Soldier Spotlight highlights veterans from the Archives’ online Soldiers’ Memorial. Each week, our volunteers select a remarkable individual to showcase in this new 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.
Rank: Captain
Branch: 49th Battalion
Clement “Jim” Mead was born in Balcombe, Sussex, England on July 25, 1880. He came to the South Peace in 1905; his filed on the following homesteads: 32-72-7-W6; 7-72-7-W6; 16-71-2-W6; 21-71-2-W6; 12-72-8-W6; 7-72-7-W6. In 1913, Jim married Kate Thompson. They had a daughter named Kathleen, born on March 14, 1915. Prior to serving in World War I, Jim had served in the Boer War. He secured a commission as a lieutenant in the 66th Battalion and was placed in command of the Grande Prairie contingent. In September of 1916 Jim was wounded in the foot. In August of 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross:
“Awarded the MILITARY CROSS for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when on command of a raiding company. He led his men with greatest courage and aggressiveness, reorganizing them in spite of severe casualties, and very largely contributes to the success of the raid.”
Jim was wounded a second time in October of 1917, this time receiving severe gunshot wounds to the face. He was killed in action in the trenches west of Lens on January 18, 1918.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 19-21; Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 147-150, 181-183; newspaper clippings (see Jim’s biography on our Soldiers Memorial for more links)
