Regimental Number: B-629570
Rank: Sergeant
Jeff Dillabough was born in Port Sydney, Ontario on March 16, 1922. He completed Grade 8 at a rural public school in 1937. Jeff then worked on his father’s farm except for seven months when he worked as a welder’s helper. He enrolled with the Canadian Army on March 24, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario. While in basic training, he met Bertha Proffitt who had enlisted with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) and had been transferred to Ontario. Jeff and Bertha were married on January 2, 1945. For further training, Jeff was transferred to Camp Borden in Ontario followed by Otter Point, Terrace, Esquimalt and Vancouver, BC before being transferred back to Toronto. Private William Gerald Dillabough served in Canada and was discharged on March 30, 1946. He received the War Medal 1939-45. Once discharged, the young couple settled on Bertha’s homestead land that was located in an area of Bezanson known as Fitzsimmons. They built a house and eventually acquired three more quarter sections of land and farmed for many years. Jeff and Bertha had seven children: Geraldine, Deborah, Murray, Russell, Neil, Rhonda and Brenda. In 1980, Bertha became very ill and Jeff retired from farming so that he could care for her in their home. Bertha passed away in 1986 and was buried at the Glen Leslie Cemetery. Shortly thereafter, Jeff moved in with his children. Jeff passed away on July 17, 1999 in Grande Prairie and was buried at the Glen Leslie Cemetery near Bezanson.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Glen Leslie Cemetery Website
Smoky River to Grande Prairie (photo
AGS Obituary Index