Image: Joe Yurkowski is 4th from right in the front row. In the second row the staff members are the four in the center. Charles John (Bud) Fessler is the 4th from the right in the third row. 1943 (SPRA 2005.052.06)
Regimental Number: 106673
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: Seaforth Highlanders
Bud was from Ponoka, AB, and enlisted in Edmonton on February 5, 1943. He was sent to TC 132 in Grande Prairie effective February 26, 1943.
Bud was transferred to CITC Calgary (A16) on April 27, 1943. He shipped overseas through Halifax on July 17, 1943 aboard the SS Louis Pasteur, landing in Plymouth, England.
Bud served with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada in North Africa, Italy, and Europe, seeing action at Ortona, the Liri Valley, the battles for the Gothic Line and was among the troops who liberated Amsterdam in May 1945. He returned to Canada in September 1945 and received an honorable discharge, as Lance Corporal, on November 12, 1945 in Calgary.
Following the war, Bud received a land grant in Ponoka through the VLA and worked briefly for his former comrade-in-arms E ‘Davie’ Fulton (Mjr) who served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General in the Diefenbaker government, before relocating to Crossfield AB, where he remained until his passing in 2004.
Bud was a proud and active member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Biographical information provided by Bud’s son-in-law, Gary Kiernan.
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.