Jim Eastman joined the South Alberta Regiment in 1940, and took basic training in Edmonton AB. He was stationed in Dundurn SK, Nanaimo BC, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON, and Debert NS. Serving overseas, he fought in Belgium, Holland, and Germany. Jim was driving Major David Currie’s tank in St. Lambert Sur Dives in Normandy in a battle in August 1944, for which the Major won the Victoria Cross. After returning to Canada, Jim married Ivy Eileen Bone from Hythe AB, on June 9, 1948, settling in the Albright area to farm. They had two children: Joyce and Kenny. Times were hard for the family, so for nine consecutive winters Jim and Ivy worked outside the farm to supplement income. In 1957 they bought a herd of Holstein cattle and started a successful dairy business. In later years, Jim shared the business with Ken. For the last 14 years of their lives together, Jim and Ivy had a home in Phrump, Nevada where they spent the winters, golfed and gambled, and made many new friends. Jim passed away before Ivy who died September 25, 2016 in Beaverlodge.
Source: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 15
SPRA Personal and Family Life Reference Files – Obituary of Ivy