Regimental Number: M45315
Rank: Private
Jack was born on September 19, 1902 in Dunkerrin, Kings County, Ireland. Jack attended school in England following which he worked in a grocery store. He immigrated to Canada and arrived at St. John’s, New Brunswick on March 25, 1928. Once Jack arrived in the Peace River District, he filed a homestead application on NW 22-73-3-W6 on March 12, 1929 in an area of Bezanson known as Fitzsimmons. He stayed with Gene Gaboury until he built a small log house on his property. Jack assisted Gene with the farm work in exchange for the use of Gene’s horses and equipment to farm his own land. Jack received the patent on the property on February 25, 1935.
Jack joined the Army, South Edmonton Regiment, on June 12, 1940 at Edmonton. He underwent basic training in Dundurn, Sask. followed by a transfer to Nanaimo, BC. While there he met Alice Taylor (nee Bentley), a practical nurse, whom he subsequently married on April 2, 1941. Alice was a widow with two children. From there, Jack was transferred to Niagara followed by Debert, Nova Scotia and finally Camp Borden in Ontario where he embarked for the United Kingdom on June 13, 1942. In October 1943, Jack was transferred to the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations and eventually was sent to France. Jack arrived back in Halifax in July 1945. He was discharged on demobilization on September 11, 1945. Private John Baskerville received the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp. He served in Canada, United Kingdom, Central Mediterranean Area and Continental Europe.
Once discharged, Jack returned home and found employment as a manager at a Pulp Mill. He subsequently sold his land in Bezanson to Gene Gaboury. Jack and Alice had a son, Gary and a daughter, Frances; however they eventually divorced. He was an accomplished accordion player and loved to entertain. Jack passed away in Victoria on November 21, 1975 and was cremated.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Service File
Smoky River to Grande Prairie
Newspaper articles
BC Death Registration
BC Marriage registration