Image: Two trucks on a hairpin turn on the Alaska Highway, 1945 (SPRA 1994.10.1c)
Regimental Number: 105493
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Canadian Railway Troops
Reginald was born in England on May 31, 1898 (he wrote 1897 on his attestation paper, but a letter in his service file corrects this information). It is unknown when he first came to Canada, but he enlisted in Regina in December of 1915. His brother William served in the British Army. Reginald was received gunshot wounds to his left arm on October 5, 1916 at the Somme. In 1919, he filed on the eastern half of 31-71-10-W6 and NW 36-71-11-W6. On November 18, 1931, Reginald married Alpha Thoreson. They had no children. Reginald served in the Canadian Army in World War II. After he returned, the Bairds moved to Vancouver where Reginald started a business hauling sawdust from the mills to homes that heated with sawdust. He eventually sold this business and went up the Alaska Highway as a carpenter for the Air Force. Alpha died in Dawson Creek. For a time, Reginald moved back to the west coast, but he eventually returned to Beaverlodge where he died in 1970.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Supplement p. 16
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.