December 13, 2022

Image: Arnold and Violet Dryer with two young children, ca. 1950 (SPRA 553.04)

Regiment: S.A.R. (Southern Alberta Regiment)
Regimental No: M 45567

Arnold Dryer, born on August 24, 1914 in Hanna AB, was one of 9 children of John and Margaret Dryer. In August 1931 he moved with his parents and siblings to the Peace Country by train, and they settled in the Glen Leslie area. For a few years Arnold helped neighboring farmers with threshing and other farm work. Around 1934 for 3 summers, he made the Stampede Circuit in Debolt, Wembley, Beaverlodge, Dawson Creek, Rycroft, Peace River, and Grande Prairie. In 1937 he started work for Pete Donahue, being a “jack of all trades”, until he joined the army in June 1940. He enlisted with the Southern Alberta Regiment in Grande Prairie and served overseas, where he was married to Violet from Farnham, Surrey, England, on August 23, 1945. Violet was in the W.A.A.F. in England. After his discharge in January 1946, Arnold returned to Canada, and his wife sailed to Canada, arriving in Grande Prairie on July 4, 1946. The couple had 3 children: Dale, Mark, and Ann. Arnold died at age 63 on November 28, 1977 in Grande Prairie, and was buried at the Grande Prairie Cemetery. (Arnold’s brothers Robert, William, and Dave also served in WW II, and his brother Jack served in the Korean War.)

Source: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 426-427
Herald Tribune July 11, 1946 p. 1 c. 5 (bride arrives)
(Bezanson Legion Hut – Legion Album)

Soldier Spotlight highlights veterans from the Archives’ online Soldiers’ Memorial. Each week, our volunteers select a remarkable individual to showcase in this blog series. The Soldiers’ Memorial commemorates more than 1,100 WWI veterans and 2,300 WWII veterans from our region. Three dedicated volunteers have contributed over 1,200 hours to this project by researching and writing biographies. Our goal is to have all South Peace soldiers acknowledged for their service. If you know of someone who lived in the South Peace and should be listed on the Memorial, or would like to get involved by researching a local veteran, please contact the Archives.

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