlisted with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in June of 1940, 6 months after getting married and prior to his departure for the UK, a second child was on the way. A son, Bruce Spencer was born in 1942 while Ralph was in England.
Ralph did his training at Shilo, Manitoba and Debert, Nova Scotia and was sent overseas in August of 1941. He corresponded regularly with his mother and younger siblings Cora and Mervin. He had received a photo of Hazel and the children, from Cora, and was very proud of his family. He continue his training in England prior to “D” Day.
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were in the first wave that went ashore at Juno Beach and Corporal Spencer died of wounds inflicted during the invasion landings.
Corporal Ralph Ernest Spencer died Tuesday, 06 June 1944 and is buried at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, France and his grave number is 11.F.3. He is listed in the World War II Book of Remembrance in Ottawa, page 449. Lake Spencer, north of Lac Brochet, Manitoba, is named after him.
Information from family, Royal Winnipeg Rifle History and Library and Archives Canada.
Corporal Ralph Ernest Spencer
France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939 – 45 War Medal
Royal Winnipeg Rifles (RWR)
Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
WW II
Ralph was born 10 December 1920 and spent his whole life on the farm at Dunston in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Stanley until joining the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (RWR) in 1940. Like his siblings, he attended Lloyd George School in the RM of Thompson, a short distance from the family farm. A portion of the Spencer homestead is rich in pre-historic marine fossils and is currently a dig site for the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC). His parents, homesteaders from Ontario were Earnest and Amanda (McDowell) Spencer. Ralph’s father Earnest had been a Sergeant when he served with the Lisgar Rifles of Kemptville, Ontario. Earnest and Amanda Spencer had 10 children, Mildred 1898-1985, Baden 1900-1963 (served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles WW I), Sterling 1901-1971 (served with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps WW II), Cora 1903-1991, Myrtle 1912-1982 (served with the Royal Canadian Air Force WW II rank Sergeant), Orval 1914-1992, Velma 1915-1978, Helen Irene 1918-1990, Ralph 1920-1944, and Mervin 1924-1998.
Ralph met Hazel Ellen Martindale while working at Snowflake and they were married on 05 February 1940. Hazel was born 08 May 1922 at Snowflake, Manitoba. Ralph and Hazel lived in Earnest and Amanda’s first homestead house and the arrival of Karen Arlette, their first born, delighted Ralph. Ralph enlisted with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in June of 1940, 6 months after getting married and prior to his departure for the UK, a second child was on the way. A son, Bruce Spencer was born in 1942 while Ralph was in England.
Ralph did his training at Shilo, Manitoba and Debert, Nova Scotia and was sent overseas in August of 1941. He corresponded regularly with his mother and younger siblings Cora and Mervin. He had received a photo of Hazel and the children, from Cora, and was very proud of his family. He continue his training in England prior to “D” Day.
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were in the first wave that went ashore at Juno Beach and Corporal Spencer died of wounds inflicted during the invasion landings.
Corporal Ralph Ernest Spencer died Tuesday, 06 June 1944 and is buried at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, France and his grave number is 11.F.3. He is listed in the World War II Book of Remembrance in Ottawa, page 449. Lake Spencer, north of Lac Brochet, Manitoba, is named after him.
Information from family, Royal Winnipeg Rifle History and Library and Archives Canada.