Image: Male members of the Sexsmith Legion. One photograph identified as Edgar Henning, Stanley Kulicki, Jock Thomson, Adam Grotkowski, ?, George “Knobby” Clark, Joe Shannon (seated), Fred Bohn, Charlie Stojan, Andy Innes, Danny Rycroft, Gordon Mates, Matt Chrenek. C. 1960. (SPRA 644.01.13)
Regimental Number: 441184
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 53rd Battalion; 32nd Battalion; 5th Battalion; 15th Canadian Reserve Battalion
Fred was born in Rosehill, Manitoba on October 29, 1886. He joined the Canadian forces in 1915. In May of 1916 a shell exploded near him and he received shrapnel wounds to his face and right eye. At this time it was also discovered that he had deformed toes and ingrown toenails, a painful ailment for a soldier. Fred was back in hospital for trench foot in November 1916, and it is noted on his medical records that he was very pale and suffering from fainting spells. On September 14, 1918, Fred was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Toward the end of the war, he volunteered to go to northern Russia, and it was late summer 1919 before he returned to Canada. At that time Fred came up to the LaGlace area and purchased SW 10-74-8-6. While in England during the war, Fred had met Agnes Gibson, an English girl, and the couple was married in January 1921 in Bridgeport, Connecticut at the home of Agnes’s uncle. They returned to the farm in LaGlace. Fred died in LaGlace in April of 1968.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 1147; LaGlace Yesterday and Today p.65; Buffalo Trails p. 206, 261
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.