Image: The Teepee Creek Stampede showing chuck wagon races, ca. 1948 (SPRA 2009.023.08)
Regimental Number: 14727
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: Fort Garry Horse; Corps of Military Police
George “Rusty” was born in Eckington, Derbyshire, England on August 17, 1890. In 1905 he came to Canada alone to join his brother in Winnipeg. He enlisted in the Canadian army in Valcartier in September of 1914. In September of 1915, Rusty felt foreign matter in right eye, he was unsure if it was dirt or piece of shell (the incident took place at Armentieres). He was sent to England in November and the doctor found that he had an ulcer caused by the presence of the foreign matter. Rusty spent a few months in hospital as a result and afterward served with military police in England. In 1919 Rusty filed on a homestead in the Teepee Creek area (7-74-3-W6 and 17-74-3-W6). A year later, in 1920, Rusty and his wife Gladys came by train to Sexsmith and settled on their homestead. Rusty was president of the Teepee Creek Stampede for a number of years, and in the 1940s trained 16 local girls who became known as the Teepee Creek Riding Girls. Rusty died on July 19, 1981.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1147, 906, Buffalo Trails p. 261; see articles in surname files
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Find A Grave
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.