Corporal Carter James (CJ) Thiessen
Southwest Asia Campaign Star
Combat Engineer
Afghanistan
Carter (CJ) was born 26 October 1990 in Morden, Manitoba to Andy and Tami Thiessen, brother to Brodie. CJ loved all things social. Even as a kindergarten student, he would walk into the classroom and you could hear a collective “CJ’s here!” He was involved in various sports throughout his childhood, but his favorite was hockey and remains a sport he enjoys playing to this day. As a child he often talked about joining the army, but it wasn’t until his last couple of years of high school that it became his purpose. At that time his father, Andy, was the Fire Chief in Morden. Carter was met with reservations from his parents about his future in the Army. He explained that, like his father becoming a firefighter in order to help people, that’s what joining the army meant to him.
Carter applied to the Canadian Armed Forces in the spring of 2008 and shortly after was offered a position to train as a Combat Engineer. He left home immediately following his high school graduation at the young age of 17. It wasn’t until 2 years later that he even needed to shave.
Carter did not come from a family with a military background so this was a difficult transition for his parents and grandparents. However, after the initial shock wore off, the pride took over. What helped immensely was the support of their local church family and the many friends and relatives that prayed continuously for CJ’s safety. This became very important once he was chosen to serve in Afghanistan. Before CJ left for basic training, he got a tattoo on his arm with his favorite and most meaningful bible verse …” I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Carter joined the Canadian Armed Forces in July 2008. He did his basic training in St. Jean, Quebec and was then stationed in Gagetown, New Brunswick. He immediately started training as a Combat Engineer and within 2 years was chosen to serve in Afghanistan as part of Canada’s last combat rotation in the Middle East. Carter was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2010, to join the Royal 22nd Regiment (Van Doos) Battlegroup in the provinces Panjwaii District. The regiment was known for its offensive fighting tactics and taking Taliban strongholds. Carter’s primary role as a Combat Engineer was to allow friendly troops to live, move and fight on the battlefield and deny that to the enemy. This involved clearing paths and roadways of IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices) in Taliban territory to allow the Battlegroup to advance freely and safely along the battlefield. Engineers, first in and last out of any combat situation.
When Carter returned from Afghanistan, he continued his education with the military and went on to achieve the position of Combat Diver, after completing a 2-week gruelling selection process. He finished his 5-year military career working as a Diver and EOD Operator II at the rank of Corporal.
Carter has since gone on to follow in his father’s footsteps and has become a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Brandon Emergency Services (EMS).
Trooper Don W. Thompson
1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp (CVSM), 1939-45 War Medal
The Fort Garry Horse
18 December 1915 – 28 September 2004
Don Thompson was born 18 December 1915 to William and Dorothy Thompson in Morden, Manitoba. They lived on the farm at 22 – 2 – 6 adjacent to what is now Stanley Park. Don farmed with his Dad until enlisting in the Army, The Fort Garry Horse, in 1941. The Fort Garry Horse is an Armoured Regiment and initial training was done in Borden, Ontario on the American 6 Ton M1917 Machines that had been built in 1918 and kept in storage at Rock Island Arsenal in the USA. As a driver/mechanic Don received this training before being shipped to England.
In England the Regiment continued training on the American M3 Lee and British Valentine tanks and also the Canadian developed Ram tank and in 1943 were issued the American Sherman tank, far superior to anything they had trained with. The Fort Garry Horse became part of the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade which was given a role as the vanguard in the coming invasion of Normandy: the Garry’s and the 1st Hussars, another armoured regiment, were the only Canadian armoured regiments selected to use the top secret “Duplex Drive” swimming Sherman tanks.
The Garry’s were among the first armour to land in Normandy on “D-Day” 06 June 1944. The regiment went on to distinguish itself in the allied advance through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. The regiment ended the war in the German city of Oldenburg, accepting the surrender of German troops in the area, May 1945 and later moving to Doetinchem in Holland where it remained until returning to Canada in November 1945.
While in England Don met Marion Hartley and they were married 09 October 1944. Don came home and was discharged in January 1946 and went back to the farm. Approximately 5 months later, Marion the war bride, followed and arrived 02 July 1946. They initially lived with Don’s parents. Don and Marion had 3 sons, Eric (Joanne), Dave (Evelyn) and Dale (Audrey). Don farmed a half section 16 – 2 - 6 and remained on that farm until he retired and moved to Morden in the spring of 1974. Marion was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary, served as President and was given a Lifetime Membership for her dedicated service. Don lived in his home at 236 12th Street and passed away in his residence 28 September 2004 at age 88.
Information supplied by son Eric and The Fort Garry Horse Regimental records.