August 29, 2023

Image: The mail stage, a wagon pulled by two horses, leaving Beaverlodge. Log buildings are visible in the background, ca. 1911 (SPRA 116.09.01.01.0818)

Benjamin Wellington Boyd
Regimental Number: 101246
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion, Alberta Regiment, Canadian Infantry

Benjamin was born to Thomas and Elizabeth Boyd on February 21, 1891 in Arundel, Quebec. Ben and his brother Joe worked for the Bell Telephone Company in 1909, constructing the main line from Winnipeg to Edmonton. They arrived in Beaverlodge in 1910 and wrote to their mother, Elizabeth Boyd Loudfoot (who had been twice widowed) to come out with her younger sons. Ben filed on SE 10-71-8-W6 on August 16, 1910. He proved up and enlisted in 1914. Ben received a shrapnel wound in his thumb on August 18, 1916 and less than two months later was killed in action at Courcelette on October 9, 1916. He is remembered at the Vimy Memorial in Pas-de-Calais, France.

Sources: Along the Wapiti p. 406; Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 103; Pioneers of the Peace p. 89

Joseph Robert Boyd

Regimental Number: 101217
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion

Joseph was born to Thomas and Elizabeth Boyd on January 15, 1884 in Arundel, Quebec. Joe and his brother Ben worked for the Bell Telephone Company in 1909, constructing the main line from Winnipeg to Edmonton. They arrived in Beaverlodge in 1910 and wrote to their mother, Elizabeth Boyd Loudfoot (who had been twice widowed) to come out with her younger sons. Joe filed on SW 10-71-8-W6 on May 26, 1910. He joined the Canadian forces in 1915 and was wounded overseas – first in the left shoulder on August 16, 1916 and again in the left hand on October 30, 1917 (both were gunshot wounds). He was promoted to the rank of sergeant on September 10, 1918, and in December of 1918, Joe’s mother received word that he had been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery on the battlefield. Joe married Edith Cassidy, a Lake Saskatoon schoolteacher, in February of 1920. The couple later moved to Prince George, BC, where Joe went into the lumber business. He died in Victoria on June 26, 1962.

Source: Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 103, 198; Along the Wapiti p. 406; Pioneers of the Peace p. 89

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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