Regimental No: R131829
Force: Air Force
Rae Erickson, the first son of Chris and Mabel Erickson, was born in Travers AB on May 14, 1921. He spent his early years, and completed his education, in Travers. After enlisting with the Royal Canadian Air Force on July 19, 1942, he was stationed at several bases within Canada. When he was discharged on May 8, 1945, Rae farmed with his father for one year, before buying his own farm in Rocky Mountain House. There he met his future wife, Margaret Stewart. (She was the twin sister of Marlene, who later married Rae’s brother, Stanley, also in the RCAF.) Rae farmed his land for five years. Margaret and Rae were married on May 4, 1951 in Rocky Mountain House. They sold the farm in April 1952, and moved to the Tangent AB area, where Rae obtained the land W-7-23-80-W5 from the Lassiter Project for veterans. The Ericksons had three children: Walter, Marilyn and Sandra. During his lifetime, Rae was active in many organizations. He played baseball, and was the manager of the Tangent Baseball Team. He was president of the R.E.A., secretary of Unifarm, a member of the Peace River Livestock Co-op, on the board of directors of the Fairview Angriculture College, a delegate for the Alberta Wheat Pool, and a member of the Eaglesham Royal Canadian Legion. Margaret was involved in U.C.W., Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion, Unifarm, and Alberta Wheat Pool. Rae passed away in June 2013 at the age of 92, in Grande Prairie.
Source: Smoky Peace Triangle p. 203, Photo p. 85