Soldier Spotlight: Lieutenant Joseph Sauve

Image: excerpt from Joseph’s report card from officer’s training school (Library & Archives Canada)

Regimental Number: 447624
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: Canadian Mounted Rifles; Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Joseph was born in St. Genevieve, Quebec on January 25, 1889. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in Calgary in September of 1915. On July 9, 1917, Joseph was awarded the Military Medal. On page 30 of his service file, you can view a typed list of his transfers and other information; there is also a report card from officer’s training school on pages 43 and 44. He was said to be “thoroughly reliable and should make a good officer.” Around 1930, Joseph and his brother Leo settled on land about one and a half miles west of Eaglesham. Joseph died on June 26, 1947, having been injured by a falling tree.

Sources: Smoky Peace Triangle p. 372

Lieutenant J.P. Sauve was the first president of the Eaglesham Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, formed in 1936. He was instrumental in re-forming the club in 1947 to include Watino, Tangent and Eaglesham, but was killed in an accident before the charter was received. Royal Canadian Legion Sauve Branch 235 is named after him. (SPRA 327.01.01)

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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