Image: A caption on the back of the photograph states: “Forrest Falk talking to Floyd Totten who is loaded up to go to his homestead in Glen Leslie. Picture taken at Robert Cochrane’s by “Becky” Sawyer in 1912.” (SPRA 032.08.08.0275)
Regimental Number: 83087
Rank: Private
Branch: Co. H 127th Infantry Regiment
Forrest Clinton Falk was born August 23, 1895 in Sumner, Iowa. When he was six years old, he was placed in the Lutheran Orphans’ Home in Waverly, Iowa by his father, but was retrieved two months later by his relatives. By the time he was 15, he had rejoined his father and was working at any odd jobs he could find in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
At the age of 17, Forrest traveled as a stowaway by train up to Edson, then drove a team over the Edson trail for Leonard Beard, a settler coming to Grande Prairie with his family. They arrived in September 1911. In 1912, he was joined by his father, John Frederick Falk. Father and son worked at proving up their homesteads over the next years, with Forrest working out as a ranch hand and a hauler on the trails. Forrest’s homestead was located at 21-72-5-W6.
On September 23, 1917, Forrest enlisted as a Private 1st Class for World War I at Deer Lodge, Montana. He fought at Cierges Fermes and Soissons in the Second Battle of the Marne in 1918, and was injured during this last raid at Juvigny, on August 30, 1918. He had received a wound to his left side, by a high explosive German 77mm shell. After 4½ months in an American Red Cross hospital in St. Aignon, France, he was released.
In 1927, Mr. Falk married Edith Catherine Paige.
Forrest died in Grande Prairie on December 12, 1980.
Sources: Edson to Grande Prairie Trail p. 156, 181; Pioneers of the Peace p. 151-154, 178
- Draft Registration
- Photograph (ca. 1912)
- Photograph (1913)
- Photograph (1914)
- Forrest Falk fonds
- Photograph Collection
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.